The SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), under the auspices of the WCO Mercator Programme, organized a follow-up Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) Remote Technical Assistance to examine the progress made by the Direction of Taxes and National Customs of Colombia (DIAN) since the last workshop held in November 2020. The objective was also to provide further support on strengthening the Administration’s capacities on the WCO PCA concept, as well as guidance on the implementation of the WCO PCA Diagnostic tool.
With an eye on enhancing the understanding of the PCA concept to strengthen the DIAN’s PCA processes and capabilities in line with international best practices and standards, this allowed the WCO experts an opportunity to present the benefits of a competent PCA strategy/framework and infrastructure to the DIAN.
During this two-day assistance, the experts reviewed the DIAN’s current PCA practices and the Customs Officers were successfully trained on the WCO PCA concept. This activity also gave directions on how to apply the diagnostic tool in the PCA implementation. Indeed, this platform could provide opportunities for DIAN officers to understand and implement the Diagnostic tool to improve their Administration’s work on PCA, with a view to re-design, identify and evaluate PCA operation effectively.
Finally, the interactions with the experts contributed to strengthening PCA capacities within the DIAN and to identify areas of opportunity on the current procedures undertaken. In parallel, ways to enhance the PCA infrastructure and next steps to develop PCA scheme in their administration for the longer term were considered throughout the mission. This assistance should be followed by more activities in 2022, including an in-country mission as soon as travel restrictions are lifted.
For more information on the GTFP please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org