Netherlands’ donation for the benefit of the WCO West and Central Africa region
June 2009
On June 2nd 2009 an arrangement between the Netherlands Minister for Development Corporation and the World Customs Organization entered into force aiming at assistance to the Customs organizations in the West and Central Africa region.
With a total amount of EUR 990.895 the Government of the Netherlands contributes to the setting up of a WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building and further enables the regional Members' participation in management development programmes.
This fund sets the ground for the Regional Office for Capacity Building to be operational and to soon establish assistance to the regional Customs services in building capacity to contribute to regional political, social and economic objectives.
It is further planned that through participation in WCO management development concepts the Customs mid and senior management of the region will be strengthened in their efforts of leading reform and modernizing their organizations.
On June 25th 2009 -during a meeting of the Directors General of the West and Central Africa region- the WCO Secretary General, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya officially handed over the contract documentation to the Head of the Regional Office for Capacity Building in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Souleymane Sangare.
Both, Mr. Mikuriya and the Vice Chair of this region, the Director General of the Senegal Customs service, Mr. Armand J.-J.Nanga, expressed their appreciation towards the Netherlands and the expectation of a fruitful and efficient cooperation under this arrangement.
In a comment the Director of Capacity Building, Mr. Lars Karlsson says:
"I am very grateful for the large and very important financial contribution from the Government of the Netherlands for our West and Central Africa region. The decision from the Dutch Government shows strong leadership and is very welcome. This is a region that so far has only received limited financial support and this new contribution will boost the activities and the capacity building support for the region. I am very happy about the generous contribution form Netherlands which signalize a breakthrough for Customs capacity building in this important region".