In support to Sudan’s endeavours to consolidate a comprehensive trade facilitation reform, the WCO together with UNCTAD delivered a technical assistance mission in Khartoum, Sudan from the 14th to the 18th of August, 2016. The mission was delivered under the HMRC-WCO-UNCTAD Project, with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom through Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The event was attended by more than 40 participants from Sudan’s Customs Authority and other government agencies; the private sector; and regional organisations.
The opening of the event was addressed by Sudan’s Minister of Trade, His Excellency Ambassador, Salah MOHAMAD AL HASSAN. He highlighted the importance of this training programme for the NCTF to develop a roadmap for trade facilitation reform with a focus on enhancing coordinated border management. He further mentioned that Sudan is committed to the implementation of international standards on trade facilitation. The representative of the Customs Authority, Major General, Dr Bashir ATTAHIR, reiterated the commitment of Customs to work closely with other government agencies particularly through the NCTF to successfully facilitate trade in Sudan.
As part of the technical mission, the WCO conducted a 2-day Workshop on stakeholder engagement in the context of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF). The Workshop comprised several presentations and intensive group exercises addressing the different phases of the consultation process, with a view to raise awareness of the importance of stakeholder engagement and enhance the skills of the NCTF members on successful consultations.