As the East African Community (EAC) Regional Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme begins to take shape, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the EAC Secretariat ensure the involvement of stakeholders within the region in the programme. The participation of stakeholders is key to the implementation of the program and their involvement has been targeted through a number of sensitisation workshops that take place as part of the WCO – EAC CREATe project as funded by Sweden.
In order to ensure the participation of all relevant stakeholders, 116 participants from Rwanda and Uganda, representing Customs, Trade and other Government Agencies, attended the most recent sensitisation sessions that were held at the Customs Borders of Rusumo, Gatuna and Katuna in Rwanda from 10th – 14th October 2016.
The workshops provided a forum for Customs to communicate directly with other Government Agencies and the Trade community on the critical elements that impact the implementation of the regional AEO program. It also provided the participants the opportunity to learn about other regional and international developments that are taking place in the area of trade facilitation and safety of the international trade supply chain, including the WTO TFA.
For more information about this activity or the project, please contact the WCO-Sweden Programme Director, Mr. Richard Chopra (Richard.chopra@wcoomd.org)