The 4th Executive Programme in Customs & Business Administration (EPCBA) was held from 13th February to 30th March 2018 at Seoul National University, Korea. This particular session brought together 10 participants from 10 developing countries that had been selected from a highly competitive process. Represented countries included Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal and Tanzania.
With the successful conclusion of this session, about 40 officials from 38 developing countries have benefited from this Programme since its launch in May 2015.
The EPCBA targets management-level officials of developing customs administrations and seeks to provide theoretical frameworks of international trade and business management so that they can address Customs challenges from a more holistic and systematic perspective. It also includes practical information and knowledge regarding Customs affairs, such as the World Customs Organization (WCO) International Standards, Instruments and Tools, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
During the closing ceremony, Mr. Taeil KANG, Director General, Information and International Affairs Bureau of Korea Customs Service (KCS), Mr. CheloHee Park , the Dean of Graduate School of International Studies and Mrs. Brenda Mundia, Deputy Director, WCO Capacity Building Directorate, delivered congratulatory remarks to the participants for successfully completing the Programme and urged them to apply the acquired knowledge and skills for the benefit of their respective customs administrations. Mr. Taeil KANG further reaffirmed the commitment of Korea Customs Service to continue supporting the programme stressing that it had proved beneficial for both the participants and their respective administrations. The WCO also thanked KCS for the continued support and welcomed the new partnership with SNU as it was the first time the University had conducted the Programme.
The participants also benefited from the last lecture on “WCO support for customs reform and modernization through Capacity Building” that was delivered a day before the closing ceremony. This lecture provided practical information on activities, available support and how to engage with the WCO. It also served as a wrap-up lecture to the seven-weeks of academic sessions, including a WCO facilitated Leadership and Management Development (LMD) workshop that is an integral part of the Programme.