Based on the priorities of the revised WCO Mercator Implementation Plan for Zimbabwe, endorsed by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) in September 2017, the WCO delivered a training workshop on Customs Project Management 29 January to 2 February 2018 in Harare. The aim of this training was to support ZIMRA in strengthening its training, human resources and project management capacities to respond to the provisions and challenges related to the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA).

The training provided an opportunity for 18 officers (7 females and 11 males) to increase their knowledge of best practices and modern techniques in specific areas of Customs Project Management with the ultimate aim to support ZIMRA’s effective implementation of international trade facilitation standards. Most of the officers undertaking this training will be in charge of managing reform and modernization projects linked to the Mercator Implementation Plan and will therefore have an opportunity to immediately apply their newly acquired project management skills.

The Commissioner Representative of ZIMRA highlighted in his opening and closing remarks, the timely importance of this training considering Zimbabwe’s process to ratify the WTO TFA is currently underway in Parliament. ZIMRA expressed its appreciation for the delivery of the training, noting the need to increase awareness among the senior and executive management on the importance of project management, in particular project governance. The workshop was jointly funded by the HMRC-WCO-UNCTAD Programme and the Finland ESA Programme II.

The WCO looks forward to continuing its collaboration with ZIMRA under the framework of the Mercator Programme.