On 29 January 2021, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesia Customs) participated in an online ceremony to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on the establishment of a WCO Regional Training Centre (RTC) and WCO Regional Customs Laboratory (RCL) in Indonesia. The signing ceremony took place as part of the virtual celebrations to mark the International Customs Day hosted by Indonesian Customs.
The MoU for the RTC was signed by Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General, and Mr. Rionald Silaban, Chairman of Indonesia’s Financial Education and Training Agency. The MoU for the establishment of the RCL was signed by Secretary General Mikuriya and Mr. Heru Pambudi, Director General of Indonesia Customs.
Secretary General Mikuriya highlighted that investment in human resources in the current pandemic situation will contribute to strengthen Customs resilience. He welcomed Indonesia’s timely initiative to establish an RTC and RCL, adding that he was convinced that the regional members will greatly benefit from these new regional structures. These structures will also help to develop connectivity and build capacity in the region, together with the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) in Thailand. Dr. Mikuriya congratulated Indonesia for its leadership role in the region.
During the signing ceremony, Mr. Pambudi expressed the commitment of Indonesia Customs to use of the RTC and RCL as key hubs for Customs officers to build regional networks and contribute to regional development. In addition, they said that information and best practices would be shared to enhance efficiency in revenue collection, protect the society and the environment, as well as facilitate trade.
The Finance Minister of Indonesia, Ms. Sri Mulyani Indrawati, acknowledged the importance of Customs to enhance the efficiency of the global supply chain and build capacity in order to assist in the recovery process following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ceremony saw congratulatory video messages by other Heads of Customs administrations in the region.