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The Maldives Customs Service (MCS), in collaboration with the World Customs Organization Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (WCO ROCB A/P) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), held a national workshop under the WCO-ADB joint subregional train-the-trainer on Customs valuation multiyear assistance initiative on 24-28 January 2016. This Workshop follows on from the First National Expert Mission on Customs Valuation in the Maldives, held by MCS in May 2015, where MCS trainers in Customs valuation prepared a training program and materials for use in onward training to MCS, with technical guidance from WCO.

MCS trainers successfully organized, led and delivered a 3-day national workshop to 18 MCS field officers deployed in the Customs valuation area, using priority modules of their tailor-made training program (the full program of six modules will routinely be delivered over 7 days), and training techniques and skills acquired during the WCO-ADB joint subregional multiyear assistance initiative.

To deepen the technical knowledge and experience on Customs valuation of MCS project core members as national trainers, the national workshop was preceded by interactive training sessions provided by senior technical experts of the WCO on the WCO Revenue Package, together with additional guidance on effective valuation controls.

On Wednesday 27 January, Commissioner General of MCS, Mr. Mohamed Junaid hosted the MCS celebration to mark International Customs Day 2016, introducing the WCO theme of “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement”, and outlining MCS priorities in this area. The new MCS training program and kit delivered under the WCO-ADB multiyear initiative was officially launched, as was the MCS Customs Accredited Client Program.

In 2013, ADB and WCO ROCB A/P launched the joint subregional initiative to support participating countries’ efforts to strengthen efficient management of Customs valuation control through the use of post-clearance audit. The first WCO-ADB Joint Subregional Workshop was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in February 2014, and the second Joint Subregional Workshop was held in Male, the Maldives 22–24 October 2014. SASEC provides a regional platform for this multiyear initiative through implementation of the SASEC Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework, approved by members in 2014.

Funding for the National Workshop was provided through technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank.

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News: Maldives Customs