Commonwealth, WCO firm up customs cooperation

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) signed a Protocol of Intent to enhance cooperation between the two organizations.

The signing took place in Moscow October 22, 2012. It was attended by the Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya, and the Executive Secretary of the CIS, Sergei Lebedev.

This Protocol forms part of the WCO’s partnership approach to promote its global Customs standards as essential measures to facilitate regional integration and cooperation, the organization said in a press release October 25, 2012.

“Customs plays a crucial role in economic integration,” said WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya.

“While the CIS will promote WCO instruments among its members to promote economic integration and cooperation, the WCO will provide assistance where appropriate in the implementation of its tools,” he added.

The CIS currently comprises 11 member states, all former Republics of the erstwhile Soviet Union.

By Ekow Quandzie