Qatar’s Customs Training Center is now a regional centre of WCO

QNA Doha The General Authority of Customs, and the World Customs Organization (WCO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accredit Qatar’s Cu...

QNA DohaThe General Authority of Customs, and the World Customs Organization (WCO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accredit Qatar’s Customs Training Center as a regional training centre with the WCO that works with the latest internationally-approved training specifications.The MoU was signed by Chairman of the General Authority of Customs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal and Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization Dr Kunio Mikuriya during a meeting held via video conference.Commenting on the agreement, Jamal said that the signing of the MoU represents an exceptional event in view of the importance the authority attaches to training and developing its human cadres, recognising the importance of enhancing capacity building and raising the efficiency of customs administrations in the countries of the region to carry out their tasks and responsibilities effectively, especially in light of the increase in the volume of global trade and its changing patterns, and the need for more facilitation measures, which require more international and regional cooperation to provide a useful framework to enhance customs efficiency and build capacity, in accordance with best international practices and standards.He said the accreditation of the Customs Training Center in Qatar as a regional centre is a culmination of the efforts made by the centre and the continuous achievements it has achieved since its establishment in 2007.He added that the centre will be a qualitative addition and make a distinctive contribution to building and strengthening the capabilities of customs workers in the countries of the region during the coming period.For his part, Dr Mikuriya expressed his happiness with the presence of a regional training centre at the level of the Customs Training Center in Qatar.He expressed appreciation for the role of the authority and its clear efforts during the past 10 years, as well as its great cooperation with the World Customs Organization, especially in the field of qualitative electronic training courses supervised by the organisation.He underlined that the World Customs Organization has great expectations that this centre will be a leader and pioneer in the region, and that it will be a distinguished role model for customs administrations in the world. Dr Mikuriya stressed that the Qatari customs have drawn the world’s attention with their great achievements in supporting and preparing cadres and advanced training mechanisms in the region.Mubarak Ibrahim Al Buainain, director of the Customs Training Center and regional coordinator of the Capacity Building Programme, explained that the project to establish a regional centre was a specific goal pursued by the authority for some time, in light of the increasing challenges facing the customs authorities and administrations to implement the requirements of the World Customs Organization in the field of capacity building.He stressed the importance of this regional centre in advancing the requirements of the capacity building programme, so that human outputs comply with the international standards, which directly contribute to raising the positions of countries in the region in international indicators and reports.He noted that the centre will have an important role in coordinating and cooperating with relevant regional and international organisations and institutions, and building solid bridges based on securing specialised programmes to create a generation of qualified workers in various customs specialties.