Commisssioner of the Customs Authority on the sidelines of the “handover and takeover” of the General Secretariat of the World Customs Organization in Italy:
We look forward to completing the process of the World Customs Organization in facilitating the movement of international trade.
All appreciation is given to the efforts of the former Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization and we wish success to the new Secretary-General.
Updating the strategic plan of the World Customs Organization to meet the aspirations of those dealing with the customs system. Modernizing the World Customs Organization with a more comprehensive, flexible and appropriate approach to current global challenges. Celebrating theme of the World Customs Day reflects the importance of completing international cooperation to achieve everyone’s interests.
Reducing “red risks” requires a comprehensive methodology to be implemented by the member countries of the World Customs Organization.
Commissioner of the Customs Authority holds a number of bilateral meetings to discuss customs issues of common interest.
Egypt supports the “standardized definition of resilience” in order for member states to become more capable of dealing with crises, promoting the transition to “green customs” within a national strategic plan extending for three years from 2023 to 2026.
Developing the system of control over imports of environmentally hazardous materials, goods, parts, and components.
El-Shahat Ghatouri, Commissioner of the Egyptian Customs Authority, confirmed that we look forward to completing the process of the World Customs Organization in facilitating the movement of international trade, by working to strengthen ties between member countries, exchanging experiences, and deepening cooperation between customs administrations, expressing his appreciation for the efforts of Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary-General of WCO, which reflected his dedication to work over the course of 15 years, and wishing Ian Saunders, the new Secretary-General of WCO, success during his next term; in order to achieve the goals of the World Customs Organization.
He pointed out, on the sidelines of the “handover and takeover” activities of the General Secretariat of the World Customs Organization in Italy, that international customs administrations are striving to update the strategic plan of the World Customs Organization, in a way that meets the aspirations of those dealing with the customs system, noting that the constructive ideas, practices and various international experiences and common solutions proposed from Member countries, it is a new starting point that effectively contributes to the modernization of the WCO with a more comprehensive, flexible and relevant approach to current global challenges.
He said that the World Customs Organization’s choice of the theme “Customs engagement with existing and new partners” to celebrate World Customs Day, which falls on January 26 of each year, reflects the importance of completing international cooperation to achieve the interests of all.
He added that reducing “red risks” requires a comprehensive methodology, implemented by the member countries of the World Customs Organization, so that this pivotal goal is included in the modernization programs currently scheduled by the organization, praising the efforts of the General Secretariat and members in cooperation with the Audit Committee to quickly adopt the treatment plan and implement the procedures to reduce these risks, taking into account that some mitigation measures have a significant positive impact in reducing risks.
On the other hand, commissioner of the Egyptian Customs Authority held bilateral meetings with Ian Saunders, the new Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization, the Vice President of the US Customs for International Relations, the President of Jordanian Customs, customs officials in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, China, and the United Kingdom, and other heads of customs and other departments, during which he discussed a number of customs issues of common interest, in a way that contributes to strengthening bilateral cooperation in all areas of customs work.
El-Shahat Ghatouri stressed that Egypt supports the “standardized definition of resilience” and agrees to include it in the customs terminology of the World Customs Organization as one of the effective mechanisms that make member countries more capable of dealing, adapting, recovering and emerging from natural or human-caused disasters; in a way that ensures the continued provision of vital services and goods in light of these crises.
He said that the Egyptian Customs Authority is working to enhance the transition to “green customs” within a national strategic plan extending for three years from 2023 to 2026, and is committed to implementing the greener harmonized system, by developing the system of control over imports of environmentally hazardous materials, goods, parts and components, and implementing the customs tax category is 2% of the value or the imposed import tax, whichever is lower, on what is imported by factories that produce electric buses and cars that run on natural gas, stations for fueling vehicles with electricity or natural gas, components for converting vehicles with electricity only or with natural gas, environmental monitoring equipment, and its spare parts, renewable energy equipment and components (wind and solar).
He pointed out that Egyptian Customs attaches special importance to protecting data and information related to electronic security, and allows the exchange of information and electronically secured data between the Customs Authority and state-affiliated entities or external parties with which agreements have been concluded stipulating this, praising all data initiatives of the World Customs Organization, most notably the preparation of best practice guide draft for exchanging customs data between WCO Member countries; in a way that enhances electronic security measures and increases confidence between authorized economic operators and customs.
He explained that we seek to implement the best practices in the field of cross-border e-commerce, by concluding memorandums of understanding with express shipping companies to implement the best practices to support e-commerce, expand the new “risk management” system at all customs ports, and apply the best international practices in the modern x-ray examination system; in a way that contributes to accelerating the pace of releasing goods without detection or inspection through the “green path”, with the possibility of post-clearance and payment of customs duties before the arrival of the goods.
