EU-WCO Harmonized System training for 12 custom officers underway 

Speaking at the opening event, Yankuba Darboe, the commissioner general, GRA, recalled the workshop as second of its kind within the framework of the EU-WCO programme for the Harmonized System in Africa (HS-Africa Programme), funded by the European Union as part of the comprehensive package of assistance to support GRA’s work on building capacity of staff and clearing agents on Harmonized System classification.

Given the successes and gains registered in the first round, he thanked each and every one of them for their hard work and cooperation so far.

He also acknowledged the outstanding contribution of WCO HS experts and the tariff specialists in making the first round the success that it was. He further expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the European Union for providing the funding.

Mr. Darboe recalled that the first round of training was held from February 27th to March 3rd 2023 with 22 officers from across different areas in Customs and three clearing agents on HS Foundation. “This has given them a basic but significant understanding of HS and made them better prepared for this second round of the workshop.”

“We are expected to continue discussions on the general interpretative rules and other important items offered on the agenda,” he said. “This round of the workshop will further increase the capacity and knowledge of our officers and clearing agents in the areas of tariff and classification.”

“In principle, getting familiar with the customs tariff and its classification process can help to lower the potential for misclassification leading to wrong valuation which will eventually give rise to a significant fall in the actual revenue collection,” he pointed out.

For her part, Sujin Yuk, technical officer, tariff and trade affairs, Directorate World Customs Organisation, said: “The overall objective of the programme is to provide African countries and other stakeholders involved in the HS implementation process with the required organisational capacities,” she stated.

“Our work with The Gambia, either under the regional component with ECOWAS or the national engagement has been exemplary and comprehensive to ensure sustainability and contribute in the modernisation of tariff classification infrastructure and capacity building.”

According to her, the workshop bears different symbolic implications such as manifestation of commitment and ownership from the administration to uplift the capacities and skills of its staff.

She added that it is an excellent example of continuity in cooperation and partnership, recalling that the first diagnostic mission was conducted in 2019 which concluded with the accession of the Gambia to the HS Convention and was followed with several activities such as the participation to the HSC and the launch of the cycle of trainings.

“This collaboration and consistency in technical assistance was only possible thanks to the partnership and support from the EU. As you know, the EU-WCO Programme for the Harmonized System in Africa (HS-Africa Programme) is a multi-stakeholder initiative, funded by the EU and implemented by the World Customs Organization.”