The Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat reached two cooperation arrangements with Saudi Arabia and South Africa while leading a delegation to attend the 92nd Session of the Policy Commission and the 145th/146th Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) Sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium.
In the capacity of the WCO Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific Region, Chan met with the WCO Secretary-General Ian Saunders, the WCO Council Chairperson Edward Kieswetter and other regional WCO Vice-Chairpersons, as well as Chief Executive and Comptroller of the New Zealand Customs Service Christine Stevenson.
They exchanged views on various subjects concerning customs policies and future development.
Meanwhile, Chan signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Mutual Recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programs with the Governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step towards the extension of the AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement network in the Middle East.
The cooperation not only strengthens the trade ties between the two places but also enhances the competitiveness of reciprocal AEOs to tap into overseas markets.
The signing of the MOU brings the total number of MRAs and MOUs ratified between Hong Kong Customs and other Customs administrations to 17.
In addition, the customs chief signed a MOU regarding cooperation and mutual administrative assistance with Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, which aims to strengthen information exchange to combat cross-boundary crimes and promote closer ties in trade facilitation.
Chan and the delegation concluded the six-day trip on Saturday (Jun 28).
(Nathan Leung)
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