ACP PRESS RELEASE: 4 February 2011 – The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium to facilitate trade among ACP member-States, and accelerate the modernization of customs administrations and coordinate efforts to provide joint trainings and capacity building activities in the ACP States.

Secretary-General Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas signed the MOU with his counterpart from the WCO, H.E Mr. Kunio Mikuriya.

Dr Chambas said while the WCO seeks to facilitate international trade through the use of international instruments, adoption of best practices and programmes for modernization of Customs techniques; the ACP Secretariat is committed to promote the socio-economic development of its member-States by providing an enhanced environment conducive to private-sector development and investment as well as facilitating their successful integration into the World economy.
“In view of the above, the ACP and the World Customs Organization have agreed to establish a mutually supportive relationship which will contribute to the development of trade and the well-being of their member-States,” Secretary-General Chambas said.
Mr Mikuriya said that he was pleased to sign the MOU as it was timely and beneficial to establish regular contacts.
The signing was presided over by the Chairman of the Committee of Ambassadors and Ambassador of Nigeria, H.E Mr. Usman Alhaji Baraya.
Prior to the signing, Mr Mikuriya took the opportunity to do a presentation of the WCO’s different areas of competence and expertise followed by exchanged of views with the ACP Committee of Ambassadors.

For details contact ACP Press Attaché Robert Iroga iroga@acp.int