Customs President attends WCO virtual meeting

Manama, Apr. 25(BNA): Customs President Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa participated in an online emergency meeting which was held by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), via teleconference. The meeting focused on the alternative measures for organisation to continue operating and assuming its duties as the world grapples with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which led to closure of airports and the suspension of flights to Brussels which hosts the WCO headquarters. The session discussed the postponement of the meeting of the WCO Policy Committee and the Council of the Organization, which was due to be held at the end of next June. It was decided to delay the key resolutions related to approving the WCO operational budget and voting procedures to choose the president of the organization council, the director of the Tariff and Commercial Affairs Department,the head of the Finance Committee and the head of the audit committee. Customs President, WCO Vice President, Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa said that the organization would continue work to enhance efficiency, develop and maintain standards and support customs regulations and procedures, especially in light of the current health situation. He stressed coordination between member states and the organization to raise key issues that contribute to enabling customs officers to perform their duties and functions in facilitating and securing trade.