From 26 October to 21 November the East African Community (EAC) delivered an awareness-raising programme on the role of Customs in combatting the COVID-19 crisis. The EAC joined forces with the WCO to conduct a series of workshops for Customs officers of nine (9) border posts, other government agencies, and private sector stakeholders in the East African region, in the context of the EU-WCO Programme for the Harmonized System (HS) in Africa.
The objective of the workshops was to increase the awareness of relevant stakeholders at the borders on COVID-19 prevention measures to ensure uninterrupted flow of vital medical supplies as well as international trade in general. The workshops sought to update the participants on various EAC initiatives to implement international agreements and standards aimed at facilitating free movement of goods.
The workshops highlighted the relevance of the WCO HS classification reference for COVID-19 medical supplies, the importance of using electronic tariff tools, and the benefits offered by advance ruling systems and other trade facilitation initiatives. The role of Customs instruments in facilitating trade and their use by different stakeholders was the main topic of the workshops.
They were attended by over 400 stakeholders from the EAC Partner States.
Story by: Riaan de Lange
