On 06 March the WCO announced that Tunisia Customs would host the next PICARD Conference in Tunis, Tunisia, from 26 to 28 September 2017.
Along with its notification the WCO published the 2017 PICARD Conference Call for Papers.
Although not required, submitters could consider focusing on one of four overarching themes:
Data Analysis was selected as the WCO’s annual theme for 2017, in recognition of the crucial role it plays in the Customs context, underpinning virtually all functions of a Customs administration. Data analysis can improve risk management which supports enhanced detection of irregularities, illicit consignments, the suspicious movement of people and financial flows, and the facilitation of legitimate trade; it can provide a comprehensive analysis of historical activity to predict trader or passenger behaviour; assist in the collection of quantitative research for purposes of building knowledge; and enhance performance measurement to improve officer practices and integrity. Data analysis can provide a robust foundation for the core Customs’ objectives of revenue collection, border security, collection of trade statistics, and trade facilitation.
The Trade Facilitation topic refers to methods for improving the efficiency of border procedures, including but not limited to, Risk Management, Single Window, Post-Clearance Audit (PCA), and advance rulings. Sub-themes include measuring the impact of trade facilitation measures (on average clearance times, trade costs, trade volumes, trade security, transparency, revenue, etc.); obstacles to implementing trade facilitation measures; and managing e-commerce.
The Security topic refers to the contribution of Customs to securing territories at the border and against threats accompanying trade and financial flows, in different frameworks and environments: from borderlands where trade is highly facilitated, to conflict and post-conflict zones where Customs and civilian enforcement agencies seek to restore the presence of the State.
The Customs-Tax Cooperation topic refers to all forms of interaction between Customs and tax agencies, including organisational interactions (e.g. Revenue Authorities) and the exchange of information between the two agencies, particularly relating to data exchange mechanisms - interoperable or integrated IT systems.
