Click here to view the revised Customs clearance process flowchart
Palau Implements ASYCUDAWorld
A ceremony was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at the Palau Royal Resort for the launching of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) for recording of inbound and outbound cargos of the country.
The ceremony was graced by President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. alongside Minister Kaleb Udui, Jr. and Director John Tarkong, Jr. of Customs and Border Control who will head the operational system.
Funded by the European Union, ASYCUDA marks a significant step forward in Palau’s trade and customs administration. This integrated system automates international trade and transport operations brining Palau in line with global standards and facilitating smoother interactions with financial and economic partners.
“This system will incentivize investments in Palau,” President Whipps stated during the ceremony highlighting the system’s potential to boost Palau’s economy.
Extensive ASYCUDAWorld Training for Customs Officers in Palau
The Republic of Palau is committed to reforming its customs and trade procedures by rolling out ASYCUDA’s automated customs system. ASYCUDAWorld is expected to increase customs revenue and shorten clearance times. It will reduce paperwork and trade related costs while increasing transparency. To ensure a successful and sustainable shift to the new system, a well-informed and trained workforce is essential.
In light of this, customs officials from the Republic of Palau, are being provided extensive training to better understand ASYCUDAWorld ahead of the digitalization of the country’s customs operations. The training is being implemented by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) project, funded by the European Union. It equips customs officials; traders; importers and exporters; agents; and carriers, with the skills required to efficiently use the system.
The first training took place from 20 to 30 March 2023, upskilling 31 officers from customs and 14 external stakeholders. A second training was held from 31 July to 17 August 2023 and involved 33 customs officers and 46 external stakeholders. A third training to 31 customs officers was held from 16 to 31 October 2023. All trainings were delivered by UNCTAD experts alongside the ASYCUDA National Project Team at Customs Headquarters in Koror, Palau, and consisted of two, three-hour sessions per day.
A fourth training is scheduled for December 2023 and will be open to private stakeholder entities, such as importers, exporters, agents and carriers.
The Director for the Republic of Palau Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Mr. John Tarkong Jr. said, “At this stage, we have successfully completed the third round of trainings for customs officers. The feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive. It was noticeable that after the first two sessions, our officers were well acquainted with the system and the new processes. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the training approach and the dedication of the ASYCUDA National Project Team members to adapt to the new system.”
He added, “There will be an increase towards the effective collection of customs revenues and data. Additionally, reduced processing times and increased government revenues are also projected from this customs automation, modernization and reform project. With almost half of customs administrations around the world now relying on a common automated platform to support their respective customs clearance operations, it is important to realize the impact and benefits this will have on Palau and why Palau embarked on this project.”
Ms. Ashley Adelbai, who has worked at Palau Customs for a decade, said “It was enlightening to see how technology can replace traditional customs operations and provide a lot of benefits. There will be a significant reduction in paperwork, which will not only save our time but also reduce the chance of manual errors. Additionally, the ability to view and manage documents in one centralized place will make my daily tasks easier to manage.”
MoU Strengthens Palau’s Resolve in Combating Human Trafficking
Palau, November 06, 2023 – In a pivotal move towards fortifying Palau’s commitment to combating human trafficking, the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of Justice, led by the Honorable Vice President and Minister of Justice, J. Uduch Sengebau Senior, joined hands with Minister of Finance, Kaleb Udui, Jr., Director of the Bureau of Customs ·and Border Protection, John Tarkong, Jr., and Acting Chief of Division of Transnational Crime, Lt. Rickley Antonio, to sign a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 02, 2023.
This historic MOU signifies the collective dedication of these key government bodies to defining their roles and sharing vital information for the effective execution of Palau’s AntiHuman Trafficking Program. The signing ceremony took place at the Vice President’s Office Conference Room and marked a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to combat human trafficking.
The primary objective of this MOU is to establish a common understanding and a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, particularly its AntiHuman Trafficking unit, and the Ministry of Finance, encompassing its Division of Immigration. Together, these parties aim to bolster Palau’s anti-human trafficking program.
The MOU focuses on formalizing procedures and fostering a unified understanding between the Ministry of Justice’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the Ministry of Finance’s Division of Immigration. This synergy is vital to enable effective law enforcement and to eliminate potential vulnerabilities that human traffickers may exploit. The MOU outlines key strategies, including monitoring high-risk countries and closely scrutinizing visa applications, extensions, departures, and other immigration data to identify patterns indicative of human trafficking activities.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice, through its Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, commits to providing timely information to the Division of immigration regarding any known or suspected human trafficking patterns. This collaboration ensures that Division of Immigration officers are well-informed about the signs and signals of human trafficking in the course of their duties. It also assists the Division of immigration in shaping their policies and processes and facilitates seamless communication through up-to-date contact details for all Anti-Human Trafficking Unit officers.
This MOU is not only a symbol of unwavering commitment to eradicating human trafficking in Palau but also a testament to the government’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its citizens and residents. It paves the way for a stronger and more coordinated effort against this grave issue that affects societies worldwide.
For media inquiries, please call 488-3198.
Refresher Training on Rules of Origin Regional Workshop: Strengthening Expertise for Trade Excellence
NUKUALOFA, Tonga –The Rules of Origin Workshop continues to play a crucial role in strengthening customs and trade related knowledge and information among customs experts.
A comprehensive four-day training on Pacific trade agreements, such as the Melanesian Spearhead Group Trade Agreement (MSGTA), Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) with the European Union (EU), and the United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), was completed by 25 customs officials from 13 Pacific Island Countries at the Rules of Origin Workshop in Nukualofa, Tonga.
Importantly, participants learned practical skills to apply these regulations successfully in their regular trade and customs operations, reducing compliance issues. The workshop was organized by Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) in partnership with the EU funded Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) Project implemented by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and with the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU). The Center for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) from Charles Sturt University, Australia facilitated the workshop from 16-20 October 2023.
Speaking during a session at the workshop, the Trade Correspondent/Programme Manager of the European Union for the Pacific, Mr. Massimo DIOMEDI CAMASSEI said, “The European Union was proud to support initiatives such as the Rules of Origin workshop because it plays a pivotal role in promoting economic development, trade facilitation and regional cooperation in the pacific. The European Union is committed to fostering sustainable growth in the region and was delighted to witness the enthusiasm of more Pacific countries expressing interest in joining iEPA.”
Head of the Oceania Customs Organisation, Ms. Nancy T. Oraka stated, “The Refresher Training Workshop on Rules of Origin has been a transformative experience for our participants. In an ever-evolving global trade landscape, this workshop equipped them with the knowledge and skills to navigate complexities confidently.”
The Operations and Secretariat Manager at the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, Ms. Laisiana Tugaga, said, “The workshop represents a critical step forward in our mission to enhance regional trade and economic development through the implementation of the Rules of origin. The engagement of all the participants highlights their commitment and we are excited about the opportunities for the Pacific region.”
While expressing gratitude toward the workshop, a participant from the Republic of Palau, Ms. Joline Spesungel stated, “This workshop has provided us with valuable insights into the practical aspects of the iEPA Rules of Origin, and see this as a crucial tool for boosting our trade relations with our neighboring nations.”
Moreover, Mr. Philip Ruben, representing Papua New Guinea at the workshop stated, “As a representative from PNG, I am thrilled to have been part of this workshop. The iEPA Rules of Origin will play a pivotal role in facilitating trade and economic growth in our region. The discussions held here have equipped us with the necessary tools to implement these rules effectively, and we are committed to making the most of this opportunity.”
The OCO, through the EU funded IMPACT Project implemented by UNCTAD, PPIU and CCES extend their sincere gratitude to all participants, speakers, and partners for their unwavering support in making this workshop a resounding success.
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Media Contact:
Darryl Ikbal DarrylI@ocosec.org
25th OCO ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023
“Fostering an inclusive Customs that promotes knowledge-sharing and integrity for a stronger Pacific”
1. The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) convened its 25th Annual Conference from 18-20 July 2023 in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. The Conference adopted the theme “Fostering an inclusive Customs that promotes knowledge-sharing and integrity for a stronger Pacific”, emphasising the importance of Pacific Customs administrations to build on collective ability for smart decision making and better productivity.
2. The conference was attended by 14 Heads of Customs Administration of the Governments or their respective nominees from Australia, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Member Administrations unable to attend were American Samoa, Fiji, French Polynesia, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Wallis & Futuna.
3. The invited partner agency representatives from the IMF Pacific Financial and Technical Assistance Center (PFTAC), Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP), Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC),Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Japan Customs and Tariff Bureau, Pacific Islands Tax Administration Association (PITAA), Immigration New Zealand, United States Coast Guard (USCG), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building for Asia Pacific (ROCB A/P) attended the open session of the conference.
4. The Conference was opened by the Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E. Mr. Aren B. Palik. His Excellency welcomed the conference participants to Pohnpei and expressed his gratitude to visitors from all over the Pacific. He reflected on the theme of the conference and challenged the Customs leaders as to how the new “Inclusive” Customs would look like in the future.
a. WCO Secretary General-Dr. Kunio Mikuriya addressed the conference by a video and emphasized his Secretariats hard work on pursuing support to members with trade facilitation and governance guidelines towards best practice. He also congratulated the OCO and wished good luck for reconvening a face to face annual conference.
b. The OCO Chair- Mr. Randy Sue welcomed the members and partners to the conference. He alluded to some of the work activities accomplished during the fiscal year 2022-23 and thanked the current and former leadership of the OCO Secretariat. Also acknowledged was the support of the EU and UNCTAD for supporting the FSM Customs and Tax with its new ASYCUDA Customs clearance system.
c. The OCO Head of Secretariat, Ms. Nancy Oraka reported on highlights that the OCO delivered in the past fiscal year and applauded the members for maintaining and fostering the close ties within the membership.
5. The Conference commended the updates provided by Member administrations stating their progress with Customs modernization plans and implementing the international standards and best practice in trade and security regime. Following the member updates, the Conference:
a. Noted the importance of developing the mechanisms of sharing import and export information in the Pacific trade regime.
b. Emphasized the challenges of sustainability and enhancement of the ASYCUDA system in future business development plans.
c. Expressed the need for more innovation such as Non-Intrusive Inspections and K9 capability, noting both initiatives can be expensive to maintain. Proper research and planning are vital to this initiative.
6. The Conference:
a. Welcomed the implementation of ASYCUDA Customs Clearance system in the Pacific. Two-thirds of the OCO membership now have this capability. The Conference also welcomed the IMPACT project which will support their trade facilitation capability as required by the WTO-TFA agreement.
b. Noted the OCO’s progress with the EDF11 activities in reforming the members trade facilitation program and improving Customs leadership.
c. Commended the achievements of Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue with the Single Window and Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementations.
d. Acknowledged the PACComtrade Database progress being led by Secretariat of the Pacific Community and supported by the OCO. The session also witnessed the signing of the PACComtrade Database Agreement between SPC and specific Customs Administrations. Tonga and Kiribati signed the agreement whilst the conference also acknowledged Tuvalu and Vanuatu for signing the similar agreement with SPC prior to the conference.
e. Acknowledged the progress made by the Guam CQA in its journey towards Customs Modernisation as they implement new trade and revenue initiatives.
f. Noted OCO’s update on capacity building with legislation and enforcement capabilities for members with IPR infringements.
g. Welcomed the WCO-ROCB, Japan Customs and IOM work activities and their continued support for further strengthening Customs capacity building programs.
h. Supported the conduct of an operation to address revenue leakage in the Pacific to enhance information sharing, interoperability and joint operations amongst the membership.
i. Re-affirmed the importance of gender equality and workplace diversity in Customs Administrations.
j. Noted the challenge of countering transnational organised crime and of maritime security, and welcomed the support of PIDC, UNODC, PICP and PIFS.
7. During the close session the members approved the future budget and workplan, and received an update on priority trade facilitation initiative PACHS 2022.
8. The conference expressed their deep gratitude to the Government and people of the FSM for the excellent arrangements in hosting the 2023 Annual Conference, and for the kind hospitality extended during their stay in Pohnpei.
9. The conference thanked Mr. Randy Sue for his contribution as Chairperson of the OCO Conference and Steering Committee in the past term, and welcomed Mr. Xavier Mitchell of Cook Islands as the new Chair and Cook Islands as the venue for the 2024 Annual Conference.
Digitization Key Agenda Item as Delegates Undertake Study Tour to Japan
Tokyo, Japan: A delegation from the Governments of Fiji, Palau, and Vanuatu has travelled to Japan this week, furthering a collaborative partnership between the three countries in the areas of digitization and border management.
As part of its commitment to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision, the Government of Japan strives to promote unrestricted and resilient economic activity throughout the region. Recognizing the significance of digitalization, the Government of Japan is supporting the adoption of digital solutions for border management across the Pacific to advance economic growth.
The study tour is supported by the Government of Japan and its Project for Strengthening Border Control Capacity for the COVID-19 Crisis, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji.
The project aims to support border agencies in Fiji, Palau and Vanuatu in reinforcing their capacities, capabilities and systems for effective and efficient movement of travellers and cargo, and to strengthen links for data and knowledge sharing, inter-agency and cross-regional cooperation, and the use of digitalization as a border management tool across the Pacific.
Following an initial video link with the Government of Japan’s Digital Agency – which commenced the digitalization conversations in April – and a visit to Fiji in May from Digital Agency officials, representatives from Fiji, together with Palau and Vanuatu, have travelled to Tokyo to further discuss the implementation of a digital arrival card system to streamline border entry processes.
The digital arrival card is an electronic version of the physical arrival card currently in use, containing personal information, trip and health declaration details. It is an online document that can be accessed through mobile devices and computers allowing passengers to fill and submit information prior to arrival, and is currently used in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan.
Spearheaded by Fiji’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, the rollout of a digitized arrivals systems for passengers entering the country falls in line with the government’s overall digital transformation strategy, along with the National Border Security Upgrade Priorities 2023-2028.
While in Japan the delegation will see firsthand how the Visit Japan Web digital arrival system – led by Japan’s Digital Agency – works at various ports of entry, discuss relevant legislation and coordination with multiple agencies, budget and software maintenance, and associated information management and cyber security risks associated with a digitized arrival card initiative.
The establishment of Visit Japan Web has been warmly received by incoming passengers to the country’s ports of entry – greatly improving quarantine, immigration and customs declaration processes.
Director-General Group of Service for Citizens, Digital Agency of Japan, Keisuke Murakami, made note of the significance of the collaboration.
“It is our pleasure to share our experiences of Visit Japan Web with our Pacific neighbours, and we warmly welcome the delegation to Tokyo. Following our visit to Fiji earlier this year we are excited to continue supporting the digitalization efforts of other countries across the region, and we look forward to showcasing our world-leading work in the field of automation and digitalization,” he said.
Leading the delegation to Japan, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, Mason Smith, said digitizing the arrivals process into the country would create a single window passenger clearance system, reducing clearance time and person-to-person contact for those entering Fiji.
“The digitization of Fiji’s passenger arrival card will create a future where seamless entry experiences, advanced data management, and robust security measures become the norm. This process will strengthen the country’s immigration and security systems, this being of particular importance for Fiji as tourism numbers continue to surge on the back of COVID-19 restrictions ending. On behalf of the Government of Fiji I would like to thank the Government of Japan for their strong partnership in helping to support this rollout,” he said.
Resident Representative, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Munkhtuya Altangerel, said the project champions collaboration and knowledge sharing, with the visit to Japan to boost border management in Fiji.
“The reasons for having a digitalization strategy are clear, but the difficulties of putting it into practice are often underestimated. This visit to Japan’s Digital Agency alongside the ongoing support from UNDP’s Integrated Border Management Project are helping us to build genuine cooperation between key border management stakeholders throughout the Pacific region,” she said.
For further media enquiries please contact: Nick Turner, Communications and Advocacy Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji. (P) +679 971 6458 – (E) nicholas.turner@undp.org
Workshop on Strengthening Harmonized Systems (HS) in the Pacific
Apia, Samoa, August 29, 2023
The Oceania Customs Organization (OCO) and the PACER Plus Implementation Unit successfully conducted a Regional Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS) Nomenclature in Apia, Samoa. Held within the framework of the European Union (EU) funded Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) project implemented in partnership with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and OCO, the five-day event enhanced the capacity of Pacific countries in successfully implementing the Harmonized System Nomenclature 2022, the world’s global standard for classifying goods in international trade.
The workshop, which took place in Apia, Samoa, brought together Customs experts and representatives from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, to evaluate and refine their capacity on HS and PACHS. Several notable outcomes emerged from the event, shaping the future of customs procedures across the pacific.
The first major accomplishment was the successful review of country’s transposition of HS 2022 to retain historical concessions and ensure market access conditions remain unaffected by technical revisions to scheduled tariff commitments. Participants collaborated with regional experts during the workshop to critically analyze the existing framework, ensuring alignment with international best practices and standards. This comprehensive review establishes a solid foundation for further advancements in Harmonized Systems.
Moreover, the workshop provided an opportunity to raise awareness on the EU-Pacific States interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) applied by EU 27 Member States, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Samoa. On the first day of the workshop, Trade Facilitation Expert Mr. Michael Ligo presented on the iEPA and expounded on the benefits of the Agreement between Pacific Island States and the EU. Michael Ligo also provided a detailed background on the initial initiatives between EU and the Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific States, and how it developed into the current bi-lateral Economic Partnership Agreement followed up by further analysis into the EU Market Access Offer (MAO), and the tariff requirements for Pacific States. In addition, Mr. Massimo Diomedi Camassei, Trade Correspondent/Programme Manager at the EU Delegation for the Pacific added that presently the iEPA governs the liberalization of Trade in Goods between the parties.
Currently, the parties are considering the option to include the liberalization of Trade in Services as a new component of the agreement. To support Pacific Island Countries to benefit from the iEPA, the EU funded a €37 million Pacific Regional Integration Support Programme of which IMPACT is one of the project and will continue working with Pacific States to facilitate their accession if interested and the creation of trade opportunities in the future.
“PACER Plus will continue to offer its support in the implementation of HS and PACHS 2022 considering its significant importance in customs functions,” PPIU Operations and Secretariat Manager, Mrs. Laisiana Tugaga said. She added, “Implementing the latest version of the HS is critical amongst the Pacific Island Countries to simplify intra-regional trade transaction and enhance the quality of trade statistics compiled in the region, we are very grateful to the input from our experts during the workshop for their assistance.”
“The workshop was excellent, and the facilitators were great, and the information and assistance provided was practical.
The experts leading the workshop recognized the participants for their commitment and proactive approach to the training sessions. The participants maintained consistently high levels of interest, critical thinking, and active participation. Ms. Nancy T. Oraka, Head of OCO, expressed appreciation for the participants’ eagerness to unlearn old thinking and embrace new methodologies reflecting their dedication to continuous improvement and the pursuit of best practices in harmonized systems.
The workshop was jointly organized by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit and the Oceania Customs Organization (OCO) under the European Union (EU) funded Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) project implemented in partnership with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Customs K9 Unit and Juvenile Justice Team Up to Conduct
As part of the public relations and community engagement efforts, the Customs Drug Detector Dog Unit along with the Division of Juvenile Justice, Bureau of Public Safety joined forces to conduct an outreach program for the 6th to 8th grade students in Ngardmau, Ngerchelong and Melekeok Elementary Schools as part of an awareness series. The Outreach Program was conducted from 6th – 8th September, 2023.
While the Division of Juvenile Justice program aims to educate the students on “anti-Bullying” and promoting good behavior in schools, the Bureau of Customs Drug Detector Dog Unit also had the opportunity to provide the students with an understanding of their role, the importance of staying away from drugs and how we use the K9 dogs as a tool to detect and search for drugs in our fight to protect the border against drugs coming to Palau. While the students really enjoyed watching the dogs search and detect drugs as part of our demonstration, we hope this program will continue to have a positive impact on the students. The outreach program was a success and we plan to deliver more programs this year.
Customs Software to Boost Cross-Border Trade in Palau
European Union Funding for UNCTAD ASYCUDAWorld Customs Management System Roll-Out
Ngerulmud, Palau. 25 August 2022
The Government of Palau has started work under the EU funded IMPACT project that will deliver a new customs management system to help the country increase the pace of customs clearance and boost its ability to engage in international trade. Palau will use ASYCUDAWorld, a customs management system developed by UNCTAD’s Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) Programme, to deliver the latest, cutting edge, customs technology. Processing customs paperwork manually is time-consuming and inefficient. It also requires traders to travel to import and export clearing points to physically present their documents, costing them time and money. A mobilization seminar was held 23-24 August to raise awareness among key stakeholders regarding the need for simplified and streamlined customs procedures, the potential benefits of fully automated customs clearance processes, and the specific supporting role of the UNCTAD ASYCUDAWorld system.
Surangel Whipps Jr., President of Palau, when opening the event said, “I want to thank the UN, the EU, and UNCTAD for their support in making sure that this ASYCUDA system is implemented in Palau. It’s really about partnership and without strong partners like you, we wouldn’t have been able to move this project forward to build a more prosperous and safer Palau”. He added, “I hope this will make it easy for traders to submit their reports. Hopefully this will help the business community, reduce the lines at the customs office and improve our customer service to the people that we serve”. ASYCUDA is UNCTAD’s largest technical assistance programme and currently has software running in over 100 countries, including 41 small island developing states (SIDS). ASYCUDAWorld will enable Palau to optimize customs procedures and boost government revenue by ensuring that all goods are declared and the correct duties collected online. When rolled out, the system will make cross-border trade easier, faster and cheaper for businesses in Palau, and for those wishing to do business with them. ASYCUDAWorld will also help Palau customs to gather reliable and timely trade and fiscal statistics to better support the government with economic planning and evidence-based decision-making.
Dr. Erja Askola, Chargé d ’Affaires of the EU Delegation for the Pacific, said, “The European Union aims to jointly address the challenges that Pacific States and companies face to benefit from accessing regional and international markets. Reducing the time Palau moves goods in and out is one of the many interventions we support in the Pacific to promote regional economic integration. We also welcome more countries of the region to join the European Union-Pacific States Economic Partnership Agreement”.
Palau Minister of Finance, Kaleb Udui Jr., added, “The Ministry is pleased to join over 100 nations in implementing ASYCUDA in line with international standards. This will expand trading opportunities and boost the capacity of the Republic, and will create a more transparent, less costly and more equitable trading environment for importers and exporters of Palau”.
“Customs plays a crucial role in supporting the economic competitiveness of a country. One that ensures that revenues are collected while the community and the environment are protected”, highlighted the UN Resident Coordinator for Micronesia, Jaap Van Heirden. The IMPACT project will support the modernization of customs administration and facilitate trade for Palau regionally and internationally. It will contribute to sustainable and inclusive prosperity in the region, which is an area of focus of the EU strategy for cooperation in the Pacific. The funding for the IMPACT project comes under the EU’s ‘Pacific Regional Integration Support’ (PRISE) Programme, which aims to increase trade between Pacific States’ as well as between themselves and the EU-27 Member States.