RMI Visitation with BCBP ASYCUDA

Republic of Marshall Islands BCBP-ASYCUDA Visitation

A delegation from the Republic of Marshall Islands Tax Reform and Modernization Commission recently wrapped up their visit to the Republic of Palau, participating in a comprehensive exchange of knowledge on digital transformation in customs and trade through #ASYCUDAWorld.

During their visit, the delegation observed the implementation and operation of the ASYCUDAWorld system for customs clearances at the Palau Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP). 

Special thanks to the Resident ASYCUDA Expert, Mr. Mohammed Rizwan Khan, for the insightful live demonstration of the system. His presentation showcased how ASYCUDAWorld is transforming trade processes and enhancing the collection of the Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST). This visit underscores the importance of regional collaboration in driving reforms that shape customs and trade, paving the way for better opportunities and stronger economies throughout the region.

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Vice President’s Office Donates Vehicle to BCBP

Palau, December 19, 2024 – A blue 2014 Nissan Rogue was officially donated to the Palau Bureau of Customs and Border Protection today as a gesture of appreciation for its steadfast dedication to securing the nation’s borders.

The vehicle, donated by the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of Justice, was presented in a ceremony held in front of the Vice President’s Office. Asterio Takashi, representing the Vice President’s Office, formally handed over the vehicle to Director John Tarkong Jr. of the Bureau of Customs. Director Tarkong Jr. was accompanied by Chief Robert Tarkong of the Division of Corporate Services and Senior Officer/OIC Poland Masaharu of the Division of Revenue & Trade Facilitation.

Director Tarkong Jr. expressed deep gratitude for the continued support from the Vice President’s Office and the Ministry of Justice. He emphasized that the Nissan Rogue, in excellent condition, will greatly enhance the Bureau’s operations, particularly in facilitating revenue-related tasks and daily transmittals managed by the Division of Revenue & Trade Facilitation.

“This holiday season, we reflect on the importance of kindness and gratitude,” remarked Asterio Takashi. “It’s an honor to present this vehicle as a token of appreciation for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and its hardworking staff, who tirelessly ensure the safety and security of our nation.”

The donation underscores the commitment of Palau’s leadership to supporting essential government functions, especially those safeguarding the country’s borders.

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Ministry of Finance’s Employee of the Year 2024

The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) proudly congratulates Customs Officer II Ashley Adelbai on being named the Ministry of Finance (MOF) Employee of the Year for 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights Ashley’s exceptional contributions to the Bureau, her leadership within the ASYCUDA national project team, and her unwavering dedication to advancing the efficiency and effectiveness of customs operations.

Since joining the ASYCUDA project in 2022, Ashley has been instrumental in its successful implementation, providing critical user support, leading training sessions, and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have greatly benefited the Bureau. Her ability to balance her primary duties with her responsibilities on the project has been exemplary, ensuring smooth operational transitions while fostering confidence among her colleagues.

Ashley’s commitment to professional growth is equally commendable, having earned Certificates III and IV in Customs Administration, reflecting her expertise across all facets of customs operations. Her diligence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills have been key to her success and have made her an invaluable asset to the Bureau.

On behalf of the entire Bureau, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ashley for this well-deserved honor. Her hard work and dedication embody the values of the BCBP, and we are proud to celebrate her achievements.

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Coordinated Border Management (CBM) Working Group Extended

Koror, Palau – On October 15, 2024, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 489 which amended the term of the Coordinated Border Management (CBM) Working Group to remain in effect, as it expired on September 30, 2024 as established through Executive Order No. 475.

The CBM Working Group is mandated to emphasize coordination and mutual assistance among the various government agencies to strengthen Palau’s border security and management, modernize our border management practices by streamlining policies and enhancing our technological systems, and combat the ongoing challenges and threats posed by transnational crimes and other illegal cross-border activities.

Successful facilitation, collaboration, and resource-sharing among border agencies has proven that the CBM Working group is a critical platform for enhancing the Republic’s border security.

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Oath of Office for additional 5 Customs Officers

Koror, Palau – July 16, 2024 – The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection is pleased to announce the addition of four new Customs Officers: Joyah Nigraiwet, Dawn Surech Kemesong, Lynette Ikesakes, and Carter Ngiralbong. Carter Ngiralbong, previously serving as a Biosecurity Officer, has transitioned into his new role as a Customs Officer. The swearing-in ceremony also included the Chief of the Division of Corporate Services, Robert Tarkong.

These new appointments come just one month after three other Customs Officers took their Oath of Office. The Bureau’s dedication to strengthening border security is exemplified by these strategic hires and promotions, which will significantly bolster our efforts in maintaining the security and efficiency of our operations.

The addition of these officers will provide much-needed support to our team, ensuring that we continue to meet our security objectives effectively of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. We are confident that these new officers will bring valuable skills and dedication to their roles, helping us safeguard our borders more efficiently.

The Bureau remains committed to its mission of protecting the borders and upholding the law, and the newly sworn-in officers are expected to play a crucial role in achieving these goals.

For further information, please contact the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection at 488-1985/6031 or email us at customs@bcbp.pw, or you can visit our website at bcbp.pw for more information.

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Newly Appointed Customs Officer’s Take Oath of Office

June 19, 2024 – Koror, Republic of Palau – The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) is pleased to announce the formal induction of three new Customs Officers I. Sesario Gibbons, Ermangarde Augustino, and Jeracie Oiterong took their Oath of Office in a ceremony presided over by Acting Director of the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS), Temdik Ngirblekuu. The event was witnessed by Acting Director of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Clint Mersai, along with other Customs Officers and the officers’ family members.

We welcome these new officers into the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and we look forward to their continued support and contribution to our Mission. Their dedication and commitment over the past three months of rigorous in-job training and orientation have prepared them well for their roles. We look forward to their valuable contributions in the field.”

The new officers are currently engaged in a curriculum training at the Main Customs Office. This training encompasses essential areas such as Customs Laws, Regulations, Processes, Protocols, Ethics, and other pertinent course material integral to their duties as well as the Divisions and Sections under the Bureau. This thorough preparation ensures that they are well-equipped to uphold the standards and responsibilities of their positions.

As they transition into field operations, BCBP is confident in their ability to support and further the mission and goals of the Bureau for the Republic of Palau.

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About the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection: The Bureau is dedicated to enforcing laws related to customs and border security, revenue collection and compliance, as well as facilitating legitimate trade and travel, and ultimately ensuring the safety and economic prosperity of the Republic of Palau through vigilant border protection and efficient customs operations.

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Migration Management Course Empowers Palauan Government Stakeholders

Koror, Palau – The Republic of Palau tackled its unique migration challenges head-on with a three-day Migration Management Course held from May 7-9, 2024 at the Palau Royal Resort. Organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) bringing in key stakeholders from the Coordinated Border Management Working Group (CBMWG) as well as other partner agencies from NEMO, MHRCTD, and MOS, the course aimed to address critical issues surrounding migration governance and policy development.

Palau faces distinct migration dynamics due to its geography, economic status, climate change vulnerabilities, and the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States. Despite the potential benefits migration could bring to Palau’s development, the absence of national policies has delayed effective management of migration trends and outcomes.

In response, the “Building Bridges” project, initiated in 2023, aimed to develop a comprehensive national migration policy for Palau. This endeavor seeks to integrate findings form the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Governance Indicators exercise and prioritize gender considerations. The resulting policy will align with Palau’s broader development strategies, including the National Policy and the Palau Development Plan.

The recent capacity-building training, drawing upon IOM’s “Essential of Migration Management” program, equipped CBMWG members and stakeholders with tools to actively engage in policy formulation. Facilitated by IOM experts, participants gained insights into key migration issues such as labor migration, climate change adaptation, and diaspora engagement.

The workshop’s objectives included fostering a distinct understanding of migration’s dual nature as both a challenge and an opportunity, and empowering stakeholders to contribute effectively to policy development and implementation. Participants left the training prepared to collaborate across government agencies, civil society, and international organizations to advance Palau’s migration governance agenda.

With a holistic and participatory approach emphasizing shared expertise and collective learning, the course ensured that the participants were actively engaged and primed to drive positive change in Palau’s migration landscape.

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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.”

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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).