The WCO ESA Regional Steering Group Meeting, hosted by the Lesotho Revenue Authority was held in Maseru, Lesotho on the 23rd to 25th May, 2016
During the opening remarks Mr. Larry Liza, ROCB Director acknowledged with appreciation Lesotho’s hosting and hospitality. He acknowledged support from the Vice Chair, Kenya (his seconding & ROCB host Member), Members, RECs and development partners. He pointed to the need for the agenda to continually move towards strategic and topical issues.
Mr. Patrick Gyan, WCO ESA RDM provided a background of the WCO and its Strategy. He also acknowledged with appreciation Lesotho’s hosting and hospitality.
Mr. Erich Kieck, RSG & ESA Vice Chair Representative welcomed the participants and thanked Lesotho and all parties involved in organizing the meeting and Members for their participation. He urged the Members to be more specific when providing their needs to the WCO and urged the RSG to provide concrete recommendations for the Governing Council’s consideration.
Mrs. Makali, Lepholisa, Commissioner for Customs Lesotho welcomed the participant to Lesotho and invited the RSG to observe a moment of silence for the former Commissioner General (Zambia) Mr. Chriticles Mwansa, who recently passed on. She highlighted the changing role of Customs and urged Members to adopt to the changing environment in order to ensure that Customs remains relevant in the delivery of its mandate. She also noted the importance of implementation of the TFA and accession of the RKC in promotion of trade facilitation and its centrality to the regional Strategy. She urged accession to the RKC. She highlighted the recent challenges in the Customs environment such as violent extremism and threats to the supply chain and urged the need for proper enforcement mechanisms and cooperation among stakeholders. Finally, she encouraged the RSG to support the ROCB to ensure delivery of the pending items in the Strategy.