6th – 8th November 2024.
The 40th Regional Steering Group (RSG) Meeting is currently ongoing, hosted by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority – ZIMRA in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Participants include representatives from Members of the ESA region, RILO, RTCs, WCO and WCO ESA ROCB.
The opening remarks were delivered as follows:
𝐌𝐫. 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐰𝐚, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥, 𝐙𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐚, welcomed all delegates to Victoria Falls, and expressed the honour of Zimbabwe in hosting the region. He encouraged delegates to have robust discussions leading to solid conclusions and recommendations that will support the region in achieving its set vision and goals. He noted the addition of the Excise management to the agenda of the region, stressing its importance and contribution to the overall revenue collected by respective administrations. He encouraged all delegates to explore the beauty of the Victoria Falls and the hospitality of the people of Zimbabwe.
𝐌𝐫. 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚, 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐒𝐆 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐬), conveyed the appreciation of the ESA Vice-Chair, and the entire leadership of the Mauritius Revenue Authority to the Government of Zimbabwe for hosting the 40th RSG alongside other regional meetings; the Regional Training Centres Heads Meeting and the Finance and Governance Committee. He informed the delegates that in line with the decision made by the 30th ESA Region Governing Council to develop a new Regional Strategy for 2025-2028, the Regional Strategy Working Group was reconstituted to lead this initiative. While the Regional Strategy will be tailored to the specific needs of the ESA region, it will also be aligned with the global WCO Strategy to ensure synergy and coherence between the two strategies. He encouraged the RSG to participate actively in the panel discussions and share strategic insights, experiences and knowledge for the benefit of our respective customs administration and advancement of the Region.
𝐌𝐫. 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐳𝐚, 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐁 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫, paid homage to the leadership of Zimbabwe for its commitment to ensure high levels of performance, he conveyed his personal appreciation and that of the entire ESA Region and its leadership, to the Government of Zimbabwe for agreeing to host the region for its 40th RSG alongside other regional meetings in the beautiful and majestic Victoria Falls. He highlighted the heavy agenda ahead, and urged the delegates to contribute actively in all discussions, resulting in concrete outcomes and recommendations for adoption by the Governing Council.
𝐌𝐫. 𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐍𝐣𝐞𝐛𝐢, 𝐄𝐒𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐂𝐎 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, appreciated the ESA region for always inviting the WCO to its regional meetings, stressing that this is a gesture of partnership and working together towards a common goal. He highlighted the important role that will be played by the 40th RSG in the development of the new ESA strategy 2025-28. He encouraged delegates to share good practices towards enhancing Customs’ approach in delivering its mandate.
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