Nairobi, Kenya
11th November 2023.
The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Annual Conference is hosted by the Kenya Revenue Authority, bringing together the Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs), Partner Government Agencies and other trade stakeholders to discuss milestones of the AEO Programme in Kenya.ย The AEO Programme is a World Customs Organization business model designed to reward players involved in the international supply chain who have demonstrated to be reliable and compliant partners of Customs, over time.
Kenyaโs Customs Commissioner, Ms. Lilian Nyawanda, emphasized seamless trade facilitation for trust-building, supporting compliance-based trading. This ensures efficient trade, reduces business costs, and boosts revenue collection. AEOs contribute significantly, currently accounting for up to 30% of Customs and Border Control Department revenue, vital for positioning Kenya as a global investment destination.
ROCB Director Larry Liza provided an overview of the WCO position in relation to the AEO, highlighting collection of members practices to expand the programme to e-Commerce stakeholders, SMEs and MSMEs, upcoming survey to monitor the implementation of SAFE FoS, and next yearโs global conference schedule for May 2024 in Schenzen, China.
Of importance, Director Liza shared the WCOโs theme for the year 2024ย โCustoms Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purposeโ.
Other remarks were given by the GIZ Head SED Cluster, Mr. Bernd LakeMeier who reiterated GIZโs commitment to supporting fair, competitive and legitimate trade in Kenya; as well as Ms. Teresa Wanjagua, Kenyaโs Deputy Commissioner for Trade Facilitation.
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