El Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Ian Saunders, held a meeting on Tuesday (23.04.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX) with associations and companies of the Private Sector Advisory Group (GCSP or PSCG), highlighting the “fundamental” role of their work and contribution to the customs community.
In his opening address, Ian Saunders highlighted the positive contribution of the GCSP to the progress of the organisation’s objectives, in line with the WCO’s theme for 2024: “Customs engages new and traditional partners with a purpose”, as reported by the Organisation in a press release.
From there, participants shared ideas and comments on various topics of the calendar, such as Updates provided by the WCO relating to electronic commerce and disruptive technologies, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program.
The following were also reviewed: ongoing GCSP initiatives on business resilience, small and medium-sized enterprises and green customs.
The meeting also included a review of the issues that would be discussed by the Permanent Technical Committee 243/244 which, if approved, will be reported to the Policy Committee and the Directors General at the WCO Council meeting in June each year.
In addition, GCSP participants were reported to have addressed the logistical challenges and the data exchange, among other matters.
It should be noted that the Private Sector Advisory Group was established in June 2005 and its internal functioning was regulated in June 2015. It is an institutional unit that serves as a platform for robust debate, knowledge exchange and collaboration, aimed at promoting partnership between customs and industry.
Although current challenges are evolving, the GCSP continues to develop its “spirit of cooperation and innovation” to support the effective implementation of the WCO Conventions and other relevant international instruments, relating to trade facilitation, border security and supply chain resilience.
In this regard, its role “remains paramount and will be a vital contributor to creating positive change in the global customs landscape,” the World Customs Organization stressed.
Today, the GCSP has 28 members, including individual companies (e.g. AP Moller Maersk, Huawei, IBM, etc.). Others are chambers or associations. All this wealth of experience contributes to strengthening the public-private partnership, which is relevant for facilitating international trade.
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