Customs personnel to refine training 

With the World Trade Organization’s landmark Trade Facilitation Agreement, which came into force last month, the CNMI Division of Customs will soon undergo training of the modernization and harmonization of export and import procedures through the Oceania Customs Organization.

The OCO is also expected to discuss pertinent information regarding the Revised Kyoto Convention and customs enforcement practices.

According to Customs director Jose Mafnas, the national workshop on the Revised Kyoto Convention will take place from Sept. 11 to Sept. 15.

“The upcoming workshop will feature training sessions by the Oceania Customs Organization. The first time the OCO visited the CNMI, we focused on customs international standards and best practices, leading to greater economic prosperity and increased border security. This time our personnel will hone in on the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the [Revised Kyoto Convention], which are centered on capacity building and harmonization,” Mafnas said.

The Revised Kyoto Convention is the main trade facilitation customs convention. It was developed by the World Customs Organization and entered into force in 2006 with focus on transparency, use of information technology, use of risk management and audit-based controls, and coordinated interventions with other border agencies, and trade partnerships.

Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson emphasized that customs training on local and international trade practices has proven to be successful.

“Since our partnership with the Oceania Customs Organization, our customs officers have been better equipped to perform their duties in relation to local and international law. The CNMI economy is influenced by the strength of our borders and customs control and again this training addresses a lot of customs matters, from border management and revenue collection, to transparency and efficiency,” Larson said.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres noted that that the Revised Kyoto Convention and the trade facilitation agreement look to ensure a harmonized system of customs practices which would continue to improve economic growth.

“We know that customs revenues have continued to increase and our borders are stronger, but the work does not end there. These trainings bring our officers up to international standards to address our very unique location and challenges. The OCO offers cross-border collaboration, which combines our resources and improves business and trade by tracking and monitoring goods that are imported and exported across borders. I commend the Division of Customs for their commitment to increasing their partnerships and knowledge base to address border security,” Torres said.

The OCO helps administrations align with international customs standards and best practices. The CNMI is one of 24 members of the organization, which includes Palau, Guam, Kiribati, American Samoa, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Fiji, Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Australia, Norfolk Islands, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and New Zealand.