Egypt Customs takes steps to strengthen its Rules of Origin competency
Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Egyptian Customs Authority, held a national training workshop on rules of origin for Egypt Customs. The workshop was held in Cairo, Egypt, from 3 to 7 September 2023 and brought together Customs officers, participants from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOIEC) as well as the private sector with the objective to assist Egypt in enhancing its knowledge and application of preferential rules of origin.
Indonesia initiates WTO dispute complaint regarding EU duties on biodiesel imports
Indonesia has requested WTO dispute consultations with the European Union regarding the EU’s imposition of countervailing duties on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia. The request was circulated to WTO members on 15 August.
WTO: New WTO publication provides insights into the world of export regulations and controls
A new publication launched at the Public Forum on 15 September provides insights into how WTO members have used different international agreements and conventions beyond the WTO as the basis for imposing export regulations aimed at ensuring objectives such as environmental protection, hazardous waste management, weapons control and combatting illegal drugs trade.
WTO issues panel report regarding Chinese duties on Australian barley
On 24 August, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by Australia in “China — Anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures on barley from Australia” (DS598).
WTO dispute panel issues report regarding Chinese duties on US products
On 16 August, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by the United States in “China — Additional Duties on Certain Products from the United States” (DS558).
WCO facilitates ASYCUDA World capacity building to Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) by Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
Continuing the progress initiated by the WCO-facilitated ASYCUDA World benchmarking mission from Namibia to Zambia in April 2023, two officers from ZRA visited Windhoek from 24 to 28 July 2023. They provided hands-on support and engaged in a knowledge exchange with NamRA to enhance the application of ASYCUDA World within the operational environment. The capacity building activity takes place under the auspices of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme as financially supported by the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC), providing capacity building and support under a multi-year framework.