22ND OCO ANNUAL CONFERENCE – VIRTUAL
Download the 22nd OCO Annual Conference Communique here.
REVENUE SECURITY A PRIORITY FOR CUSTOMS HEADS
Suva, Fiji, October 19, 2020– Revenue security is a priority for Heads of Customs administrations in the Oceania region when they virtually meet tomorrow (Tuesday, October 20) for their annual conference. “We all know the chaos COVID-19 has caused and the impacts on various economies, for customs organisations in the Pacific region it is critical…
Island Business Article- Fiji 50th Independence Anniversary
Greetings and Bula vinaka! Please access the link below to the Islands Business feature (Sept-Oct issue) by the OCO Secretariat in celebration of Fiji’s 50th Year of Independence; https://islandsbusiness.com/pacific-market/partner-advertorials/item/2983-happy-50th-independence-day-viti.html Vinaka
OCO CONDUCTS REFRESHER TRAINING ON PACER PLUS RULES OF ORGIN
Suva, Fiji, October 5, 2020– Oceania Customs Organisation is conducting a refresher training on PACER Plus Rules of Origin for nine Pacific Island customs administrations to prepare them for when the agreement comes into force. Seven countries have ratified PACER Plus, which will come into effect 60 days after the eighth country has committed to…
ROLE OF CUSTOMS AGENCIES DURING AND POST COVID-19
By Richard Brennan, OCO Head of Secretariat The economic crisis caused by COVID-19 will continue longer than the health crisis. The continuation of trade is important for all economies- nations still need to have imports and exports moving across borders during this pandemic. Customs agencies, therefore, play a key role in ensuring that national health…
CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS PREPARE FOR WCO MASTER TRAINING PROGRAM
Preparatory works have begun for the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Master Training Program (MTP), which is expected to begin mid next year. The program will initially be rolled out to regional World Customs Organisation members. A virtual meeting was held this month with the World Customs Organisation Regional Office of Capacity Building, the Oceania Customs…
OCO APPOINTS NEW ENFORCEMENT ADVISOR
Suva, Fiji, August 31, 2020– Customs officers are often seen as gatekeepers and not as important economic contributors even though they help in facilitating trade in an economy, newly appointed OCO Enforcement Advisor, Mohammed Ajaz says. “The public fails to recognise the importance of a customs officers’ contribution to the well-being of the society and…
OCO PREPARES CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS FOR PACER-PLUS
Suva, Fiji, August 25, 2020– OCO recently worked with five signatory countries – Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Tuvalu- to draft Guidelines on Customs Procedures and Rules of Origin, intended to improve customs officials and traders’ understanding of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER-Plus) and overall improve trading between the countries. “The…
NEW APPOINTMENT – FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES MANAGER
The Oceania Customs Organisation represents the interest of 23 member countries in the Pacific region. Its mission is to facilitate and where appropriate help customs administrations align with customs international standards and best practice leading to greater economic prosperity and increased border security within the Oceania region. The OCO is pleased to announce the appointment…
OCO supports Rules of Origin Training in Fiji
The OCO co-facilitated with the national ROO Trainer, Mr. Noa Buredua, a two-day Rules of Origin Training for the Fiji Revenue & Customs Services (FRCS) held in Suva, Fiji on 24-25 June, 2020. About 29 Customs Officers participated in the Workshop, 14 of whom virtually from Lautoka and Labasa. The objective of the workshop…