Angola will now lead the coordination of activities for the Customs Administrations within the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) for a 12-month period. This was announced in Luanda by José Leiria, President of the Board of Directors of Angola’s General Tax Administration (AGT), during the 38th Meeting of CPLP Customs Directors-General on October 28.
Leiria outlined that upcoming meeting agendas will focus on enhancing trade facilitation, strengthening the authorized economic operator program, combatting illicit trade, and streamlining customs clearance for exporters, importers, and international trade agents.
Additionally, he revealed plans for a dedicated CPLP Customs website aimed at information-sharing among Member States. This platform will feature a public section accessible to all, sharing general customs information, and a restricted section for confidential information exchange between CPLP customs authorities.
Ian Saunders, Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), expressed support for CPLP’s customs initiatives, noting that approximately nine technical assistance requests from CPLP countries will be eligible for WCO funding next year. Saunders emphasized WCO’s commitment to advancing policy and standards crucial to CPLP nations, including the harmonized system, customs valuation, risk management, rules of origin, trade facilitation, and authorized economic operator programs.