While waiting for the work of the customs review seminar scheduled for tomorrow Tuesday, January 28, 2020 during which, the performances achieved over the past year will be made public, the Director of Cabinet of the Minister to the Prime Minister in charge of the Budget and the State portfolio has betrayed the secret.

Adama Sall representative, Minister Moussa Sanogo, announced today on the occasion of the celebration of International Customs Day which coincided this year with the launch of the 6th edition of the Ivorian Customs Week, that this board has done an excellent job.

He indicated that, despite a situation and a not favorable environment, the Ivorian customs have mobilized 1832 billion FCFA out of a revenue target of 1846 billion FCFA.

"This is also the place for me to reiterate my congratulations and thanks to the Director General of Customs and all his staff for the excellent work done during 2019. Indeed, on a revenue target of 1846 billion FCFA, the Ivorian Customs were able to mobilize 1832 billion FCFA, despite a conjuncture and a not favorable environment," said Adama Sall, without going into details.

While Customs was unable to achieve the objectives set by the Government, the Minister's Representative to the Prime Minister in charge of the Budget and state portfolio praised the private and public sector partners as well as development partners whose multifaceted assistance contributed to the achievement of these results appreciated and welcomed by the Prime Minister.

This year's International Customs Day is dedicated to Customs' contribution to a sustainable future. The theme is "Sustainability at the heart of Customs action for people, prosperity and the planet."

 
 
According to the Chief of Staff, with this slogan, the World Customs Organization (WCO) invites its members to focus their efforts on sustainable development by placing socio-economic, health and environmental needs at the center of their actions.

During their interventions, the Director General of Ivorian women and the representative of the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization largely developed the concept of sustainability while emphasizing the role that must be played by Customs administrations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) promoted by the United Nations and set for 2030.

Adama Sall and General Da Pierre Alphonse, Director General of Customs expressed their joy because the country did not wait until 2020 to commit to sustainable development.

"The actions already carried out and outlined just now by the DG of Customs also espouse the three pillars of sustainable development that are the economic pillar, the social pillar and the environmental pillar," insisted the Director of Cabinet.

It recognises, however, that challenges need to be overcome, in particular in the implementation of certain multilateral environmental agreements on trade facilitation and the fight against counterfeiting, drug trafficking and cross-border organised crime.

To face these challenges, Adama Sall finally wished for the involvement of all, the private and public sector, the Government, Customs and development partners.

 
 
The DG of Customs recalled the Customs contribution to sustainability determined by the WCO, which is structured around three axes.

First axis, serving people by building societies that ensure their safety and security, second axis, ensuring prosperity by reducing barriers to trade for just societies based on inclusion and finally protecting the planet and guaranteeing it sustainability for future generations.

Finally, he indicated that on the basis of the various specific tools and programmes, the WCO invites Customs administrations to observe certain practices by calling on them to be consistent and transparent in the application of Customs regulations.

These include the implementation of the international trade provisions contained in multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), the application of risk management techniques to facilitate lawful trade, the broadening of the concept of digital customs with a focus on the use of modern technology, and the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. in order to prevent unfair competition and foster the development of an enabling environment where innovation and creativity can flourish.