The opening the World Customs Organisation (WCO) regional training centre is much more than just for training customs officials says the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.

“Customs modernisation is important, precisely because it makes trade easier and if it makes trade easier, it helps economies grow,” PM Bainimarama said.

“And when economies grow more people work and prosper.”

Prime Minister Bainimarama said customs officials, through the training centre, regional governments and the WCO and Oceania Customs Organisation have committed to providing the necessary tools: to modernise, to co-operate, to find creative uses for technology.

“In the end with those tools, you will help build the modern economy of this region,” PM Bainimarama said.

“You will help build an integrated regional economy that creates opportunities for our children and encourages them to stay here and build prosperous lives.”

The head of government while calling on regional customs officials not to work in isolation said they were part of a larger system and a larger process.

Highlighting the need to achieve comprehensive reform, PM Bainimarama said we all must adopt a wide vision and a broad focus.

“Reform, ladies and gentlemen, is not simply a top-down process. Yes, it can start that way by establishing the appropriate framework and structures, such as the economic, electoral, and constitutional reforms put in place by my Government,” PM Bainimarama said.

“Reform must also be a bottom-up process. In order to truly penetrate to the very core of a society, it requires broad participation and active engagement by all.”

The WCO secretary general, Kunio Mikuriya was encouraged by the Prime Minister’s comments on reforms.

“I am very much encouraged by the Prime Minister’s speech that an organisation should not just compete in customs area but it is a whole of government approach,” Mr Mikuriya said.

“The presence of the Prime Minister also indicates the political support for custom reform and modernisation, which is the basis of any custom reform.”

The training centre that was opened today is the 7th regional training centre among the 33 Asia Pacific members of the WCO.

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