19 - 20 December, 2023, Sanya, China

The APEC Seminar on Smart Customs: Smart Customs Control and Services for Better Development of Free Trade Ports/Free Zones was held in Sanya, China from 19 to 20 December 2023 in a hybrid form. This Seminar gathered around 180 representatives from customs administrations of 19 APEC economies, 9 international organizations and 11 private sector and academic partners. At the invitation of China customs, Mr. Norikazu Kuramoto, the head of the ROCB A/P and Ms. Zhengqing Ye, the Program Manager and Operation Manager of the CCF-China joined this workshop online.

Mr. Wang Lingjun, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, Executive Director of APEC Secretariat, Mr. Edward Kieswetter, Customs Cooperation Council Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Mr. Zafar Uddin Mahmood, Policy Advisor to the Secretary General of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), Ms. Kitjaluck Srinuchsart, Deputy Director General of Thai Customs, Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Deputy Director General of Viet Nam Customs, and Mr. Chen Huaiyu, Vice Governor of Hainan Province delivered remarks at the opening ceremony, conveying the shared vision of APEC economies and relevant international organizations on promoting Smart Customs development and cooperation for safe, stable and smooth international trade.

Mr. Norikazu Kuramoto was invited to attend the High-Level Dialogue as a speaker under the theme of “Promote Smart Customs through Technology and Innovation, Serve the Development of Free Zones”. Mr. Kuramoto introduced the function of the ROCB A/P, 2023/24 Workshop Plan and the WCO’s Practical Guidance on Free Zones. Furthermore, he highlighted that data, proper Customs function, legal conditions, digital Literacy and knowledge of Customs officials were essential to the success of building Smart Customs. He also briefed the newly launched Training Management Project when replying to the question how the ROCB A/P support the human resources modernization under the Smart Customs Initiative. During the session, Mr. Kuramoto expressed ROCB A/P’s commitment to assisting Members in building smart customs.

This seminar aims to advance the technological transformation, reform and innovation, communication and mutual learning, and win-win cooperation among APEC Customs, encourage Smart Customs cooperation partners to work together to meet global challenges, and safeguard regional and global trade security and facilitation. Moreover, the APEC Smart Customs Partnership Initiative was put forward by China Customs, which calls on all parties to strengthen technological support in customs work, explore to set up a Smart Customs Case Repository and expand the Smart Customs cooperation partnership for more efficient customs control and unimpeded cross-border trade.

For more information, please contact at rocb@rocbap.org