To support the growing demand for effective anti-money laundering (AML) measures in the Asia/Paci...
Read MoreTo support the growing demand for effective anti-money laundering (AML) measures in the Asia/Pacific region, the WCO ROCB A/P was invited to participate the Regional Workshop on AML Frameworks: Tackling Traditional and Modern Challenges in the Digital Age, co-organized by Hong Kong Customs and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) from 9 to 12 June 2025.
At the invitation of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Program Managers Mr. Jaemin Cho, Ms. Asuka Nagamatsu, and Mr. Mark Ho, participated in the Paperless Trade Week 2025, held from 9 to 13 June 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. Mr. Jun Tajima, Head of ROCB A/P also participated part of its side-events.
On 12 June 2025, Mr. Riki Tamaki, Director for AEO, Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance Japan, Mr. Shinpei Sasaki and Ms. Asuka Niwa from the AEO Center, Japan Customs together with Mr. Kazushige Saito, JICA long-term expert, and Mr. Shuhei Namba, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, visited the ROCB A/P Office in Bangkok.
ROCB A/P was established in Thailand in 2004 under an innovative idea of "Regionalization strategy" of the WCO to play an important role in supporting WCO Capacity Building activities, which expands the reach of the WCO Tools and instruments to Members in A/P Region.
ROCB A/P is to assist Member to be an efficient and effective Customs administration.
WCO Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB A/P)
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.
The ROCB A/P has conducted many capacity building activities including organizing seminars/workshops and meetings, conducting diagnostic missions, assisting developing action plans, developing partnerships with donor agencies, and providing best practice reports since its establishment.
As of January 2025, the ROCB A/P has nine full-time seconded staff members. The ROCB A/P has a Head, four Program Managers, an Assistant Program Manager and three Program Coordinators, who are seconded from China Customs, Hong Kong Customs, Japan Customs (including the Head of the ROCB A/P), Korea Customs and the Thai Customs. The ROCB A/P would like to extend its profound appreciation to the Customs Administrations mentioned for seconding officials.
Welcome Message from Mr. Mark Ho
Greetings, I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to you all as I step into my new role at the ROCB A/P. My name is Mark Ho, and I come from the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department.
The ROCB A/P acts as a cornerstone of the regional approach for implementing the WCO’s Capacity Building Strategy. In cooperation with seven WCO Regional Training Centers (RTCs) in the A/P region, it supports 35 Member administrations in Asia Pacific Region.
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