LRA Commissioner accredited at World Customs Organization w/shop
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Assistant Customs Commissioner for Policy and Technical Operations, William L. Buku, has been accredited as a World Customs Organization (WCO) Mercator Program Advisor (MPA) in the area of Trade Facilitation.
A release from the LRA says the Mercator Program, launched at the WCO Council in June 2014, is a strategic initiative to support the sustainable and effective implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation.
With his accreditation, Mr. Buku joins the WCO experts’ pool in order to support WCO members with the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
Mr. Buku was accredited in July after the LRA nominated him to participate in the WCO MPA Accreditation Workshop, held in Pretoria, South Africa in February 2016.During the workshop, which marked the first phase of the accreditation process, Mr. Buku successfully demonstrated his knowledge and skills in the field of TFA, according to a communication to the LRA signed by WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya.
The release says LRA Assistant Customs Commissioner also displayed strong facilitation and presentation skills during the second phase of the accreditation process, when he co-facilitated the WCO workshop on Article 23 of the TFA, dealing with National Committees on Trade Facilitation, held from 12 to 16 June 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Moving forward, the WCO and relevant members will benefit from Buku’s expertise in future capacity building activities under the framework of the Mercator Program. The WCO notes that it will formally approach the LRA Administration in advance to obtain Mr. Buku’s release prior to any field mission. LRA Commissioner General Madam Elfrieda Stewart Tamba, applauds Commissioner Buku for his achievement and excellent representation of the country. Press Release
