Local News

WTO/WCO GATT Valuation Training Workshop for Customs Officials & Key Stakeholders

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, Thirty persons, including fifteen Customs Officials and representatives from key institutions, are currently participating in a Valuation Training Workshop on the General Agreements on Tariff and Trade (GAAT) at the Grenada National Stadium. 
 
 The workshop is being hosted by the Department of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, Economy, Energy and Cooperatives, and the Trade Unit of the Ministry of Environment, Foreign Trade and Cooperatives.
 
 The Customs Department calls the training “very important,’’ saying it’s part of ongoing efforts to improve on its role of facilitating greater trade for Grenada.
 
 According to the local coordinator of the workshop, Lyndonna Hillaire-Marshall, “The aim of the workshop is to familiarize participants with Customs Valuation in the GATT system, while highlighting the different methodologies that can be used to determine the customs value of imports.”
 
 Ms. Marshall, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, further stated that, “the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) consented to provide technical assistance to Grenada through the sponsoring of the GAAT Valuation Training Workshop.”
 
 Workshop facilitator is Mr. Terdsak Suvarnamani, an expert with 20 years experience in valuation. He is a technical advisor with the WCO’s Trade and Tariff Directorate.
 
 A key component of the workshop is the training of participants in preparation for the implementation of GATT Valuation, including identifying the necessary tools and instruments to assist with Customs Control in the new valuation system.
 
 “This is critical since Grenada is serious about meeting most of its obligations with the WTO so that the country can be positioned to draw down on the assistance that can be made available to help with the development of the country,” Ms. Marshall said.
 
 The workshop ends on Thursday, December 10, with a short closing session that will include the presentation of certificates to participants.

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