04/11/2014

On 3 and 4 November 2014, the European Union Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission (EUBAM) in Libya conducted a workshop in Brussels with representatives of Libya Customs. The aim of the workshop was to plan the way ahead for the agreed multi-year Libya Customs Business Strategy.

Despite the current political difficulties and deteriorating security situation in Libya, EUBAM and Libyan Customs have continued to work closely together. The approval of the Business Strategy is a remarkable achievement by Libya Customs, for which EUBAM is pleased to have been Libya Customs’ primary partner. 

Libya Customs foresees a timeframe of 6 years for putting in place the required changes in the Business Strategy. It includes Strategic Objectives, specific goals and necessary measures to promote reforms in fundamental areas such as Human Resources, IT, internal organisation, Integrated Border Management, enforcement and international cooperation. The specific aim of the November workshop was to further enhance the Libya Customs Business Strategy to take account of the latest World Customs Organisation (WCO) Permanent Technical Committee updates on trade facilitation topics such as the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and of the Revised Kyoto Convention. The latter was a direct request by the Director General of the Libya Customs as Libya Customs intends to join the Revised Kyoto Convention, which provides guidance to Customs administrations throughout the world.

Libya Customs now wishes to develop a roadmap leading to the production of an Action Plan to deliver the Business Strategy. This will require further support, and Libya Customs has asked EUBAM to help them develop the roadmap and the Action Plan. They also seek continued support for the early stages of the Action Plan, as Libya Customs prepares to set up the structures and processes needed to implement the required reforms.