Morocco hosted the eight edition of the World Custom Organization on information technology. The WCO chose Marrakech as venue for this milestone event held on 22nd through 24th April in partnership with the Moroccan Customs and Indirect Taxes Office.
This conference was on the benefits of "single window office" for economic operators, a crucial issue for world trade. The single window office is now considered as a key element not only in enhancing exchange and thereby reducing costs and shortening periods but also in ensuring a well coordinated management of borders as indicated in the WCO perspectives for the 21st century.
This international symposium was an opportunity to address and explore the role of capital and the input of technology in speeding up tasks of all operators at the borders. It brought together representatives of various customs offices, especially those involved in IT, members of financial institutions as well as other operators in international trade, more specifically in areas of transport, logistics and economic development.
Participants in this conference had a chance to explore a wide range of opportunities offered by IT towards a better management of international trade, a more efficient, viable, secure and transparent handling of custom transactions.
The conference included other activities such as workshops, exhibitions aimed at promoting exchange of expertise between government decision makers and members of the private sectors represented by IT providers of services and added value solutions in the customs sector, trade and transport.
Proceedings of this conference were inaugurated by the Minister of Economy and Finance and chaired by the director of the Custom Office and Indirect Taxes as well as the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization. Members of the audience included dignitaries from public sector and eminent personalities from the business world.
For further information on this conference, visit website http://www.wcoomd.org/fr/eventsfr factsheet1.htm