MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE NEW ZEALAND CUSTOMS SERVICE
FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 2002
Asia Pacific Customs Cooperation
Asia Pacific Customs administrations have agreed to enhance cooperation in the fight against Customs offences and other
trans-national crime.
Delegates from 21 Asia Pacific Customs administrations have been meeting in Auckland this week along with
representatives from the World Customs Organisation, the Oceania Customs Organisation and the Regional Intelligence
Liaison Office.
New Zealand is currently the chair of the Asia Pacific Region of the World Customs Organisation.
The meeting endorsed a Regional Strategic Plan that sets out a number of specific steps to be taken over the next two
years to improve cooperation and strengthen the capabilities of regional members.
That will see Customs administrations sharing expertise in areas such as information technology, enforcement, tariff
classification and valuation of goods.
Those at the meeting also made a commitment to improving links with other international organisations.
New Zealand Comptroller of Customs Robin Dare says while the Asia Pacific region is very diverse the meeting was
collaborative in nature, reaching consensus on many issues.
“Customs business is international by nature, and forums like this are a valuable opportunity to develop a common
approach.”
Robin Dare says the balance between facilitating trade and protecting national borders is always challenging and he
noted that these issues are also being discussed at the APEC meetings in Mexico.
The Asia Pacific Regional meeting concludes at midday today.
ENDS