For immediate use Monday March 4 2002

A top-level delegation from China’s Customs administration is here this week for meetings with its New Zealand counterparts on issues including integrity.

New Zealand’s Comptroller of Customs, Robin Dare, says integrity is recognised internationally as an issue for Customs organisations.

“Customs organisations are not alone in having to find ways to prevent corruption and strengthen integrity. However Customs’ role in controlling trade and travel makes it a particular target for attempts to influence decision-making.

“The World Customs Organisation encourages organisations to help each other in building and strengthening institutional integrity,” says Mr Dare.

The APEC Sub-Committee of Customs Procedures also recognises that reducing corruption and increasing integrity contribute to facilitating trade.

The World Customs Organisation acknowledges New Zealand as a leader in the area of integrity.

World Customs Organisation Secretary-General Michel Danet commented recently that New Zealand has made a very significant contribution through the exemplary way that integrity best practices have been incorporated into its organisational and administrative practice and its thoughtful and constructive contributions to international fora.

The Chinese delegation arriving today is led by Mr Zhao Rong, a Member of the Board of the General Administration of China Customs.

New Zealand and China signed a formal agreement to cooperate on customs matters in 1995, which provides a framework for mutual assistance and information sharing.

The five-person delegation will be in Wellington for discussions on integrity and human resource management, including government and public expectations. They will also visit Auckland, where they will observe Customs operations at Auckland airport as well as meeting senior operational managers.

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