June 16, 2015 The World Customs Organization (WCO) has accredited a Regional Training Center in Amman, Jordan, that will advance efforts to modernize and reform customs processes.

The Jordan Customs Agency will now be able to conduct high-quality, in-house training for customs officers, partner government agencies, and brokers within the region. The Jordan Fiscal Reform Bridge Activity (JFRBA) Project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by Nathan Associates, supported the customs agency in pursing accreditation.

Jordan Customs began preparations for WCO accreditation of its training center in 2011, with assistance from the USAID-funded Jordan Fiscal Reform Project II (FRP II). FRP II helped with a review of existing practices at the Jordan Customs Training Center based on WCO standards and visits to WCO Regional Centers in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

FRP II and JFRBA supported workshops to build the capacity of Jordan Customs to conduct internal training a
major requirement for WCO accreditation. The workshops, including two in April and May of this year, certified 72 trainers within various customs disciplines by teaching effective techniques for preparation, instruction, and presentation.

Strengthened Relationships

WCO Regional Training Centers are virtually autonomous entities that maintain pools of specialist trainers in
region-specific customs matters. Centers have a critical role to play in developing standardized practices among neighbors and trade partners, and in strengthening trade relationships between partner\r\ncountries.

JFRBA Component Lead Mazen Abu Alghanam and Training Center Director Mohammad Obeidat presented the Center application to the WCO headquarters in Brussels this month. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed June 12 between Jordan Customs Director General Munther Al Assaf and WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya. The Jordan Regional Training Center is the 25th regional center to be accredited by the WCO.