A three day SAFE – AEO programme assessment workshop was held from 23 – 25 May 2017 at the Headquarters of the Brunei Royal Customs & Excise Department in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam with support of the WCO Customs Cooperation Fund. 20 officials from the various sections and districts of Brunei were in attendance. In his opening remarks the Acting Controller of Customs Mr. Mohammad Mui’nuddin Chin bin Abdul Rahman emphasized the need of the successful implementation of the programme as a vehicle to facilitate compliant traders in the country. In addition, he expects that the programme will also encourage more foreign direct investments into the country.
The workshop focused on Brunei’s Sutera Lane Merchant Scheme (SLMS) programme and its implementation plans through various exercises conducted together with all the participants. Special attention was paid to the gap analysis between the SAFE AEO and the forthcoming SLMS programme with an aim to ensure that the programme is aligned and compatible to international standards. The Brunei Customs will further work on the gaps identified with the intent of launching their programme at the end of this year.
Within ASEAN, 5 countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have already implemented the SAFE AEO programme and Brunei expects to be the 6th member with the intention of enhancing intra-regional trade.
29/05/2017