Eswatini Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini received a courtesy visit from the World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Dr Kunio Mikuriya at Cabinet offices in Mbabane on Tuesday.

The meeting was aimed at strengthening the cooperation between Eswatini and the WCO, which is an intergovernmental organization that promotes the effective and efficient administration of customs and facilitates international trade.

The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the WCO’s support and assistance to Eswatini in enhancing its customs capacity and modernization. He also highlighted the importance of customs in ensuring the security and prosperity of the country and the region.

Dr Mikuriya commended Eswatini for its active participation and contribution to the WCO’s activities and initiatives. He also praised Eswatini for its achievements in implementing the WCO’s standards and instruments, such as the Revised Kyoto Convention, the SAFE Framework of Standards, and the Harmonized System.

The two leaders also discussed the challenges and opportunities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the digital transformation of customs. They agreed to continue working together to address these issues and enhance the role of customs in facilitating trade and development.