WCO's Michel Danet paid a visit to Israel

Danet met Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad in Ramallah to discuss economic development and met with Israeli officials
 
Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Michel Danet was on a two days visit to Israel last week.
 
In a reception held by Mr. Doron Arbeli, head of the Israeli Customs Directorate, and Mr. Shlomo Sharon, chairman the Federation of Israeli International Freight Forwarders and Customs Clearing Agents (IFFCCA), Sharon notedThat the Israeli customs clearing sector was well aware of the WCO's work in areas covering the development of global standards, the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures, trade supply chain security, the facilitation of international trade, the enhancement of Customs enforcement and compliance activities, anti-counterfeiting and piracy initiatives.
 
Sharon also noted that the partnership approach championed by the WCO is one of the keys to building bridges between Customs administrations and their partners. By promoting the emergence of an honest, transparent and predictable Customs environment, the WCO directly contributes to the economic and social well-being of its Members.
 
Sharon also touched on the relationship with the Palestinian trading community emphasizing that "despite political hardship our co-operation with both the Palestinian trading community as well as their Customs and shipper's Council has been mutually developed over the last 15 years.
The Israeli customs brokerage sector has, for the last two decades, been representing the Palestinian trading community vis-א-vis the Israeli Government and institutions in order to facilitate Palestinian trade.
 
“We have been pushing for the systemization of land clearance of products coming in through Allenby bridge from Jordan, to ensure higher efficiency in the movement of goods owing to the fact that they are coming into Palestine and will not cross Israeli territory".
 
“We have been involved in cutting clearance time for cargo arriving through our maritime gateways by actively lobbying various government agencies as well as reducing storage and demurrage costs to our Palestinian clients.
 
“We have actively tried to ensure coordination and harmonization, where possible, between the Israeli and Palestinian standards bodies, in order to guaranteethat products do not undergo testing twice by both authorities.
 
“We have recognized and supported the establishment of a Palestinian Shipper’s Council which acts as a lobbying body on behalf of businesses that use shipping services, and which should champion the concept of trade facilitation in Palestine Authority. Since the setting up of the council we have had regular business meetings to iron out bilateral problems."
 
Mr. Arbeli expressed his gratitude for the outstanding co-operation the Israeli Customs Directorate has been receiving from the WCO. On Wednesday Danet met Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad in Ramallah  to discuss economic development.