MONROVIA, Liberia — The World Customs Organization (WCO) has commenced a week-long diagnostic mission aimed at assisting the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) in establishing an internationally recognized Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program as part of ongoing efforts to modernize customs operations and facilitate trade.
The mission is being conducted under the WCO’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Program, with funding from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs of the United Kingdom. It is focused on assessing Liberia’s preparedness to implement an AEO framework that meets international standards and best practices.
Speaking at the opening of the exercise, LRA Commissioner of Customs Saa Saamoi reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to advancing customs modernization through strengthened cooperation with the WCO and other international partners.
Commissioner Saamoi said the initiative builds on several reforms already undertaken by the LRA, including the establishment of its Trusted Traders Program, the successful completion of Liberia’s second Time Release Study, business process re-engineering, customs automation, improvements in border infrastructure, and preparations for the introduction of a National Single Window.
WCO experts Yasmeen Elahi and Nnenna Ugo-Awa of the Nigeria Customs Service said the assessment will help determine the gaps that remain between Liberia’s existing Trusted Traders Program and internationally recognized AEO standards.
They said the mission will also draw on international experiences and best practices to provide guidance on developing and implementing an effective AEO framework suited to Liberia’s customs environment.
Following the diagnostic assessment, the WCO is expected to continue providing technical assistance to the LRA as it works toward implementing the internationally recognized AEO Program.
The initiative is expected to strengthen border management, improve customs efficiency, facilitate legitimate trade, and enhance Liberia’s competitiveness within the ECOWAS regional market.
