Kosovo: CLDP Leads Workshop on Authorized Economic Operators

From June 7-8, in coordination with Kosovo Customs and the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, CLDP conducted a workshop on Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) in Pristina, Kosovo. Following Kosovo’s accession to the World Customs Organization (WCO) in March 2017, CLDP has begun working with Kosovo Customs to develop and implement an AEO system that meets WCO standards and follows international best practices. This workshop included 35 customs officials as well as 10 representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo, who were invited to provide their perspective and learn about the potential benefits of an AEO system to businesses in Kosovo.

The program focused on the key elements of AEO status laid out in the WCO Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework), intended to harmonize customs standards globally. Experts also discussed the US version of the SAFE Framework AEO program, which is called the Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT). To deliver this training, CLDP called upon the expertise of two European Union (EU) experts from the Customs Administration of the Czech Republic as well as an expert from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This event was part of a series of workshops aimed at building the capacity of Kosovo Customs to effectively facilitate trade across borders and promote a climate favorable to international commerce and investment.