WCO held a workshop on risk management

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) organised a risk management workshop in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Directorate for Indirect Taxation, at the headquarters in Banja Luka from June 27 to 30, 2022. The workshop was attended by 24 ITA officials, and was financially supported by the Korea Customs Fund. The participants were from 4 regional centers and from the headquarters of the ITA and covered all levels, from field customs officers to senior management level.

The four-day workshop was led by a representative of the Risk Management Program of the World Customs Organisation in the Sub-Directorate for Compliance and Enforcement, and an accredited WCO expert from the Polish State Revenue Administration.

This Workshop was a very good opportunity for BiH Customs to strengthen its existing risk management processes and to adopt new approaches as a solid basis for future operations in risk assessment, profiling and targeting, including information sharing and intelligence. Participants were able to learn about the relationship between risk-based selectivity and effective resource allocation, facilitation and control. In addition, the theoretical and practical sessions provided the participants with an opportunity to exchange opinions and experiences with each other and with the WCO facilitators. Using the WCO Customs Risk Management Compendium, they deepened their knowledge of risk identification and profile development.

WCO experts emphasized the importance of adopting a holistic approach to risk management. During the workshop, participants discussed how to identify and address risks, as well as how to develop an effective profile using the methodology explained in the WCO Compendium on Customs Risk Management. Topics covered during the workshop were, among others, risk management at the organisational level; operational risk management (ie risk assessment, profiling and targeting, including information and intelligence). The practical exercises greatly contributed to further understanding of the various topics, which included union group work, practical exercises and videos.

The Indirect Tax Authority expressed its gratitude to the WCO for its continued support not only in risk management, but also in all other areas of customs.