On November 17, Minister Yu Guangzhou and Vice Sun Yibiao met with Mr. Beker Shale, Director General of Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority in Beijing. Both sides spoke highly of the economic and trade relations between the two countries and agreed to expand cooperation between the two Customs administrations.

Minister Yu put forward five proposals on promoting the cooperation. Firstly, the two sides shall deepen the exchanges between personnel of different levels and establish a liaison and cooperation mechanism. Secondly, cooperation of capacity building, regular training and exchanges shall be enhanced under the framework of the Arrangement for Capacity Building Cooperation between Countries along the Belt and Road and of the WCO China Cooperation Fund China. Thirdly, cooperation on trade facilitation, AEO and application of scientific and technological equipment shall be pushed forward and customs-business exchanges be intensified. Fourthly, the two sides shall have closer contact in law enforcement, combating smuggling of endangered animals and plants and drug trafficking so that they can, in due time, negotiate towards signing the agreement on mutual administrative assistance. Fifthly, both sides shall expand their exchange of experience on reform of customs modernization.

Director General Shale agreed with Minister Yu’s proposals and indicated that Ethiopian Customs would expand its cooperation with China Customs and expected China Customs to provide more assistance in capacity building.

Minister Yu Guangzhou and Vice Minister Sun Yibiao meet with

Director General of Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority.