The Inspection and Control Services Limited (ICS) on Monday initiated a four-week training course on the theme: “Customs Valuation: Understanding The Agreement on Customs Valuation”.

The workshop, which is in two back to back sessions, will attract 32 participants from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Economics and Organised Crime Office and Ministry of Trade and Industry for each segment.

The programme, which is the third in a series, is part of the continuous improving regiment of ICS, says Mr. William Benjamin Assuah, Deputy General Manager in charge of Operations.

He said it formed part of the contractual obligations of ICS to train stakeholders to make the right judgment for importers and government in terms of the revenue that would accrue to the State.

Mr. Assuah said customs have central tools to maximise revenue collection, using the declaration of importers in terms of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules for government, to access revenue in a fair, neutral and reasonable manner.

He noted that valuation is dynamic and so knowledge in the field is constantly changing hence the essence of the training.

Mr. Wallace Akondor, Assistant Commissioner in charge of training of the Customs Division, asked the participants to master the principles of valuation to enhance their work.

He said valuation is the core function of customs, which is an interactive convention ratified by Ghana.

Mr. Akondor observed that the “notional view of valuation has been replaced with the transaction price”.

Mr. Shaju Jose Vallapy of the ICS in Kuwait, who is the main facilitator of the course, said the participants would get the understanding about customs valuation agreement which is about international rules enacted by WTO.

The rules have 24 articles and three annexes.

Mr. Vallapy said the legislation deals with technical articles and administrative settlements with special provisions for developing countries, which are given preferential treatment.

ICS Ghana started operations in January 2003 and is part of the ICS Group which comprises various firms with extensive e-government experience and international infrastructure.

The group assists governments in enhancing trade revenues while maintaining controls and facilitating trade.

The group provides tailor made solutions through the deployment of its flagship product, MicroClear, which is a proprietary and internally developed and enhanced world-class supply chain, customs and e-commerce and decision support solution.

ICS was established in 1996 to provide governments with effective services designed to enhance customs and tax revenues.

The company has over the years developed into a world-wide organisation with expertise in specialised technology and a creative and practical system for providing valuation assistance to customs organisations in accordance with WTO and World Customs Organisation guidelines.

The ICS Group currently relies on the expertise and support of 550 offices located in more than 100 countries.**