Customs and IPA sign MoU, renew partnership

THE PNG Customs Service and Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) have renewed their partnership to work together in relation to trade, border protection and facilitation, promoting investment including intellectual property enforcement.
Customs chief commissioner David Towe and IPA managing director Clarence Hoot signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Port Moresby yesterday to strengthen their ongoing cooperation.
The previous MoU was first signed in 2013 and lapsed in 2016.
Hoot said the MoU stemmed from the need to uphold the responsibilities and obligations of the national government under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and in particular, the Trade Related Aspects of the Intellectual Property Rights and their duties as the relevant government agencies to implement enforcement responsibilities and obligations integral to the WTO.
The MoU also recognises the responsibilities and obligations of IPA and Customs PNG under the Financial Action Task Force and its regional associate of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering and their duties as relevant government agencies to implement enforcement and obligations integral to anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing.
He said the MoU would operate through the use of endorsed channels of communication, partnership and cooperation, exchange of information, joint programmes and consultations.
Parties will also be guided by their respective responsibilities under the MoU and within their respective legislative frameworks.