The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Center (METAC) held a workshop on “Tax-Customs Interaction” in Beirut, Lebanon from August 26-28, 2014. It was attended by senior representatives of both tax and customs authorities from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In total, 32 delegates from 10 countries attended. The countries represented included: Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen.

The workshop examined opportunities and obstacles related to achieving greater interaction and cooperation between tax and customs administrations. Presentations and discussions over the three days were built around three broad topic areas: the first day dealt with legal and institutional issues; the second addressed systems issues and featured joint presentations from the Software and Solutions Company SAP and Deloitte; and the third focused on practical issues of organization and management.

A highly participative approach was adopted, based on breakout group discussions and presentations in plenary. Delegates were encouraged to share their experiences and ideas, with a view to establishing a basis for continued knowledge sharing throughout the region.

In a final wrap-up session, participants were given the opportunity to identify potential areas for future METAC technical assistance support.

Quick links:

Press Release No. 04/224: Inauguration of the Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Center (METAC)

Factsheet: IMF Technical Assistance

Factsheet: IMF Regional Technical Assistance Centers