22 October 2026, Bangkok

22 October 2026, Bangkok

Representatives from ROCB A/P and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met in person on 22 October 2026 to exchange views on capacity-building activities and to explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration in supporting Customs Administrations in the Asia/Pacific region.

The IMF team included Mr. Andrew Okello, Division Chief, Revenue Administration 1, Fiscal Affairs Department, and Mr. Mohammad Ehteshamul Hoque, Technical Assistance Advisor. From ROCB A/P, Mr. Jun Tajima, Head of ROCB A/P, Mr. Takeru Yamazaki, Program Manager, and Mr. Kridsada Somnapun, Assistant Program Manager, participated in the meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Tajima provided an overview of ROCB A/P’s role and initiatives, including its capacity building activities and ongoing efforts to identify and respond to the needs of Member Administrations. He highlighted the importance of maintaining close communication with stakeholders and development partners to ensure effective and sustainable support for Customs Administrations in the region.

Mr. Okello introduced the IMF’s current activities, including diagnostic tools being developed to support Customs Administrations. The participants also exchanged views on regional capacity-building needs and discussed potential areas for cooperation and coordination between the two organizations.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of further strengthening the cooperative relationship between ROCB A/P and the IMF. Both sides recognized the value of working together to support Customs administrations and expressed their commitment to enhancing collaboration, maximizing synergies, and exploring practical approaches to delivering more effective and impactful capacity building support across the region.

For more information, please contact ROCB A/P at rocb@rocbap.org.