India becomes Vice-Chair (Regional Head) of Asia Pacific Region of World Customs Organisation (WCO)

India has become the Vice-Chair (Regional Head) of the Asia Pacific Region of World Customs Organisation (WCO) for a period of two years, from July 2018 to June 2020. According to a Finance Ministry release, the position will enable India to take on leadership role of Asia Pacific Region of the organization. The WCO has divided its Membership into six Regions. Each of the six Regions is represented by a regionally elected Vice-Chairperson to the WCO Council. Currently, WCO represents 182 Customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters and can rightly call itself the voice of the international Customs community.