./.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/VAL/W/69
26 May 2000
(00-2141)
Committee on Customs Valuation Original:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM THE MALDIVES CONCERNING PARAGRAPH 1 OF
ANNEX III OF THE AGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION
OF ARTICLE VII OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT
ON TARIFFS AND TRADE 1994
The following communication, dated 21 May 2000, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of the Republic of Maldives.
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The Government of the Republic of Maldives would like to seek an extension, for a further
period of two years, of the deadline for  implementation of the Agreement on Customs Valuation.  A
project is presently being implemented by the Maldives Customs Service to align the domesticcustoms valuation mechanism as necessary.  Attached is further justification for this extension.
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Scheduled activities synopsis and current scenario for
implementing the WTO Valuation Agreement
To achieve full WTO rules compliance, Maldives Customs Service had identified the
following activities as prerequisite measures:
1. Creation of a conductive, automated environment for faster and accurate documentation
process.
2. Gaining of thorough understanding of the practical operational/regulatory modalities of the
WTO Valuation Agreement.
3. Development of a Customs Act and related Rules and Regulations to ensure effective
implementation of the WTO Valuation Agreement and related procedures.
4. Establishment of a database and a price analysis tool to effectively combat valuation fraud
and detect valuation errors up front.
5. Deployment of public awareness programme with regard to the adequate understanding of the
concept and workings of the WTO Valuation Agreement.
With regard to the above, we have undertaken the following measures:
1. Under UNDP project funding, the ASYCUDA ++ system is being implemented for improved
cargo declaration processing and to make available EDI and the DTI facilities to the public.
This project is expected to be completed by end May 2000.G/VAL/W/69
Page 2
2. In coordination with the World Customs Organi zation, Customs Officers have attended a few
workshops and seminars to obtain a conceptual understanding of the GATT valuation system.
To update our knowledge and the technical aspects involved in implementing the WTO
Valuation Agreement, the WCO has conducted a five-day valuation workshop for selected
senior level officials and officers in Male, from 23-27 April 2000, at our request.  It was aneffective training package covering both WTO Valuation principles, techniques and the
modalities of international trade.
3. We have formulated a project under the Asian Development Bank funding in early April 2000
to develop a Customs Act and related Rules and Regulations, to obtain a price analysis tool
and database management system and to raise the level of academic and functional skills of
staff.  This project is due to be completed by the end of 2001.
4. We expect to conduct a comprehensive media programme to raise public awareness of the
benefits of compliance with the WTO Rules.
Therefore, in order to complete our preparatory activities as indicated above, for
implementing the WTO Valuation Agreement, we would require a deferment period of two years.
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