The World Customs Organisation and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Agreement to further strengthen cooperation between the two organisations.

The WCO has designated Customs- Trade Partnership as its key theme for 2010 and as there have been significant developments on Customs matters since the signing of the last MoU it was recognised that it was important to update the existing MoU, the two said in a statement.

It was important, the two said, “to establish a strong, up-to-date basis for future co-operation which reflects the contemporary global situation and its challenges.”

The new MoU will strengthen WCO/ FIATA co-operation and endeavour to adopt mutual guidelines towards the implementation of technical developments and widespread use of the agreed upon standards and procedures.