. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/VAL/N/4/MDV/1
20 March 2002
(02-1450)
Committee on Customs Valuation Original:  English
NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE DECISION UNDER PARAGRAPH 1
OF ANNEX III OF TH E AGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION
OF ARTICLE VII OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE 1994
MALDIVES
The following communication, dated 27 February 2002, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives.
_______________
To successfully adopt and apply the World Trade Organization (WTO) valuation rules by
May 2002, the Maldives Customs Service obtained Technical Assistance from the Asian
Development Bank.  To this end, a capacity-build ing project to create the infrastructure needed to
strengthen the valuation capacity, enhance transparency and accountability has been implemented.
The project comprised three components:- Improve customs administration and operational functions
- Develop a supportive legal framework
- Establish a valuation database and price analysis tool
The project commenced in March 2001
Current Status
- The drafted Customs Act has been translated into Dhivehi (Maldivian language) and
submitted to the Law Commission.  This is the first practical step for its passage through
Parliament.
- The drafted Regulations and Handbook have been translated similarly.  After the Draft Act
has been passed, the Regulation and the Handbook will be finalized and implemented
accordingly.
- Customs have provided overall valuation training to 246 officers, in-depth training to
45 officers and Audit and Investigation training to 41 officers.
- A series of public awareness programmes have been conducted, as well 149 participated from
the trading community.
- A price valuation database has been created and this data source is being used for analysis and
reference purposes.
- Post-clearance audit procedures are already in place.G/VAL/N/4/MDV/1
Page 2
Considering the progress achieved thus far by the Maldives Customs Service in completing
the prerequisite activities as stated in WTO Committee on Customs Valuation's Circular reference
G/VAL/W/69 dated 26 May 2000 (00-2141), the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation would be
implemented in Maldives as soon as the legislation is enacted by Parliament.
__________