The Malta Customs Department shall be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the EU Customs Union on Friday 16th November with several initiatives throughout the morning.
1. Book launch
The first activity of the day is a book launch which will take place in a leading hotel. For this occasion, Malta Customs, in collaboration with TAXUD Directorate within the European Commission, has published a book entitled ‘THE EU CUSTOMS UNION @ 50: CONCEPT TO CONTINUUM’. The book is to be officially launched on Friday 16th November 2018 at 08:45hrs during a press conference which will be addressed by Mr Joseph Chetcuti, Director General (Customs) and Mr Philip Kermode, Deputy Director General (TAXUD).
‘THE EU CUSTOMS UNION @ 50: CONCEPT TO CONTINUUM’ is a compilation of 32 writings that reflect several aspects of the functioning of the Customs Union shedding light on its current and future dynamics.
The objective was to incorporate writings by people who may have touched different aspects of the Customs Union from within the European Union, third countries and International Institutions. In this regard, the publication provides contributions and substantial suggestions for future developments and changes envisaged for the Customs Union.
The book addresses the knowledge gap that prevails, particularly among those who are not in direct contact with the Customs Union. The publication is aimed at providing light reading about a complex, yet interesting subject that somehow has a direct or indirect bearing on the European citizens’ way of life and beyond, while increasing the visibility of the Customs Union, the responsibilities associated with it and its benefits.
The book includes 6 Chapters:
• THE CUSTOMS UNION – A DYNAMIC REALITY!
• TRADE FACILITATION
• SAFETY, SECURITY AND COOPERATION
• EXPLOITING TECHNOLOGY
• CAPACITY BUILDING
• THE CUSTOMS UNION AND BEYOND
2. National Conference during a special Parliamentary Session
Following the book launch, a Parliamentary Session will be held, for which the European Commission and the Constituted Bodies were invited. The agenda of the Parliamentary session is as follows:
AGENDA
10:00 The Hon. Claudette Buttigieg M.P., Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta, welcomes and addresses participants of the National Conference marking the 50th Anniversary of the European Customs Union.
10:10 Mr Joseph Chetcuti, Director-General, Department of Customs
10:15 Screening of a Documentary on Customs Malta over the years
10:25 Mr Alan Mamo, Director, (Compliance and Systems) on e-commerce
10:35 Mr George Scerri, Director (Enforcement), and Ms Marisa Hewer, Director (Excise) on Enforcement
10:45 Mr Ian Muscat, Director (International Affairs and Policy) on present and future challenges faced by Customs Authorities
10:55 Mr Philip Kermode, Deputy Director General DG TAXUD, European Commission
11:05 The Hon. Mario de Marco M.P., Opposition Spokesperson for Finance
11:15 The Hon. Edward Scicluna M.P., Minister for Finance
11:25 Remarks from the Director General, Department of Customs
11.35 Concluding remarks by the Hon. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta
11:40 Commemorative Group Photo
3. Outdoor activities
Between 09:00hrs and noon several outdoor activities for the public will take place in Pjazza Teatru Rjal. Several private and public schools will be attending these outdoor activities. These include Canine Shows (every half hour), ZBV Scanning Demonstrations (every half hour), video game live demo, walk around the Nuctech container scanner, distribution of informative literature and more. Several private and public schools will be attending these outdoor activities.