In a context where trade facilitation has become an essential tool for the efficiency of international trade because of its growing ability to attract foreign investment, where the credible economic operator is becoming increasingly allergic to all harassment, where securing the international supply chain has become a requirement in international trade, Customs administrations must deploy modern control techniques to facilitate transactions. This will consist of granting privileges to economic operators deemed credible on the basis of a number of criteria and on the other hand, enhancing controls over transactions of those deemed to be at risk. In response to these many concerns, the Benin Customs Administration, through the institutional and computer reforms introduced by the government, with the technical support of the Webb Fontaine Group, has implemented the programme of approved economic operators based on the SAFE standard framework. The launch of the pilot phase of this programme on 14 May 2019 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Cotonou, in the presence of the administrative political authorities, economic operators and other actors in the supply chain, devoted the effective operationalization of the programme. Benin thus became one of the few countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that had implemented the programme in accordance with the recommendations of the SAFE dossier. It is in this context that^Second Meeting of the SAFE working group held from 22 to 25 October 2019 at the headquarters of the World Customs Organization in Brussels, Belgium, to present (share its experiences with other Customs administrations around the world) its national programme of the Economic Operators. Benin Customs were occasionally represented by the Commander of Customs Raouf Malèhossou ABOUDOUVice-Chairman of the Committee for the Implementation of the OAS Programme and Rapporteur of the Support Cell for Institutional and Information Technology Reforms.

The SAFE Working Group is composed of WCO member countries and the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG), as well as representatives of international organisations and other bodies with WCO observer status. In view of the growing concerns about security issues and emerging threats, as well as the increasing digitization of supply chains and renewed attention to trade facilitation, the Working Group is a valuable forum for Members to agree together on measures to strengthen security and facilitate global trade. In addition, it envisages innovative measures for the harmonized implementation of the SAFE Standards Framework and the AEO Programme, as part of global initiatives for customs and border modernization and reform.

Informed of the effective implementation of the OAS Programme in Benin, the Working Group through the WCO Secretariat therefore invited Benin to present its OAS Programme to other Members. The presentation of the Beninese Customs has taken place on two main points: the history of the Programme and its content. As regards history, the Inspector of Customs Raouf Malèhossou ABOUDOU the Government's motivations for institutional and information technology reforms and the role played by Webb Fontaine, a provider designated by the Government in the implementation of these reforms.

The point concerning the content of the Beninese OAS Programme allowed the speaker to explain the three types of statutes envisaged to be issued, namely, the OAS customs simplifications, status OAS Security and Safety Status OAS Complete, the criteria for eligibility to the various statutes, the procedure for processing applications and granting of the status requested, the various advantages for the operator and the remedies against decisions to reject, suspend or withdraw OAS certificates (see circular note on the customs website). www.customs-benin.net for more details). Information materials developed to provide participants with useful information on the content of the Beninese OAS Programme had been distributed.

Finally, he thanked the World Customs Organization for its many technical assistance missions in implementing the programme. A note of satisfaction was also sent to the customs administrations which assisted the various delegations of the Benin Customs Administration in the impregnation missions carried out: Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire and Japan. Beninese Customs also posted their full readiness to welcome the various delegations in Cotonou who would like to draw inspiration from the Beninese example.

At the end of the presentation and the various clarification questions that filled the discussions, the WCO congratulated the Benin Customs Administration on its efforts in implementing the OAS Programme and on its willingness to share its experience with other Members.

According to the discussions, several countries, namely Senegal, Mali and Nigeria, immediately came forward to draw inspiration from the example of Benin.