For a lot of
people this morning was their first day in school. We lost quite a few
friends last week but their places were filled by newbies – again from all over
the world; maybe a few more European, USA, Canada people than before.
They must have thought it very odd seeing us all from last week greeting each
other - kissing/ hugging/ laughing, very multi-cultural and
multi-lingual. We had an opening session and I sat next to a guy from a
software company in the USA: “Must have been one hell of a good week last
week,” he said, “sorry I missed it. Probably too late for me to fit in
like the rest of you.” But by lunchtime he was chatting over lunch with a
guy from Manila, two ladies from Brazil and a couple from the Congo – it
doesn’t take long to get to know each other here.
We had a
great “professor” for valuation in the morning, Leonardo from Brazil working at
the WCO. He loves valuation – the philosophy, the history, the practical, the
legal – fantastic sessions with jazz, classical music and dancing used to
enhance our understanding. Did you know that determining intercompany
pricing was like a dance? Neither did I until this morning. A very
un-Brazilian dance though – arms-length! OK, you had to be there to get
the joke, maybe.
There are
about 30 people in my group doing valuation – about 150 people here in total
(50/50 trade and customs). We have been doing some practical workshops as
well as learning the WTO Valuation law – I know it but I’ve never been taught
it in this way so it’s great. I really am a sad Customs nerd … but then
I’m in a class of 30 other nerds.
Dinner:
Katrina and Gabriela and I wandering into the Grand Palace and found a place
serving pasta. It made a nice change. Another 10 hours on valuation
tomorrow and Leonardo is back … dancing? We’ll see.
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