Representatives of Central Asian Customs Agencies Discuss Improvements in Customs Procedures
From December 7-8, USAID organized a seminar for Central Asia’s customs officials to present the results and recommendations of a USAID-funded assessment on the local customs compliance with international standards. Participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan also heard presentations from donor organizations involved in customs and trade reform activities in the region about their completed, current, and planned projects. Together with donors, regional customs specialists identified priority areas for future donor assistance that will further improve customs operations and address administrative and procedural weaknesses.
The workshop was held in the context of the regional customs services improvement initiative announced by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her visit to Central Asia in October 2005. The initiative, implemented by USAID’s Regional Competitiveness Initiative Project, aims to reduce border transaction costs, promote a more transparent and predictable commercial environment, and encourage greater cooperation among international donors, governments, and the private sector.
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Customs officials discussed ways to align their procedures with
international standards
Photo Credit: Trade and Investment Facilitation Project |
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