On June 20, the eighteenth meeting of the Customs Cooperation Committee kicked off in Tashkent within the framework of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program.
The event is attended by delegations of customs services of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of the World Customs Organization, Asian Development Bank.
At the meeting, Uzbekistan forwarded an initiative to introduce a unified information system between customs services of CAREC member states. This initiative provides for introduction of a single window system of CAREC member states, drawing up carriers’ list, organization of electronic document management, creation of entrepreneurs’ personal cabinet. Customs authorities will be informed in advance about goods and vehicles imported across state borders through unified information system. This, in turn, will ensure rapid passage of border by entrepreneurs, will make it possible to reduce financial costs.
This initiative was approved by the customs services of CAREC member states. Representatives of Tajikistan, Pakistan, China, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan noted that the customs system of their countries has similar practices implemented on the basis of bilateral agreements, so there is a need for a single system for development of multifaceted cooperation. Creation of a unified information system in the future will contribute to further development of regional trade-economic relations.
The work carried out within the framework of Customs Cooperation Council Program for 2019-2020, issues related to technical support of the Asian Development Bank for implementation of advanced innovations in member states were discussed at the meeting.
Within the framework of CAREC Strategy, Uzbekistan provides for implementation of 24 projects on modernization of transport communications, logistics and customs until 2020.
Tashkent will host ministerial conference of member states of the program within the framework of Uzbekistan’s chairmanship. Customs Cooperation Council meeting of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program is a preparation for this prestigious event.
