Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 20 / Trend V. Zhavoronkova/
A three-day regional training workshop on the implementation of an Authorized Economic Operator programme and the use of ICT and non-intrusive inspection methods by customs agencies started at the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe on Thursday, the organization reported.
The participants will learn how countries can develop and implement their own trusted trader initiatives, with particular attention on accepting and recognizing each others' programmes. The training emphasizes the importance of building partnerships between customs and the trade community. The trusted trader programme enlists the co-operation of private industry to enhance border and supply-chain security, combat organized crime and terrorism and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling. It allows countries to pursue simultaneously increased trade security and facilitation.
"The introduction of Authorized Economic Operator programmes as described in the WCO's SAFE Framework of Standards is of high relevance for the region. Both customs agencies and the private sector can benefit from it. If implemented properly, it can help customs agencies to achieve higher compliance levels and security guarantees, while the private sector benefits from the simplified procedures and clearance processes," Ambassador Ivar Vikki, the Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan said.
The seminar was co-organized with the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the World Customs Organization (WCO). It gathers mid- and senior-ranking customs officials as well as business representatives from Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
This is the second training activity co-organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the OSCE Border Management Staff College this year. It was preceded by a regional seminar in July on the recently-released OSCE-UNECE Handbook of Best Practices at Border Crossings - A Trade and Transport Facilitation Perspective.