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OSCE supports opening of training centre for Kyrgyz and Afghan customs officers

1 November 2013
Kyrgyz customs dog handlers march with their sniffer dogs at the opening ceremony of the OSCE-supported Training Centre for Kyrgyz and Afghan customs services, Leninskoe, 1 November 2013. (OSCE/John Krob) Photo details

LENINSKOE, Kyrgyzstan, 1 November 2013 - An opening ceremony of a training centre for customs officers from Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan took place today in Leninskoe village near Bishkek.  In 2013 and 2014, some 360 officers will be trained in the new centre established with the OSCE support.

Participants will be trained in identification and detection of narcotics, risk analysis, examination of cargo containers and trailers, analysis of cargo documents, scanner use and image analysis. Sessions on legal codification and customs intelligence techniques will be conducted by OSCE-trained instructors from Kyrgyzstan’s State Customs Service.

The new facility boasts a computer classroom for e-learning and a library to conduct research; as well as a refurbished canteen and a dormitory.

Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: “Addressing security threats from illicit drugs and goods trafficking requires enhanced collaboration and co-ordinated action of all stakeholders from countries in the Central Asian region. I hope the newly established training centre will further assist customs services in dealing with regional challenges in border management.”

“It will advance the technical capacity of the Kyrgyz and Afghan customs officers, enhance their technical skills and expand the knowledge base of all relevant stakeholders in this area. It will also serve as a platform for exchanging information and best practices and drawing lessons from other institutions, countries and organizations,” he added.

The training centre was opened under the second phase of the OSCE project “Capacity building of Kyrgyz and Afghan Customs Officers” aimed at strengthening good governance and assist Kyrgyz and Afghani governments in combating economic and environmental transnational threats.

Under the first phase of the project in 2009-2011 400 officers from Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan were trained and 22 practical courses were conducted at border crossing checkpoints.