OSCE Centre in Bishkek trains customs service on using technological tools for customs control

BISHKEK, 19 December 2016 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek jointly with the Kyrgyz State Customs Service (KSCS) today launched a two-week training course for some 110 KSCS officers on using technological tools for customs control. The course aims to raise their capacity on the effective operation of these tools at checkpoints and customs clearance points.

The training course, held at the KSCS Training Centre in Bishkek and the Service’s regional office in Osh, is being conducted by a lecturer from the Russian Customs Academy.

Practical sessions will focus on how to operate equipment to detect explosive devices and drugs, and cover the use of tools such as various analyzers and dosimeters. Also highlighted in the course will be the means for the customs inspection of goods and hardware systems for studying documents. KSCS officers who successfully pass the exam at the end of the course will be awarded certificates.

“Today, customs control is subject to common requirements adopted by the Eurasian Economic Union. Unified requirements for the activities of customs authorities assume greater responsibility of customs officers, since such control is no longer carried out within the internal borders of the Union,” said Elnura Mambetzhunusheva, Head of the KSCS Training Centre. “The effective use of technological tools for customs control by customs officers will ensure the efficiency of control and accelerate the movement of goods and vehicles across the customs border.”

Nana Baramidze, Senior Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre, added: "The effective use of technological tools for customs control plays an important role in regulating trade turnover between countries."

The training course is part of the OSCE Centre’s project on enhancing the capacities of the Kyrgyz Customs Service to facilitate legal trade and tackle illicit drug trafficking.