OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports training of customs officials in southern Kyrgyzstan

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan, 16 December 2010 - A training course for 65 customs officers from two cities in southern Kyrgyzstan, organized by the State Customs Service's Training Centre with the support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, was held in Jalal-Abad today.

Participants in the one-day course, covers topics such as custom regimes and how to combat customs rules violations as well as how to use technology to detect smuggling of drugs and prohibited goods, including those transported by trucks. The course is taught by three instructors from the Training Centre of the State Customs Service.

A similar training course was held earlier this week for customs officers in Batken, southern Kyrgyzstan.

"The struggle against smuggling is crucial for functioning of the rule of law and ensuring that the state collects essential revenue that can be used for development. The OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports Kyrgyzstan's efforts to fight illegal smuggling by organizing training courses for customs officers where they can learn about best international practices and pass on the knowledge to their colleagues," said Edwige Presle-Weiss, Manager of the OSCE Centre's Customs Training Development Project.

Meerim Abdukadyrova, the head of the State Customs Service's Training Centre, added: "It is important to increase the level of knowledge and skills of the customs officers, especially in the fight against smuggling, customs rules violations and drug trafficking."

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek will continue to support trainings courses for Kyrgyzstan's customs officers on regular basis.