WCO TO HELP CENTRAL ASIAN NATIONS WITH CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION

WCO TO HELP CENTRAL ASIAN NATIONS WITH CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION    The World Customs Organization has agreed to assist a group of Central Asian nations in efforts to modernize their customs operations.
   WCO signed a memorandum of understanding with the representatives of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), an intergovernmental regional organization created in 1985 to promote economic development in Central Asia. Its members include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
   Michel Danet, secretary general of the Brussels-based WCO, said the MOU “will enable us to go faster and further in terms of implementing modern international standards for customs procedures at the regional level.”
   The WCO and ECO agreed to establish a consultation and cooperation plan for the mutual exchange of information. The plan will cover:
   * Customs “capacity building.”
   * Combating drug trafficking.
   * Harmonization of customs procedures.
   * Customs valuation.
   The organizations will further develop the assistance plan during the ECO’s upcoming customs directors general meeting in Pakistan.