Opening of the WCO Regional Training Center in Astana , Kazakhstan
14-15 December 2009
Report
At the invitation of Mr. Kozy-Korpesh Karbuzov, Chairman of the Customs Control Committee of the Ministry of Finance in Kazakhstan, the WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, visited Astana and Almaty on 14 and 15 December 2009 on the occasion of the formal opening of the WCO Regional Training Centre (RTC).
During the opening session, Prime Minister Karim Massimov expressed strong support for Customs modernization in Kazakhstan and for the RTC project, especially in the context of regional integration.
The Secretary General stated that, “ RTC’s are a critical component of regional networks as they enable stronger regional cooperation among WCO Members and enhanced communication and coordination between the WCO Secretariat and the regions. Given the progress that Kazakhstan has made in its Customs modernization efforts, including a reduction in the number of control agencies at check points and the resultant decrease in border clearance times, I am convinced that the RTC in Astana can play a leading role in sharing best practice in the region. It has clearly shown leadership by acceding to the WCO revised Kyoto Convention during this year’s Council Sessions and this has sent a positive message to the business community”.
In a bilateral meeting with the Secretary General, both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, Bolat Zhamishev, expressed interest in the contribution of Customs to economic recovery. In this regard, Mr. Mikuriya stressed the importance of trade facilitation supported by revenue security measures, and further improvement in integrity.
Whilst in Kazakhstan, the Secretary General took the opportunity to visit the Logistic Centre which reduces unnecessary interface between Customs and business and the WCO Regional Dog Training Centre in Almaty.