The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a PCA monitoring and follow-up mission to the State Customs Committee (SCC) of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 30 May to 3 June 2022. The WCO has conducted four virtual support missions since April 2021, under the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO)-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), to enhance the PCA function within the SCC. This monitoring and follow-up mission was the last in a series of GTFP support activities to the SCC in the area of PCA implementation.
This mission took place in Tashkent, led by WCO PCA experts with the full assistance of the SCC Secretariat and in close coordination with its PCA Department and other relevant services. In his opening remarks at the start of the mission, the Deputy Chairman of the SCC, Mr. Nodir Kamalitdinovich, acknowledged and welcomed the support by the WCO under the GTPF initiatives. He highlighted the huge benefits that would be enjoyed by ensuring an efficient and competitive business environment in Uzbekistan through enhancement of the PCA function, in keeping with the country’s strategic objectives of trade facilitation and modernization.
By means of active engagement and a comprehensive assessment, the experts noted that the SCC had made considerable progress over the course of the year since implementation of PCA in Uzbekistan. They were particularly impressed by the SCC's efforts to make full use of all existing communication channels with the private sector to increase awareness and ensure smooth implementation of the PCA system.
The mission also provided an opportunity for capacity building in the PCA domain. Some 25 officers, including ones from regional Customs services, took part in and benefitted from capacity building. The training syllabus covered the topic of collecting the requisite information in collaboration with traders. It underscored the importance of understanding traders’ concerns and needs in order to secure the cooperation and assistance required to perform an effective audit.
The experts delivered a summary report to SCC senior management on the Committee’s achievements and on the next steps towards further development. They also expressed their appreciation for the support received from the SCC as a whole.