Ashgabat: Turkmenistan’s State Customs Service, with the support of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) under the Regional Project “Trade Facilitation in Central Asia” (TFCA), participated in two significant events aimed at enhancing regional transport, transit, and customs performance.
According to Trend News Agency, the first event, organized as a regional Working Group meeting on Transport and Transit, focused on reviewing the Concept for the Development of the Transport and Transit Potential of Central Asia. Discussions centered on revisions and coordination of the concept, improving cooperation between national trade facilitation committees, and implementing the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, specifically Article 7.8 concerning “Expedited Deliveries.”
The second event addressed the application of key performance indicators (KPI) in the operations of customs authorities. International experts presented the World Customs Organization’s 2024 methodology for assessing customs performance. Central Asian representatives engaged in discussions on its practical application and received guidance on aligning operations with modern international standards.
The State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, a government body established in 1991, is responsible for overseeing the country’s customs system. Its primary tasks include enforcing state policy on customs activities, ensuring compliance with international obligations, and combating illegal cross-border trade. Given Turkmenistan’s strategic location as a transport hub in Central Asia, the service plays a pivotal role in facilitating legitimate trade and transit. It is actively involved in modernizing its operations through digitalization and international cooperation with organizations like the World Customs Organization (WCO).