OSCE Centre in Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan sign agreement on enhancing capacity of customs training centre

BISHKEK, 15 June 2009 - The Kyrgyz State Customs Committee (SCC) signed an agreement with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek today, launching a project to enhance the capacity of its training centre.

"The OSCE assistance to the SCC Training Centre will contribute to its transformation into a modern training institution. Proper training of customs officers is essential for stimulating the legal movement of goods and countering smuggling," said Lilian Darii, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding took place during a ceremony attended by representatives from the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry and the Embassy of Japan in Bishkek. Japan is a major donor to the project. Norway and Luxembourg have also contributed.

The project was developed at the request of the Kyrgyz Government. A detailed border needs assessment was conducted by the OSCE in September 2006.

The project envisages supporting the development of the SCC Training Centre in several ways. These include assessing needs for the curriculum for basic entry-level training, retraining, and advanced training of customs officers; assessing needs for equipment and infrastructure refurbishment; developing a national basic customs training curriculum and modules appropriate for retraining and advanced training of officers; conducting a "train the trainers" course for local customs instructors; equipping and refurbishing the centre; and providing assistance, advice and mentoring to local instructors.