OSCE promotes implementation of Trusted Trader Programmes by customs and private sector

DUSHANBE, 28 November 2014 – A five-day Regional Workshop on Strengthening Co-operation between Customs and the Private Sector through Implementation of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes concluded at the OSCE Border Management Staff College today. The event was co-organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The workshop gathered mid- and senior-ranking customs officials and private sector representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Ukraine.  Participants learnt how to introduce and implement their own trusted trader or AEO programmes and also how to mutually recognize each other's programmes on a regional basis. The experts from the WCO and the Swiss Customs Service, along with national representatives, presented their practical experiences of operational AEO programmes.

"The Authorized Economic Operator concept is a matter of trust and therefore it is a powerful confidence-building tool. On one hand, it makes cross border trade easier and contributes to a safer and more effective world business environment, on the other hand, it ensures a better border security environment,” said Markus Mueller, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Andrei Muntean, Senior Economic Officer at the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna said: “A well implemented trusted trader programme leads to faster customs declarations and border crossing procedures as data only need to be submitted periodically instead of on a per transaction basis. In addition to creating an improved trade climate it also provides the security guarantees needed by governments to enhance their revenue collection and at the same time strengthen their border and supply-chain security and help detect and prevent contraband smuggling.”

This event is one of a series of regional capacity-building events co-organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the OSCE Border Management Staff College over the past several years.