OSCE Centre and Kyrgyz State Custom Service agree to establish training centre for Kyrgyz and Afghani custom officers

The OSCE Centre and the State Customs Service (SCS) of the Kyrgyz Republic signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Bishkek, on 9 September 2013, on establishing a training centre for Kyrgyzstan’s and Afghanistan’s customs officers.

Some 210 officers from Kyrgyzstan and 150 officers from Afghanistan will complete the training throughout 2013-2014 as part of the second phase of the OSCE-supported project aimed at enhancing officers` professional knowledge on customs procedures. The project staff, supported by guest academic and international experts will give lectures to a number of SCS trainers on improving training preparation, delivery, and evaluation skills in late September.

The Customs Training Centre, built with OSCE support in Leninskoe village, near Bishkek, will be opened by the end of the year.  Participants will be able to use enforcement and inspection tools, a research library, dormitories and a canteen.

The OSCE is strongly committed to modernizing Kyrgyzstan’s and Afghanistan’s customs services. Their work plays an important role in border security protection, duty collection, inspection and control. I hope that the second phase of the project will further assist customs in addressing regional security challenges,” said the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos.

The second phase of the project “Capacity building of Kyrgyz and Afghan Customs Officers” is part of the broader programme on strengthening good governance and combating transnational threats in the economic and environmental area.