Journalists learn about work of Kyrgyz State Customs Service in campaign supported by OSCE Centre
The OSCE Centre in Bishkek and Kyrgyz State Customs Service launched a one-day campaign on 1 April 2015 at the Kyrgyz Customs Training Centre in Leninskoe, near Bishkek, to raise awareness among media on the work of the customs service and the OSCE-supported Training Centre.
Some 26 journalists from various media outlets, TV channels and radio stations took part in practical exercises giving them an opportunity to search for illicit-narcotics simulators hidden in vehicles and an airplane. The exercises were preceded by a short explanatory session similar to the ones the OSCE supports and conducts for Afghan and Kyrgyz customs officers.
“We hope these practical exercises will help journalists better understand the specifics of the work of customs officers and the importance of OSCE-supported training courses,” said Saltanat Alibekova, the head of the project at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “The active public participation in preventing trafficking in illicit drugs and goods is essential.”
The OSCE Centre in Bishkek opened the new building for the Training Centre for Kyrgyz customs officers in November 2013 following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 9 October 2013. As part of the second phase of the project “Capacity-building of Kyrgyz and Afghan Customs Officers” the OSCE Office is engaged in a broader programme on strengthening good governance and combating transnational threats in the economic and environmental areas. Some 210 officers from Kyrgyzstan and 150 officers from Afghanistan will complete the training in 2013-2015 with the aim of enhancing their professional knowledge on customs procedures.
Separately, 136 Kyrgyz and 121 Afghan customs officers were trained between September 2013 and March 2015 on identifying and detecting narcotics, risk analysis, examining cargo containers and trailers, analyzing cargo documents, scanner use and image analysis. These courses were developed and conducted jointly with the OSCE Centre’s experts and trainers from Afghani National Customs Academy (ANCA).
Forthcoming sessions on legal codification and customs intelligence techniques will be conducted by OSCE-trained instructors from Kyrgyzstan’s State Customs Service.