«Regional Training Center of the World customs organization, Nur-Sultan»

The main event of 2009, which gave the customs service of the Republic of Kazakhstan the new momentum in relations with the World Customs Organization (hereinafter referred WCO), was the official signing ceremony of the Memorandum between the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the WCO about creating a WCO Regional Training Centre in Astana (hereinafter – RTC of the WCO).

According to the memorandum, the Training and Methodological Center of Customs Control Committee of Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan received the international status and became the fifth regional training center of the WCO European Region.

The concept of creating the RTC of the WCO was developed based on the state interests to equip regional customs services with qualified and professionally trained specialists who are able to ensure the implementation and use of progressive measures in the customs administration, and therefore increase the level of efficiency of all customs activities.

The official opening of the WCO RTC in Astana took place on December 14, 2009, which was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K. Masimov, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan B.B. Zhamishev, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya, as well as heads of customs services of Central Asian countries.

On December 14-15, 2009, the first regional seminar «Integrated Border Management» was held, which involved WCO experts, representatives of the customs services of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine. The participants of the seminar discussed the most pressing issues, considered the prospects for improving integrated border control and the world experience in the field of border control.

Over the 10 years of its existence, the RTC of the WCO has hosted more than 40 international seminars, including events with the participation of leading WCO experts on topical issues of customs administration. Seminars are held on the most relevant issues of customs affairs, such as: risk management, study of the time of release of goods, customs procedures, post-customs control, WCO framework standards, etc.

This year, the RTC of the WCO is also planning to hold three international seminars with the assistance of the WCO.