AKIPRESS.COM - A three-day workshop for participants from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on simplifying and harmonizing procedures for international trade concluded at the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe on July 23.
Twenty-four representatives of trade and transport ministries, customs agencies, businesses and technical assistance and inspection bodies from the three countries participated in the seminar. The workshop was co-organized with the Office of the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the UN Economic Commission for Europe.
The workshop aimed at supporting governments to reduce delays at border crossings, and to streamline, simplify and automate customs clearance, transit, import and export procedures thereby, reducing trade costs, and boosting commercial flows in the benefit of regional and international trade development.
Participants were provided with guidance regarding the implementation of the recent World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, and on developing a strategic approach to trade facilitation for trade and economic development.
Specific sessions touched on important aspects of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, international and national standards as well as key trade facilitation tools, approaches and methodologies.