Over the past two years, during the global COVID-19 crisis, as well as amid the economic crisis due to the war in Ukraine, the Customs Administration has shown the ability to adapt quickly and act proactively amid newly developed circumstances, reaffirming itself as a vital institution of special significance for the economy and society, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told Thursday’s event marking the 30th anniversary since the establishment of the Customs Administration, reports news agency MIA.
Kovachevski pointed out that the Customs Administration and the customs officers, together with the other border agencies, play an extremely important role in facilitating trade and travel, and should be able to ensure this through simplified, standardized and harmonized border procedures, the Government said in a press release.
“The Customs Administration has already accepted guidelines for supporting regional cooperation that are at the top of the Government’s agenda. In order to further facilitate trade, activities have been implemented through the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative contributing to further accelerating the flow of goods and passengers. Joint controls with Serbia at the Tabanovce border crossing are already functioning successfully, and an agreement has been signed to implement the One Stop Shop concept with Albania. And agreement and a protocol on implementation of joint border regulation of railway traffic has also been signed with Kosovo,” Kovachevski said.
“The concept of Smart Borders highlights the role of Customs as one of the main supporters of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. By creating fair conditions for all participants in the customs procedure, through simpler, standardized and harmonized procedures, timely deliveries and opportunities for access to new markets need to be ensured,” the PM said.
He highlighted the e-Customs which define projects for development and implementation of new information-computer systems that connect to the systems of the European Union, such as the Blueprint for new National One Stop Shop system.
“The digitalization process in the Customs Administration is part of the digital transformation of society through which we promote efficiency, as well as increase citizens and the business sector’s trust in the institutions. It is the main tool of good and transparent work,” said Kovachevski.
Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi, Head of the Customs Administration Slavica Kutirov, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya, and Director-General in the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union at the European Commission Thomas Gerassimos, also addressed the event.
