OSCE organizes seminar to promote modernization of customs procedures in Turkmenistan

The modernization of customs procedures in accordance with international standards and state commitments was discussed during an online event on 26 and 27 May 2022. The seminar was designed to present best practices from the OSCE participating States in bringing customs mechanisms and related regulations in line with relevant international standards, including the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat and facilitated by international experts from Georgia and Italy. Representatives from the State Customs Service, the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan attended the event.

Opening the event, Rune Castberg, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat said: "As we are all aware, joining the WTO requires comprehensive alignment of legislative and regulatory framework in several areas. This harmonization has the ultimate goal to increase predictability, competitiveness and transparency of the international trade, reduce trade barriers and create transparent, predictable and attractive investment regime".

"The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat is committed to supporting this process by assisting Turkmenistan in improving good economic governance standards, which set a clear, transparent and predictable framework of economic policies, institutions and legislation in which business can thrive and the confidence of investors can grow," he added.

Experts held discussions on relevant national priorities and emphasized the significance of the WTO Tariff Policy and its Agreements on Customs Valuation and Rules of Origin. They also addressed the elimination of non-tariff barriers and implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.