Risk assessment and management are of key importance in Customs work and crucial in proactive decision-making relevant to successful performance of Customs controls. Risk management provides for timely and appropriate measures, actions and operations to prevent mitigate or avoid risk and its consequences. 

A series of working meetings aimed at sharing international experience in administering risk management system was held in December 2016-January 2017 in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, bringing together international experts on risk management and customs officers. Participants reviewed good practice examples from international experience and identified ways to enhance customs clearance procedures and facilitate trade in the region. 

The Workshop provided an opportunity for participants to discuss topics of common interest and issues related to risk management, while exchanging opinions and comments on national experiences and best practices. The Workshop focused on the operational aspects of risk management, emphasizing field operations, risk profiling, aspects relating to the use of pre-arrival information in dealing with economic operators and their activities, and so on. 

National experts stressed the importance of best practices, noting that the subsequent enhanced efficiency of customs procedures at all levels would promote regional economic growth.

The workshop is part of the BOMCA project efforts to assist Central Asian countries in facilitating trade in the region.