In mid-February BOMCA expert team visited Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and conducted workshops for the national partners from IT department of customs services.  In welcoming remarks, the Head of Operations Unit of IT Department of Kyrgyz Customs highlighted the significance of growing cross-border e-commerce and the need for Customs to adequately prepare to address issues stemming therefrom through the exchange of views and information. In the same vein, he noted the importance of the use of modern technologies in the Customs environment and European experience in implementation of several electronic services to improve its business processes. 

European experts provided detailed information and explanations on international developments within the Europe, including opportunities, challenges and potential solutions in the area of cross-border e-commerce and Digital Customs, and presented related tools and instruments, country examples, case studies and the ongoing and future envisaged work. 

National partners too shared their perspective, in particular how they were adapting to the growing e-commerce environment and respective practical experiences/best practices relating to the implementation various ICT solutions. 

Workshops were very well received by participants and raised a lot of interest. Participants acquired an enhanced understanding of issues relating to cross-border commerce and Digital Customs as well as relevant instruments and tools in terms of their effective and harmonized implementation at the national/regional level. 

This BOMCA activity aims at introducing measures improving the efficiency of controls and procedures applicable to goods and means of transport crossing the borders and thus facilitating regional and international trade.