A regional workshop on advancing cross-border procedures through one-stop customs inspection was held in Bishkek between 10-12 October, gathering customs, border agencies and phytosanitary agencies from Central Asian countries, with the main goal being to increase their awareness of the potential of one-stop shops to create new possibilities for economic growth and people mobility across borders.

BOMCA experts presented the European experience of introducing one-stop border posts that help to avoid duplication of clearance procedures at borders for people and goods whilst maximising the efficiency of control by avoiding unnecessary duplication of clearance procedures, increasing cooperation, sharing information and trade data, and enabling better resource utilisation.

Participants were unanimously in their agreement that development of one-stop shops will bring measurable benefits to governments, economic operators and communities. However, in order to make the one-stop concept fully operational, there is a need to create a corresponding legal basis and the related legal procedures.