On 10-11 February, the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) organised technical mission a to support the development of Master's level curricula of the Customs Institute of Uzbekistan.

This initiative aims to align the country’s customs education with the professional and accreditation standards of the World Customs Organization (WCO). The event brought together representatives from the Customs Institute, the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan and BOMCA 10 experts from Riga Technical University. Discussions focused on integrating EU customs and taxation standards into the curriculum to further facilitate trade between the EU and Uzbekistan. The new master’s programme incorporates globally recognised frameworks, such as the WCO Professional Standards and the EU TAXUD Customs Competencies Framework, ensuring that students receive up-to-date training in customs regulations and trade compliance. As a result of this initiative, future customs professionals will be equipped with the necessary expertise to address evolving challenges in global trade, border security, and trade facilitation. The programme’s emphasis on international standards will enhance the quality of customs education in Uzbekistan.

This activity is part of Component 3 “Facilitation of Trade” of BOMCA Programme ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing the skills of customs professionals and also supports Uzbekistan's aspirations to join the WCO.