From 20 to 22 February, the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10) held a training of trainers (ToT) session on car and truck searches in Bishkek. This activity targeted representatives of the Border Service of the State Committee on National Security and State Customs Service under the Ministry of Finance of Kyrgyzstan, which is responsible for organising the training process and development of the methodology for inspecting vehicles.

This programmatic activity strengthened skills and competencies for the effective inspection of cars and trucks crossing border posts, in order to identify illegally transported goods, weapons, drugs and other high-risk items. This is the third ToT session of its kind conducted by the BOMCA 10 in Central Asia countries, following similar activities in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The ToT session was conducted by experts from the National Customs Board of the State Revenue Service of Latvia, who paid special attention to the methodology of effective controls and detection of smuggled goods.

Also, participants were acquainted with the latest technical solutions for effective vehicle searches. In addition, the target group was equipped with the practical skills to organise further training courses on the topic and thus transfer knowledge within their agencies.   

The training course was organised in the framework of the Programme’s Component 3, “Facilitation of Trade”, which aims to further support the regional economic integration process.