Conference to Plot Transport & Logistics Development for Central Asian States

PMCG presented in the C5+1 Expert-Level Meeting on Regional Customs Cooperation on August 23, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The meeting was held as part of USAID’s Competitiveness Trade and Jobs (CTJ) program, led by DAI International. PMCG presented the experience of Georgia in data exchange, joint examination and the trusted trader program to customs officials from the five Central Asian countries.

The conference brought together senior officials, business sector representatives, trade authorities, as well as their counterparts in foreign end markets to identify and overcome transport and logistics barriers and to increase the competitiveness of the economies of Central Asian states by improving their transport and logistics sectors.

During the event, progress made so far and the next steps in regional cooperation in transit, data exchange, and joint customs controls were discussed. In addition, the tools to be applied to support facilitation of the customs procedure and cooperation between customs authorities at the regional level were also covered.

By facilitating such discussions and other related activities, the project is helping to improve border crossing processes, to reduce legal and regulatory constraints, to support firms in adopting new practices, to develop skills, and to expand business relationships. All of these impacts strengthen Central Asian states’ transport and logistics services which will contribute to their overall economic development.

C5+1 is a platform that brings together the five states of Central Asia and the United States to discuss and work on issues of common concern.