Two new Port Control Units (PCU) were opened at the Regional Customs Department for Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Khorog and the Regional Customs Department for Sughd region in Khujand under UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Container Control Programme (CCP). Representatives from the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as CCP donors from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Programme and UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia participated in the Opening Ceremonies on 16 and 19 April 2019.
The new PCUs at the Regional Customs Departments in Khorog and Khujand are staffed, trained and equipped and connected to WCO ContainerComm secure communication tool to undertake the systematic profiling and inspection of high-risk containers with minimum disruption to legitimate trade. The signing of handover documents for the delivery of office and specialized equipment, as well as PCU refurbishment works took place during the events.
During opening ceremony in Khujand, Mr. Bahrom Ismatullozoda, Head of the Regional Customs Department for Sughd region, expressed his appreciation for including the Sugd region into the CCP, as more than 50 % of international cargo flow in Tajikistan attributes to this region.
Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, stressed that Tajikistan is among the priority country for UNODC and plays a key role in the fight against illicit trafficking including illicit drugs, dual use items, strategic goods and weapons.
During opening event in Khorog, Mr. Saidmurod Nabotzoda, Deputy Head of the Regional Customs Department for Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, stated that provided CCP assistance will further strengthen Customs control measures in the region. Mr. Batyr Geldiyev, Regional Programme Coordinator stressed that PCU officers of Khujand and Khorog participated in CCP theoretical and practical training and wished them productive work and making seizures of illicit goods.
The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia is funded by the Government of Japan and the U.S. Department of State Bureau INL, and EXBS Programme.
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