UNDP and EC help modernize Azerbaijan's customs service
State Customs Committee receives computer equipment and support in revising the customs code

Baku, 7 June 2006 - the State Customs Committee (SCC) of the Azerbaijan Republic received computer equipment valued at USD 230,000 as part of a joint project of the European Commission (EC) and UNDP aimed at modernizing the country's customs services.

Funded by EC and implemented by UNDP, the one-year 900,000 EUR project was launched in January 2006 with the aim of upgrading of Azerbaijan's customs legislation in conformity with modern international standards, in particular the EU Customs Code, and support in improvement and implementation of the SCC strategy on the development of information technologies (IT).

"The customs modernization project will help us come closer to international standards through revised customs legislation, increased application of information technologies and exposure to international experience. It will also contribute to increased transparency in the customs service by reducing contact between customs officials and entrepreneurs", announced the SCC Chairman Lieutenant-General of the customs service Mr. Aydin Aliyev in his opening remarks today at a ceremony of handover to the Committee of the IT equipment which included servers, personal computers, UPS and other accessories.

UNDP was the first international partner of SCC to help the Committee strengthen its potential. "We have been working with UNDP since 1999 within a joint project which pioneered the application of information technologies in the country", noted the SCC chairman. Highly appreciating UNDP assistance given during the last seven years Mr. Aliyev announced that the project, among other things, allowed to connect 38 customs points countrywide in an on-line regime and create a data bank on smuggling information. Given UNDP's experience of working closely with SCC, EC invited UNDP to cooperate for further modernization of the customs services in Azerbaijan last year.

As Azerbaijan is developing its non-oil sector and encourage more foreign investment, the development of the customs service could be an important tool to strengthen investor confidence in and boost foreign trade with the country. "EU represents 33% of Azerbaijan's trade turnover and is a major trading partner of Azerbaijan", noted EU's Special Envoy to Azerbaijan Mr. Alan Waddams. Therefore, he said, it is important that Azerbaijan have improved customs legislation and that the SCC have increased automation and IT-skilled staff. He expressed the hope that the project will not only serve the Azerbaijani people but also the deepening of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

"We at the UN are convinced that the project will be successful and all its elements will be implemented duly", said UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Marco Borsotti at the ceremony. He linked his confidence to the results of a recent outcome evaluation for ICT projects in Azerbaijan undertaken by UNDP. According to him, the evaluation results were a clear recognition of how modernization impacts SCC work. "Encouraged by these results, we are ready to further assist the Committee to modify and improve its work up to international standards", concluded Mr. Borsotti.

Mr. Borsotti and Mr. Aliyev signed the equipment handover document.The event attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps and media was followed by a press briefing.

For more information:
Mr. Mezahir Efendiyev
Project Coordinator
Chief, Law-Enforcement Unit, UNDP Office
Tel: 493 15 13