USAID will launch a number of new projects to strengthen the Moldovan Customs Service’s capacity and help implement electronic queue entry at the border.
The announcement was made during a meeting between the Customs Service leadership and the USAID Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity (MISRA) program team led by USAID MISRA Director David Anderson. The Customs Service leadership expressed gratitude to the USAID MISRA leadership for providing operational and technical assistance in achieving the Customs Service’s priorities aimed at simplifying customs procedures, facilitating trade, and digitizing processes in line with international standards. For his part, David Anderson praised the progress in implementing USAID MISRA-assisted projects in institutional capacity building, and reiterated support for the implementation of mechanisms to optimize the flow of transport and facilities for economic agents. The sides also discussed ongoing projects, priorities and assistance needs in the area of anti-fraud and trade facilitation to strengthen institutional capacity to apply the provisions of the new Customs Code from January 1, 2024. In this context, the main priorities of the Customa Service were the introduction of new information systems, automation of processes, application of digital tools in analytical and investigative activities, modernization and expansion of customs infrastructure for diversification of transport routes and streamlining of customs procedures, as well as modernization and expansion of customs infrastructure to diversify transport routes and facilities. USAID MISRA representatives expressed readiness to provide financial and technical assistance to strengthen institutional capacities, in particular for the acquisition of non-intrusive tools for customs control, especially on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border; development of the concept of the Risk Analysis and Information Center; digitalization of the process of modification of customs declarations, modernization of the system of guarantees and customs payments (Accounting Module), etc. Among the projects to be launched with USAID MISRA support is the "Border Queueing System" (BQS), implementation of an information system and equipping the Customs Control Zone with the necessary equipment that will allow economic agents to reserve time for crossing the Moldovan state border in order to streamline traffic flow at the border. Another project supported by USAID MISRA is the implementation of the Customs Clearance Time Tracking System (TRS) in accordance with World Customs Organization standards, which aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of border procedures. // 11.08.2023 - InfoMarket.
