Friday, 23 October 2009
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Kunio Mikuria.
Greeting the guest, Tigran Sargsyan stressed the importance of this meeting which was a good opportunity for exchanging views and visions as to the continuity of customs reform in Armenia.
The Secretary General of the WCO expressed appreciation of the Armenian authorities’ political support for the ongoing tax and customs reforms. Acknowledging that there are close ties of cooperation between the Government and his organization, Mr. Mikuria prioritized the need for shaping new approaches and a new thinking among Armenian customs officers through concerted action between them and private sector representatives.
The interlocutors spoke about the possibility of providing technical assistance under the ongoing programs, organizing stakeholder-targeted seminars on risk evaluation problems. They stressed the need for Armenia’s more active involvement in the proceedings of the organization. Then the parties discussed organizational and curriculum-related issues concerning the planned establishment of a training center in Armenia.
Both sides expressed common understanding as to the need of having simpler customs formalities and the “one-stop-shop” principle applicable in Armenia as they are supposed to considerably improve the business environment and reduce corruption risks in the country.
