DUSHANBE, May 12, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Separate components and subsystems of the Unified Automated Information System (UAIS) being introduced by the Customs Services of Tajikistan have been demonstrated System (UIAS) were demonstrated in Dushanbe today.

Speaking at the event, Nemat Rahmatov, the first deputy head of the Customs Services, noted that specialists from R.I.S.K. Company, Azerbaijan are installing the system in the country.  According to him, new unified form of customs commodity declaration meeting international standards was introduced in the country at the beginning of this year.

Rahmatov noted that work on installation of the unified information automated system was expected to be finished until the end of this year.

We will recall that Tajik Customs Services and R.I.S.K. singed a contract for US$6.16 million for the development of UAIS under the ongoing Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project financed by the Asian-Development Bank (ADB) in July 2009.  This is the largest contract ever signed by the Customs Service.

The Project is a continuation of ADB support for customs reform and modernization for Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan under the CAREC program.  The Project''s objectives are to (i) improve the efficiency and transparency of customs services, and reinforce the ongoing customs legal reforms and simplification of customs procedures; and (ii) facilitate trade and promote regional customs cooperation through concerted customs reforms and modernization in the West and Central Asian region.

This component consists of three interrelated subcomponents: (i) developing the core UAIS application systems and associated operation-support systems; (ii) developing communications infrastructure to support UAIS operation (i.e., providing and strengthening the communication links between the Customs Services headquarters, regional customs offices, customs border posts, and inland clearance points); and (iii) providing training and a public awareness campaign to ensure sustainability and broad-based support for customs services.