DUSHANBE, October 1, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Deputies of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament have approved Tajikistan’s joining the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs procedures (Kyoto Convention).

A regular sitting of the second session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the sixth convocation took place on October 1.

Speaking at the session, the Customs Service had Abdufattoh Ghoib noted that entry of Tajikistan into the Kyoto Convention would give a new impulse to development of the country’s foreign trade.

He further added that Tajikistan joined the Convention with reserve.  “We will not join the Convention’s part which regulates issues related to organization of customs control in seaports because our country does not have direct access to the sea,” Ghoib noted.

The International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs procedures (Kyoto Convention) entered into force in 1974 and was revised and updated to ensure that it meets the current demands of governments and international trade.

The WCO Council adopted the revised Kyoto Convention in June 1999 as the blueprint for modern and efficient Customs procedures in the 21st century.

The revised Kyoto Convention promotes trade facilitation and effective controls through its legal provisions that detail the application of simple yet efficient procedures. The revised Convention also contains new and obligatory rules for its application which all Contracting Parties must accept without reservation.

The revised Kyoto Convention entered into force on February 3, 2006.