On July 5, 2021, on the third day of official visit to Ukraine a delegation of the World Customs Organization (WCO) led by Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya met with the Head of the State Customs Service of Ukraine Mr. Pavel Ryabikin. At the meeting, the parties signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the State Customs Service of Ukraine, the Swiss Federal Council and the WCO with regard to SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP).

Deputy head Mr. Vladyslav Suvorov and Mr. Ruslan Cherkassky and heads of structural subdivisions also took part in the meeting on behalf of the State Customs Service. The meeting was attended by Mr. Dashgin Aliyev, WCO Regional Development Manager for Europe region.

“This is my fourth visit to Ukraine. I am impressed by the progress made by the State Customs Service. I am very pleased with our cooperation and we still have many areas to improve our joint work”, the WCO Secretary General shared his impressions of the visit.

During the meeting, the Head of the State Customs Service noted that the reform and development of customs authorities is being carried out taking into account international obligations under WCO, the World Trade Organization, the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. Mr. Pavlo Ryabikin also stressed that WCO is a strategic partner of the State Customs Service.

The Head of the State Customs Service informed his colleagues from WCO about the state of capacity building of the State Customs Service. In particular, Mr. Pavlo Ryabikin announced the launch of the State Customs Service as a single legal entity, personnel reform, launch and development of IT services, start of national application of the fourth phase of the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS), start of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program, the launch of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) harmonization of Ukrainian customs legislation with European and modernization and reconstruction of customs infrastructure. The Head of the State Customs Service noted that the Ukrainian welcomes the involvement of WCO experts in the process of reforming the State Customs Service.

Dr. Kunio Mikuriya noted: “The direction of reforming the State Customs Service of Ukraine, chosen by the managers of the Service, corresponds to the examples of successful reforms.”

The activity of the Department for Specialized Training and Canine Services was presented to the WCO Secretary General at the meeting. The main achievements of the Department, training programs and the activity of the Department during the coronavirus pandemic were demonstrated. During the presentation, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya used 3D glasses, which are used as a simulator for customs control and clearance training.

At the end of the meeting, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Customs Service of Ukraine, the Swiss Federal Council and the WCO with regard to SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP). The main goal of this program is to promote international trade in the beneficiary countries, the introduction of international standards and best practices of the World Trade Organization and WCO on imports, exports and transit of goods.

“The State Customs Service expresses its gratitude to WСO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya for the opportunity to visit our country and for its continued support in the development of Ukraine’s customs affairs and for WCO’s efforts to facilitate international trade procedures. The State Customs Service is interested in developing further cooperation in the framework of new initiatives and programs of international cooperation of WCO”, the Head of the State Customs Service thanked Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya for the meeting.

We remind you that a delegation of the World Customs Organization (WCO), headed by Secretary-General Kunio Mikuria, conducts an official visit to Ukraine at the invitation of the Chairman of the Gostamaj Service.