IMPLEMENTATION OF REFORMS TOWARD THE ACHIEVMENT OF WORLDWIDE STANDARDS IN THE CUSTOMS

ADMINISTRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

DONOR COORDINATION MEETING RELATED TO CUSTOMS

Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, May 29th, 2007

Sanja MetodievskaHead of Department

Directions :Directions :

• National Plan for Adoption of the EU Acquis• Macedonian Customs Administration Strategic Plan

2004/2008 • EC Customs Blueprints

Determination :Determination :

• Implementation of Harmonized Customs Legislation

• Improvement of IT capacities

• Client-oriented approach

• Fight against corruption

• Cooperation with the business community

Ongoing Projects: Support to the Modernisation of the Customs Service - EU–CAFAO- MAC

Currently, the work programme includes the areas of:

1. Customs Procedures (harmonization of the legislation), 2. Intelligence 3. Training Policy /Mentorship/ Human Resources Management

and Planning 4. Human Resources and Ethics5. Organizational changes in CA6. IT interconnection and interoperability7. Programme for English language skills improvement8. Professional standards/Internal control

End date: 31st December 2007

Ongoing Projects: Support the Modernisation of the Customs

Service EU–CAFAO- MAC (reallocation of CARDS Funds Equipment)

• Laboratory Equipment and Training

• Information Technology equipment for Border Crossing Points- Video Monitoring Equipment

• Supply of Drugs Sniffing Dogs and Training, Dog Transport Vehicles

• Training Department Assistance-modules for distance learning and interpretation equipment

• Control and Investigation Equipment

Ongoing Projects: Bilateral twinning between the Netherlands Tax and Customs Administration and the Macedonian Customs Administration

The Project envisages technical assistance (training and consultations) in the areas of:

• Protection of intellectual property rights• inward processing • Value and origin of goods

Ongoing Projects: e-Gov Project - USAID

• Develop strategy, standards, and capacity to improve efficiency and transparency of government operations and to reduce opportunities for fraud and abuse through the use of ICT solutions.

• Supporting the Single-window through the following activities:– Procurement of software application for: issuing import-export

licenses, Customs applications and quota system;– Provision of all the necessary financial and technical support for

the creation, development and implementation of the specified software application and delivery of training;

Ongoing Projects: Business Environment Activity Project- USAID

Support to modernize and provide more efficient operations, especially the electronic processing of applications submitted online by the companies-developing of single window concept: Collecting and classifying trade data requirements and procedures. Harmonization of export/import documents and data between agencies and streamline the trade procedures. Foreign expert will provide advice with regard to:

• the further simplification and streamlining of procedures, • possible approach for continuation of the Single Window

Ongoing Projects: Export Control and Related Border Security

Programme (EXBS) (US Government)

The main goal is to assist and support the Macedonian Law Enforcement Agencies:

• in detecting and deterring illicit movement of weapons and weapons of mass destruction through donation of equipment and specialized training,

• promoting and supporting joint efforts and cooperation of the

Border Police and the Customs Administration

Ongoing Projects: Technical Assistance on Corridor VIII (Italian Customs Agency)

Aim: to identify adequate solutions to streamline customs procedures and improve the safety of goods along the road section of Corridor VIII

Analysis and recommendation on:– the legislative – administrative and organizational context – coordination with other possible initiatives and

programmes of assistance currently in progress – creation of a communication network with the

Macedonian Customs Administration

Ongoing Projects: Technical Assistance (Embassy of France and Customs Administration of France)

Training (according to needs and availability) in the area of:

Human Resources

Investigation and Intelligence (best practices) and

Counterfeited Trade Marks

Improvement of French language proficiency

Planed Projects: Customs Reform Project (EU IPA Funds)

Objective: 1. Further alignment of customs legislation in the area of

security amendments to the EC Customs Code in the area of Authorized Economic OperatorPrepare to implement the EU Modernized Customs Code (in force from 2010)

2. Further strengthening of Border Controls (efficient and simplified customs clearance, fight against illicit drugs trafficking)

3. Improvement of the Customs IT System: provision of new Declaration Processing Software System, fulfilling EU interoperability requirements, improving exchange of data

Planned Projects: Enhancing the efficiency and promoting Institutional Capacity (Crown Agents)

Objectives: • Introduction/application of control, systems and

procedures based on risk• Development of the investigative and intelligence

capacities for strategic, tactical and specific intelligence• Provision of long-term operational and technical support

to control and investigation units to detect illegal trade, smuggling and economic crime

• Development and promotion of effective inter-agency cooperation in the country and abroad.

• Development and effective implementation of anti-corruption strategy

Planned Projects: Cross-Border Trade Facilitation Technical Assistance and Pilot Project (US Government, US Trade and

Development Agency)

Aim - to demonstrate: • How customs and other border agencies can receive

electronic data from SME,• How data can be moved among themselves and later

across the border • Benefits of establishing a Single Window ICT system to

fulfill all transit documentation requirements• How the ICT solutions can improve the competitiveness

of SMEs in the Region

And possibly to become the core of a regional single-window ICT solution or similar type of national program for the countries of Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria

Planned Projects: Single Window

• Harmonization of data, documents and procedures of all relevant institutions

• Selection of most appropriate Single Window model at National level

• Implementation of the model in order to facilitate trade by lodging standardized information and documents at a single point, making available standardized information to customs and other agencies by electronic means

Planned Projects: Trade and Transport Facilitation in Southeast Europe - II ( World Bank)

Objective: to facilitate the movement of trade between the neighboring countries in South-East Europe, along the Trans-European Transport Corridor X, through removing infrastructural bottlenecks and improving the efficiency and quality of road and rail services along the territory of the Borrower.

• Improvement of Passenger Border-Crossing at Blace • Installation of Railways Communication System and its

interconnection with the Customs IT

Priorities: Short Term

• Further harmonization of the legislation• Strengthening of the customs infrastructure • Reaching full organizational and operational efficiency • Amending the Customs Code • Automated Risk profiling• Further introduction of simplified procedures• Prepare to implement the NCTS system• More training provided to the Business • New ICT System

Priorities: Medium Term

• Second review of the customs legislation and its harmonization prior to joining the EU

• Adopting Special rules concerning: Origin of goods, transport of goods between member states, exchange of information, Common Agricultural Policy

• Establishment of customs laboratory• Revision of bilateral agreements on mutual customs

cooperation • Full interconnection with the EU IT systems

Questions?

Thank you very much