On 18-19 November, the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia hosts in Yerevan a regional conference on “Digital Solutions for Cross-Border Cooperation and Trade Facilitation.” Tigran Avinyan, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, Davit Ananyan, Chairman of the RA State Revenue Committee, Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Andrea Wiktorin, European Union Ambassador to Armenia, Dmitry Mariyasin, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, as well as representatives of other international agencies, state and private sectors, customs administrations of different countries, Ambassadors attended the opening of the event and welcomed the conference participants.

The conference is organized within the framework of “Support to Migration and Border Management in Armenia” (MIBMA) project, which is financed by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The two-day event will cover the current state of the international trade and host discussions on opportunities to establish prerequisites to promote trade facilitation. Experts and representatives of customs administrations and international organizations of different countries will discuss options for utilization of newest risk management methods to facilitate cross-border trade and ensure economic growth through efficient customs management, as well as mechanisms for electronic information exchange between the customs agencies. The “Single Window” approach will also be considered as a tool to boost cross-border trade. The participants will look into the methods of cooperation with the private sector, along with the options to localize the relevant global trends and innovative technological solutions.

The event was launched with signing of bilateral documents between the RA State Revenue Committee and Georgia’s Ministry of Finance, as well as between the RA State Revenue Committee and the Customs Administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

On 19 November, Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization and top officials will also visit the Northern External Economic Activities Service Center in Gyumri where, as of 18 November, the vehicles customs clearance facility will be partially put into operation.

About WCO

World Customs Organization is an international customs structure that brings together more than 180 member states. The WCO’s goal is to help its member customs administrations simplify and improve their customs procedures, promote foreign trade, combat customs crimes and implement various customs programmes. Armenia joined the WCO in 1992.

About the EU

The Member States of the European Union have decided to link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.

About UNDP

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP in Armenia was established in March 1993 and supports the government in meeting its development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.