Customs Administration of the Republic of Macedonia, hosts annual meeting of directors of Customs Administration of the European region within the World Customs Organization (WCO), to take place 15th-16th March 2010.
 
Conference, held in Ohrid is attended by the heads of the customs administrations of 52 countries from Europe and Asia, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya, representatives of both the European Commission and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia.
 
In his conference speech, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Zoran Stavreski, pointed out that Macedonia followed WCO recommendations and objectives in terms of coping with the global economic crisis, also including stimulation and facilitation of trade, inter-customs cooperation, cooperation with the business community, strengthened border crossing management and modernization of customs systems.
 
-Activities of the Customs Administration of Macedonia are continuously supported by the Government. Reforms undertaken in the past three years contributed to increase capacity at the border crossings, simplified customs procedures for companies and reduced costs.
 
Significant investments were made in strengthening the technological capacity of the Customs Administration, by purchasing modern equipment, including mobile scanners, package comprising 50 measures was adopted, as part of the Regulatory Guillotine, which contributes to simplifying and accelerating customs procedure. All this provided for improvement of the business climate and mitigation of the consequences from the global economic crisis over the Macedonian economy, Stavreski pointed out.
 
He also stated that reforms in the Customs Administration would continue. Starting next month already, new system for electronic processing of customs declarations will be introduced. He also pointed out one-stop shop system, results achieved in the fight against corruption and organized crime and protection of intellectual property, for which, Macedonia is awarded first prize by the World Customs Organization.
 
Acknowledgment by the World Bank also speaks in favour of the results achieved, as Stavreski pointed out
– Doing Business ranked Macedonia as third best reformer in the world this year, being among the first ten reformers, three years in a row. Thereby, reforms and progress achieved by the Macedonian Customs Administration were especially emphasized. As candidate country for EU membership, the European Commission’s assessment on the successful harmonization with the European customs legislation is also of huge importance for Macedonia. This is an incentive for the Customs Administration, as well as for the customs administrations in the region and beyond to continue the reforms to the end of better efficiency and keeping pace with the global developments, Stavreski said.
 
WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya emphasized that Macedonia was chosen to host the conference since it achieved enormous progress during the modernization of the Customs Administration, adding that the head office of WCO Regional Training Center was also located in Skopje.
 
Ohrid conference agenda will include discussions on the latest topics related to the development of the Customs Administration in the 21st century and WCO’s activities aimed at coping with challenges, Customs Administration in the European Region faced.
 
World Customs Organization, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council is an independent inter-governmental body, the mission of which is strengthening efficiency and effectiveness of customs administrations.
WCO represents 172 customs administrations across the globe, all together covering around 98 percent of the world trade. As global centre of customs expertise, WCO is the only international organization, competent for customs matters.
 
European region comprises 52 customs services, and such conferences, held every year since WCO establishment, are the highest decision-making forum of the regional directors, held prior to the annual World Customs Organization Council.(MIA)