STATE REVENUE COMMITTEE OF THE

MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

PRESS RELEASE

Results of regional forum of the WCO on Free Economic zones was summed up

Today, on 17 May 2019, was completed the work of regional forum of World Customs Organization on Free Economic Zones.

The closing ceremony was moderated by Yermek Kozhabergenov, head of the International Cooperation Office of the SRC MF RK.

Director of the WCO Compliance and Facilitation Department Anna B. Khinohosa made a closing speech, in which thanked the speakers of the forum for interesting presentations, representatives of invited customs administrations for their active participation in group discussions and organizers of the event for their warm welcome. She highly appreciated the work of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the promotion and development of international trade, by facilitating trade procedures and improving the efficiency of customs control.

Summing up, the Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan Marat Sultangaziyev noted that within the forum key issues as economic advantages of FEZs, the improvement of customs control procedures, the national experience of the countries participating in the World Customs Organization to administer the activities of FEZs.

Marat Sultangaziyev said that the results of the Forum will give a new impetus to the successful development of FEZs, the result of which will be achievement of the goals set for the infrastructure and economic development of the industries and regions located in these zones.

At the end of this forum, participants in the discussions at the sessions voiced proposals about the absence of the need to change the definitions of free customs zones in the revised Kyoto Convention, as well as the need for customs control within the risk management system to create more favorable conditions for business development.

We recall that in the period from 15 to 17 May 2019, a regional forum of the World Customs Organization on Free Economic Zones (FEZs) was held in the city of Nursultan.

The Forum was attended by representatives of more than 30 customs services of the member countries of the World Customs Organization, USAID, the European Commission, EEC, representatives of government agencies, as well as representatives of FEZs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The theme of the Forum meets the needs and priorities of ongoing work on trade facilitation and customs control in FEZs operating in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

On the first day of the forum, issues of economic advantages and challenges of FEZs, the management of FEZs, customs control and the procedures of FEZs were discussed.         

The second and third day was devoted to breakout sessions and group discussions on procedures and control of future FEZs, during which participants shared experiences and results of group sessions.

The thematic sessions were a productive dialogue platform for sharing existing national experience in administering the activities of FEZs, experience of interaction between the customs service, the operators of FEZs and companies operating in such territories, as well as developing new tools for trade facilitation and control, minimizing the risks of violation legislation and economic losses.

  Press-office

State Revenue Committee

Ministry of Finance of the RK

(Zhenis avenue, 11)