IOM and EU support smoother traffic flows and more effective customs control at Ukraine-Belarus border
Official Project opening. Ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) started the implementation of a regional project titled, “Support to the Creation of an Electronic System of Pre-arrival Information Exchange between the Customs Authorities of Belarus and Ukraine (PRINEX)”. The official opening ceremony took place at “Novaya Guta” Border Crossing point in May 15, 2013. This 2.5-year projects consists of two major components: i) provision of capacity building activities (study visits, trainings and workshops) and ii) development of a reliable and secure pre-arrival information exchange system between the customs bodies of Belarus and Ukraine. The project is implemented in close partnership with the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus (SCCRB) and the Ministry of Revenue and Duties of Ukraine (MRDU) within the framework of the European Union (EU) Eastern Partnership’s Integrated Border Management Flagship Initiative (EaP IBM). The total project budget exceeds €4 million. €3.667.000 is funded by the EU.
As a result of the project’s implementation, the customs pre-arrival information exchange system at the border between Belarus and Ukraine will be installed and activated at the designated border crossing points and SCCRB / MRDU headquarters.
The PRINEX system will, inter alia, i) facilitate customs clearance procedures, ii) reduce the lines of vehicles at the border and related expenses due to traffic delays, iii) improve service delivery and living quality for the local border population, iv) increase the transit attractiveness of the entire region, v) make customs control more effective and cross-border movement more dynamic. Moreover, the system will also create an additional barrier against smuggling and help combat organized crime, as well as contribute to smoother traffic passage through the Belarus-Ukraine border.
Photos featuring:
Zeynal HAJIYEV, Chief of Mission, IOM Mission in Belarus
Sergey BORISIUK, Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus
Maira MORA, Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Belarus
Pavel PASHKO, Deputy Head of Organization of Customs Control and Processing Division of the Department of Customs Affairs, Ministry of Revenue and Duties of Ukraine
Ulrich RAINER, Cooperation Officer, Delegation of the EU to Belarus
Igor GRINKO, Head of “Kravtsovskiy” Customs Station at “Novaya Guta” BCP
Maria ZHYTKOVA, Project Assistant, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)
Pavel KHOLOD, Programmes Coordinator, IOM Mission in Belarus
Video by Channel 1 Belarus National TV
