Azerbaijan is working jointly with Turkey to implement a simplified customs corridor.
This was stated by Shahin Bagirov, Chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC) and Colonel-General of the Customs Service, in an interview with the “Elchi” News Agency and “Ictimai TV”.
According to him, Azerbaijan’s relations with Turkic states in the customs sphere are strengthening, and this process is gaining momentum: “Relations between Turkic states boost the increase in inter-country trade turnover; in particular, the location of these states along the Middle Corridor acts as the main reason for this. The responsibility that falls on us here is to work actively. We have research and relevant efforts underway for the implementation of a simplified customs corridor. We are working jointly with the Republic of Turkey in this area. We are operating in the direction of preliminary data exchange with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Our main goal here is the development of a ‘Single Window’ system and ensuring its application. In this context, I would like to bring one point to your attention.”
Sh. Bagirov added that the SCC demonstrates a very active position within the framework of the World Customs Organization: “We are members of the WCO Policy Commission. We also present our position there on political management issues directly related to customs. I would like to emphasize here that, taking into account our country’s prestige and development, the Customs Cooperation Fund was created based on our state’s recommendations, and thanks to these opportunities, it is intended to conduct data exchange, improve data quality, obtain preliminary information, and finally, implement the ‘Single Window’ system for the formation of the ‘Single Window’ system in countries in the future.
Naturally, it is not possible to say exactly when this process will be fully completed at the moment. Because it requires the resolution of technical, legal, and other procedural issues. We have determined this in the form of a plan and set a target for ourselves. Other members of the Turkic states also show great interest in this issue. We will strive to solve this issue and form a unique system through the ‘Single Window’ system between the Middle Corridor and the Turkic states that can be an example to the world. Azerbaijan is very active in this process; most of the initiatives are put forward by us, and we are confident that we will be able to successfully complete this work.”