A roundtable entitled “Draft Customs Code in new edition: consideration of prepared draft law and determination of its further discussion” was held at Hotel Dedeman Silk Road Tashkent on 19 April.

The roundtable aimed at presentation of results of carried out work, assessment of draft bill, consultations and discussion of the bill.

The discussion noted that the working group did a great work on development of customs code, which meets international norms. However, the consultations are under way on some issues, including terms and orders of customs registration, declaration, post-customs control and others.

It was said that strengthening of economic growth of Uzbekistan also connected with development of foreign economic activity. It should be noted that speed up economic growth in 2004-2005 was connected with significant expansion of foreign trade economic of the country. The Uzbek exports increased twice in 2003-200 from US$3.7 billion to US$7.6 billion.

The export expansion was connected with measures on liberalization of trade and currency policy, stimulation of private sector development and favourable trends in world markets.

However, the customs procedures take a lot time and expenses of foreign economic activity’s participants are high. Normative base for customs affairs is difficult and complicated, while its administration is not transparent.

This is connected with that Customs Code is not document of direct action and customs administration is carried out based on many by-laws (over 350), which sometime contradicts to Customs Code. National customs legislation and method of work of customs body are note harmonized with international standards.

In this connection, the Uzbek government put task on development of new edition of Customs Code, which should be document of direct action and meet international standards and agreements. The document should also become tool of formation of favourable conditions for expansion of private sectors’ participation in foreign economic activity of the country.