Turkey s Regional TF Initiatives: Joint Border Use Silk Road Customs Kerim TOKGÖZ Turkish Customs Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum 2011: "Trade Facilitation beyond Borders: International Supply Chain Efficiency 4-5 Sep 2011 Seoul, Korea
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3 Joint Use - International Legal Outlook RKC Guidelines, Transitional Standards 3.4 and 3.5. 1982 UN International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods Article 7. Prerequisites before action Political will Administrative strategy Motivation of staff Work done Analysis of current workflows Description of needs and priorities Approach and consultation and bilateral agreements
4 Joint Use - Legal Basis Bilateral agreement on the Joint use of Border Gates 3 protocol envisaged: Passport Procedure Data exchange for goods and passengers Harmonization and modes of cooperation Scope and Purpose: Rendering joint services at land border gates with a view to ensure the facilitation of international traffic of passengers, goods and vehicles.
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6 18.10.2011 Joint Border Use Partners Nakhchivan(AZE) Georgia Iran Syria
7 Current Entry Procedure NORMAL 1) Customs enforcements record 2) Passport 3) Weighbridge 4) Registration, Transportation 5) Pay desk 6) Inspection, Sealing 7) X-Ray 8) Customs enforcements record EXCEPTIONAL 1)Quarantine Control 2)Disinfection 3)Radioactivity Control 4)Agricultural Control
8 Procedures in Joint Use EXIT 1) Customs enforcements record 2) Passport 3) Weighbridge 4) Registration, Transportation ENTRY 1) Inspection 2) X-Ray 3) Customs Enforcement EXCEPTIONAL 1) Quarantine Control 2) Disinfection 3) Radioactivity Control 4 ) Agricultural Control
9 Layout of Joint-use Gate Declared data Declared data The border gates of the two countries is used as if one border gate. Data entry are done only once in both sides. Declaration is done at the exit country, verification is done at the entry country of entry. For the sake of a functioning system, it is obligatory to share the information and process results.
10 18.10.2011 Modernization of facilities Financed by private sector
11 Silk Road Customs Initiative Introduced by the Turkish Customs in October 2008 at an International Forum in Antalya. Strategic Objective: to revitalize the Historical Silk Road for creating a real alternative for trade 17 Silk Road Countries involved so far. International Fora 2008, Antalya 2009, Baku 2010, Tehran Oct. 2011, Batumi Strategy Paper for Silk Road Countries Customs Administrations to Facilitate and Simplify Border Crossings adopted. Agreed to simlify customs procedures for reducing waiting times by mofernizing BCPs and converging customs practices in the Region.
12 Silk Road Customs Initiative CARAVANSERAI PROJECT (TO BE AGREED) To create A Fast-track in East-West axle. Modern BCPs: simplified border procedures for predictable and secured trade and transport Way forward A kick-off expected from the Partners to fix the components, pilot route and timeframe Analysis of current situation at BCPs Consultation with business Selection of pilot BCPs Modernization plans for each pilot BCP Funding
Requirements inferred so far Strong political will A strategic approach No rush! Creativity in finding solutions and funds Benefiting from expertise on BCP renovation projects Consultations with the private sector for need analysis Convinced staff to what is to be done A good and direct dialog between the national teams
MAJOR CHALLENGES Less political stability in some Partners Need for permanent national teams Difference between the willpowers of the Partners Different level of national priorities ın similar projects Different priorities of other border agencies at home Different data sets and alphabets used by the Partners Overcoming regional cultural requirements
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