Uzbekistan, Pakistan to Expand Digital Customs Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Pakistan have agreed to expand cooperation between their customs services by enhancing the use of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and modern risk management tools.

The agreements were reached during a meeting between representatives of the two countries on the sidelines of an international conference of the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, organized in Tashkent by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime jointly with the World Customs Organization.

According to the newspaper Dawn, the Pakistani delegation was led by Syed Shakeel Shah, Member for Customs Operations at the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan. During talks with the First Deputy Chairman of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan, the parties discussed the further digitalization of customs administration, improving the monitoring of transit cargo, and applying analytical tools to detect violations.

Participants paid special attention to using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in risk management systems, establishing national targeting centers, and developing real-time customs information exchange to enhance the security of regional trade.

The Pakistani side noted that Uzbekistan became the first country with which Pakistan organized an advance exchange of information on import and export operations through the Pakistan Single Window platform. According to meeting participants, this mechanism marked an important milestone in the development of digital interaction between the customs services of the two states.

The parties also agreed to extend electronic data exchange to transit cargo transport. This is expected to accelerate customs clearance, improve the efficiency of border controls, and ensure safer and more seamless movement of goods.

Furthermore, representatives of both countries confirmed their intention to develop cooperation in the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator programs, the recognition of regulatory documents, the broader application of artificial intelligence and data analysis in customs control, and the strengthening of interaction between state agencies and business.

Following the talks, an agreement was reached to establish technical working groups to draft agreements on priority areas of cooperation.

According to Dawn, the implementation of these measures is expected to promote further digital integration, advance regional trade, and increase the efficiency of transit transport.