Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 24 February President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on improving and digitalizing Uzbekistan’s customs system.

In recent years, significant efforts have been made to strengthen regional and international economic ties. Pre-arrival data exchange has been established with nearly ten countries, customs clearance centers have been created, and modern terminals have been built at four key customs posts. More than 20 customs stations have been equipped with advanced technology, while 35 information systems have been implemented, reducing export procedures from nine to three stages.

These reforms have led to an eightfold increase in the number of vehicles crossing the border, reaching nearly five million. Customs revenues have grown ninefold, surpassing 63 trillion soums in 2023. The time required for cargo clearance has been reduced to three hours for imports and just 20 minutes for exports.

Simplified customs procedures have benefited nearly 6,000 exporters and 20,000 importers, saving them time and financial resources. As a result, Uzbekistan has improved its ranking in the international logistics index for customs efficiency, climbing from 140th to 74th place.

However, challenges remain in further digitalization, process acceleration, and enhancing convenience. The presentation outlined measures to address these issues, including an expansion of customs processing capabilities, which has already increased the export volume of processed goods to over US$1 billion. Optimization of this mechanism is expected to raise this figure to $1.5 billion by the end of 2025.

With growing trade and tourism ties, the number of passengers and vehicles crossing the border is projected to double. To accommodate this increase, Uzbekistan plans to modernize customs infrastructure and expand processing capacity.

One proposed solution is a pre-arrival passenger information system for bus routes, similar to aviation practices, to speed up border clearance. Additionally, a pilot program will introduce "red" and "green" corridors at major customs posts for passenger cars and buses, further streamlining border procedures.

A key focus is the integration of artificial intelligence into customs control. Supported by the World Bank, Uzbekistan will enhance its risk assessment system to evaluate businesses based on 122 criteria, including financial stability, tax compliance, and trade history. AI will also be used to automate the analysis of X-ray scans to detect potential risks in cargo shipments.

President Mirziyoyev approved these initiatives and emphasized the need to improve the efficiency of customs services for businesses and tourists. He also instructed that Uzbekistan’s customs regulations be fully aligned with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards as part of the country’s WTO accession process.

Additionally, the president highlighted the importance of advancing the Customs Institute, training highly qualified specialists in AI, digital technologies, and risk analysis, and expanding dual education programs to enhance practical training in customs administration.