Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A delegation from Uzbekistan, led by the Chairman of the State Customs Committee, Akmalkhuja Mavlonov, is visiting Singapore.

The key event of the visit was a meeting with the head of Singapore’s Customs Service, Hung Tan.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on the digitalization of customs administration and the implementation of innovative technologies.

Relations between Uzbekistan and Singapore have significantly strengthened following meetings between the leaders of the two countries in 2023. This has contributed to a 31% increase in bilateral trade in 2024, reaching nearly US$120 million.

Singapore is a global leader in the digitalization of customs processes, actively integrating artificial intelligence technologies. As a result, the country consistently ranks at the top of the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI).

One of its most notable achievements has been the creation of the world’s first national Single Window system, TradeNet, which has significantly optimized trade processes. In 2018, Singapore launched a modern digital ecosystem that streamlined customs and logistics operations. As a result, cargo declarations are processed in an average of just 10 minutes, with 80-90% of all documents handled automatically, significantly reducing time and financial costs for businesses.

During the visit, both sides discussed exchanging expertise in the use of artificial intelligence in customs administration, conducting regular online meetings to address pressing issues, and fostering cooperation between the Tashkent Customs Institute and the Singapore Customs Academy.

The delegation also visited Singapore’s largest border checkpoint, Pasir Panjang, where they familiarized themselves with its operations and the cutting-edge technologies employed in customs control processes.