Uzbekistan Customs Committee chairman, Akmalhuja Mavlonov and Commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection, Troy Miller held talks in Washington on September 13. According to the press service of the Customs Committee, this has been the first meeting of this format since the two countries established diplomatic relations 32 years ago. Following the talks, the parties signed an Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.
Over the past six years, the two-way trade between Uzbekistan and the United States has grown by 48%, and by 64% in the first eight months of this year. However, these figures do not correspond to the existing potential and capabilities of the two countries, the statement emphasized.
Since expanding trade depends on cooperation and information exchange between customs, the main focus of the talks was on monitoring customs risks, digitalization of customs procedures and the effective use of human resources.
As part of the signed agreement, the parties vow to expand cooperation in the exchange of customs information and the fight against money laundering, avoidance of customs duties, drug trafficking, human trafficking and transnational criminal groups.
Reportedly, the United States had previously signed a similar agreement with only 17 countries out of about 200 countries in the world.
Akmalhuja Mavlonov and Troy Miller also discussed attracting US customs experts in targeting and improving the skills of Uzbek customs officers in the United States.
During the visit, the delegation of the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan visited the National Targeting Center (which identifies passengers and cargo that pose a threat to the country's security), the Canine Academy, the San Antonia International Airport in Texas, the World Trade Bridge automobile border customs post in Laredo, and "also the Texas-Mexico international railway checkpoint."
