One-stop shop for customs inaugurated in Kabul

AVA- The inauguration was attended by officials including Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, U.S. Ambassador John Bass.

Abdullah called the move a major step in strengthening the exports of Afghanistan, encouraging domestic production, adding it will help the country’s exports.

The centre is expected to speed up the export documentation procedures, reduce corruption in export documentation, contribute to increased exports of Afghan products, increased employment and family incomes, increased legal exports, reduce transport costs and save time.

Abdullah said that there have been bureaucratic obstacles in customs clearance and stressed on the importance of better coordination between government institutions and private sector.

The official also cited insecurity and terror threat as a problem.

“One on one hand there are development works for stability and better future such as today’s step, and on the other hand terrorist attacks target Afghanistan,” Abdullah said.

The OSS is established with the financial and technical support of the United States Agency for International Development.

“For too long, Afghanistan has in the minds, in the eyes, in the ears of the rest of the world been equated with violence and conflict rather than with the beauty of its gemstones, with the flavour of its fruits, nuts , vegetables, with the complexity of its carpets,” U.S. Ambassador John Bass said.

He said that the new centre will reduce bureaucracy, streamline the process of helping Afghan businesses and get Afghan products to international markets.