President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a working meeting with Head of the State Customs Service Pavlo Ryabikin on the course of reforming the department.
The Head of the State Customs Service reported to the President on the current state of affairs. The issue of implementation of plans to fill the state budget for 2021 was discussed separately.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that, in addition to implementing the plan, it is also necessary to move in the direction of customs reform.
Pavlo Ryabikin said that the reform envisages, in particular, the transition to the latest technologies and digitization, simplification and harmonization of customs procedures, duty rates with European legislation, training and testing of personnel, improvement of material and technical base and more.
According to him, the law of Ukraine on the introduction of the authorized economic operator has already entered into force. The introduction of the AEO contributes to the approximation of Ukrainian customs legislation to European standards, simplifies and facilitates international trade, increases the competitiveness of Ukrainian AEOs in both domestic and foreign markets. Work is underway to accede to the European Convention on a Common Transit Procedure. In November 2020, Ukraine launched the pilot application of a new computerized transit system (NCTS), the use of which is a prerequisite for Ukraine’s accession to the Convention. It is the basis for the movement of goods between EU member states. The first stage of the pilot project will last until March 16, 2021. This will facilitate the movement of goods between the countries that have acceded to the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure.
The Head of State noted that the reform of the customs service is aimed at avoiding complicated bureaucratic procedures, which often become a field for corruption.
"The reform of the State Customs Service needs to be accelerated. Ukrainian customs should cease to be a gravy train for small and large corrupt officials and a gateway for smugglers. It must become a transparent, understandable and convenient service for entrepreneurs and citizens," the President said.