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Belarus’ Customs gets technical aid from China
MINSK DISTRICT, 16 May (BelTA) – The Belarusian customs service has received a batch of technical and economic aid from the Chinese government. A ceremony to hand over high-tech equipment took place in the transport and logistics center Minsk-Beltamozhservis-2 on 16 May, BelTA has learned.
Director of the International Technical and Economic Exchange Center of the Chinese Commerce Ministry Yan Dong presented the symbolic key to the Belarusian side.
Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Vladimir Archakov said: “Belarus and China have reached a high level of mutual cooperation. The countries are strategic partners in every way. We are united by the commonality of principles of domestic and foreign policies. We have the same views on the international agenda. Our country persistently supports all the Chinese initiatives in international organizations. I would like to emphasize the high level of cooperation in security matters. Today’s event is a case in point.”
Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Nikolai Svirid said: “The Belarusian customs service is intent on promptly and properly performing customs control procedures while ensuring maximum security. Having the right tools to do the job is important. Thanks to cooperation with the People’s Republic of China the inventory of customs control means of the Belarusian customs service has been expanded with 49 modern devices today.”
The new batch of equipment includes a mobile inspection system, nine systems to inspect luggage while automatically detecting narcotics and explosives, 33 portable and six desktop devices to detect traces of narcotics and explosives. The equipment was made by the Chinese company Nuctech. The new mobile inspection system will allow Belarusian customs officers to perform customs control functions without opening vehicles and without damaging freight packaging. The system will allow scanning 20-25 vehicles per hour. The system has workstations for the operator and the analyst.
The Belarusian customs service already uses two Nuctech inspection systems – a stationary one and a railway one. They are used to scan an average of 40,000 trucks and 150,000 railway cars per annum. They helped detect about 1,500 administrative offenses in 2018, with over $8 million worth of goods seized. A desktop device provided by China to detect traces of narcotics and explosives is also used in the Minsk National Airport.
The equipment was delivered on time. It will be deployed in border checkpoints within the next few days. The deputy chairman of the State Customs Committee underlined that the delivery of the hardware is important for Belarus considering preparations for and the actual hosting of the prestigious international sport event – the 2nd European Games Minsk 2019.
Nikolai Svirid pointed out: “Belarus is a transit country. The customs service is responsible for promptly and properly processing the freight and transport traffic that crosses the country. The degree of utilization of Belarus’ transit potential depends on how smoothly the customs service operates. The equipment we are getting today will make a contribution to stronger technical potential of the Belarusian customs service. It will shorten border crossing time and accelerate the processing of freight, including within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative.”
In Q1 2019 some 14.5 million tonnes of transit freight crossed the Belarusian customs border, about 8% up from Q1 2018. The amount of Chinese mercantile transit traffic has increased by 12% from the beginning of the year.
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