Afghan National Customs Academy opens in Kabul

KABUL , Jan. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadian Ambassador William Crosbie and United States Ambassador for Economic and Development Affairs Anthony Wayne joined Minister of Finance H.E. Dr. Omar Zakhilwal for the opening of the Afghan National Customs Academy (ANCA).

Established with the support of a number of international donors, the ANCA will assist the Afghanistan Customs Department to develop into a modern customs service.

"The opening of this academy is of particular importance to Canada , as it furthers a key area of focus for our engagement in Afghanistan ," said Ambassador William Crosbie . "A more secure and better-managed border is essential for promoting much needed economic opportunities for Afghans."

Through the ANCA, 150 to 200 recruits will be trained over the course of 12 months on customs practices. At the same time, four Afghan trainers will participate in a train-the-trainer program so that Afghans can train Afghans to ensure that the ANCA will remain operational and sustainable over the long term.

"A strong, professional, and nationally unified Customs Service allows commerce - the life blood of the economy - to flow. This will bring measurable economic benefits to legitimate traders and consumers," said Ambassador Anthony Wayne .

The Canada Border Services Agency, which manages Canada's air, land and sea border crossings, has developed tailored training materials that will be used in the Academy's curriculum. The agency has also provided a deputy dean and a senior trainer who will work with recruits and officials. The US Border Management Task Force will provide funding for a contractor to operate the Academy, the dean of the Academy and five trainers.

    
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                                 Backgrounder
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                       Afghan National Customs Academy
    

Well-managed borders are key to long-term economic development, as well as to long-term stability and security.

Through the Afghan National Customs Academy (ANCA), 150 to 200 recruits will be trained over the course of 12 months on internationally recognized World Customs Organization (WCO) customs practices. At the same time, four Afghan trainers will participate in a train-the-trainer program so that Afghans can train Afghans to ensure that the ANCA will remain operational and sustainable over the long term.

The training provided through the Academy will help build a professional, effective customs workforce, improving how customs work is done in Afghanistan .

With the support of a number of international donors, the Afghan National Customs Academy has been established to assist the Afghanistan Customs Department to develop into a modern customs service. The US Border Management Task Force is providing funding for a contractor to operate the Academy, the dean of the Academy and five trainers.

Canada has developed customs training modules for inclusion in the curriculum of the Afghan National Customs Academy in Kabul and will be developing a Senior Management Development Program for the Academy. The Government of Canada is also providing experts from the Canada Border Services Agency to fill the role of deputy dean and senior trainer for the Academy.

Other international donors, including USAID and the World Bank, will also each provide a trainer.

The knowledge and experience these customs experts will pass on to Afghanistan Customs Department recruits and officials will equip the Government of Afghanistan with a stronger capacity to consistently manage the border, contribute to border security, and maximize customs revenue collection.

The Afghan National Customs Academy is co-located with the Counter-Narcotics Training Academy.

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