WNAM MONITORING: Turkmenistan is accelerating the modernization of its trade and customs systems by integrating advanced technologies and enhancing the training of national specialists, with support from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Trend reported on Friday, citing UNCTAD.
According to the organization, cooperation with the country’s customs and border agencies includes the introduction of risk-based control mechanisms, a shift to electronic documentation and paperless processing, as well as the development of service standards and operational manuals.
The program aims to strengthen interagency coordination, align national regulations with international standards, and improve transparency in trade procedures. A key component of the initiative is the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA).
As of August 2025, the program has entered its third phase — integrating advanced ASYCUDA solutions with extensive training for specialists. This phase will enable national personnel to independently manage and further develop the system, fostering faster trade turnover, reduced costs, and more predictable procedures.
The initiative is considered an important step toward Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization and bolstering the country’s position as a regional transit hub.
ASYCUDA is a UNCTAD customs software program that facilitates the automation of cargo clearance and trade operations. It streamlines declaration submission, transit control, and record-keeping, while also generating data for economic statistics.
