UNMIK/PR/1632 - UNMIK Countdown #9
PRISTINA – The UNMIK Customs Service in the past seven years has collected over €2.5 billion towards the Kosovo Consolidated Budget. The average cost for each Euro collected is less than 1.5 cents, making UNMIK Customs one of the most cost-effective organizations in Kosovo. Since its establishment in 1999, the Service has become a modern customs institution that meets almost all European standards in this field.
In 2006, revenue collection was €459.5 million, approximately eight percent higher than the set target. “2006 was an outstanding year for the UNMIK Customs Service, achieving in real terms a 12.5% increase in yield over 2005. We are confident that this is mainly due to increased efficiency in collection, simplified procedures as well as preventing and fighting corrupt practices,” said Peter Walker, Director General of UNMIK Customs.
From 37 customs officers in 1999, who previously worked for Customs in former Yugoslavia, the UNMIK Customs Service has grown into a modern organization with 566 well trained and committed managers and officers, almost 18 percent of them minorities. Starting with the establishment of a customs infrastructure throughout Kosovo, a number of projects have been implemented. These include a computerized customs clearance system that is one of the most modern in the region and adoption of a new Customs Code. Important measures intended to facilitate legitimate trade while countering smuggling, fraud and other illegal activites, were implemented.
Another important project being introduced is the Integrated Border Management (IBM) system. Funded by the European Union, IBM will effect further improvement in infrastructure, legislation and staff capabilities, including through IT development and training courses.
With additional structural changes in the pipeline, the Customs Service is looking at becoming more self–reliant, as UNMIK transfers its competencies to a Kosovo management board.
Note to Editors: With UNMIK in its final phase before status resolution, the Division of Public Information senses an increasing historical focus by local and international media on Kosovo. Therefore, in this special series of weekly press releases we offer news and information about the UN Mission in Kosovo during the past seven years. The press releases seek to provide useful information about UNMIK, including quotes from officials as well as photos and web links.
