PM says Gov't to decide on introduction of a single customs window and curbing the so-called 'nut mafia'

On Wednesday the Government is to adopt a decision on the introduction of the single window concept at the customs and curbing the so-called ‘nut mafia’ that will ensure transparency of the Ukrainian customs. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman, opening a Government’s session on Wednesday, 25 May.

"There is an issue on the establishment of a single customs window. This means that we will completely systematize customs procedures, and since then no one will abuse by checking the same transport fifty times," said Volodymyr Groysman, commenting on the meeting agenda.

The Government is also to take a decision that will put an end to the so-called ‘nut mafia’ by limiting the period for inspecting vehicles with nuts aimed for export, said the Prime Minister. "A decision to be approved today will regulate this check - four hours. Four hours for checking, otherwise, - the tacit approval, transport has to go to customs," he said.

Moreover, from August 1 it will be introduced a special procedure of the customs inspection of goods in accordance with the risk management system, informed Volodymyr Groysman. According to him, from August the customs clearance of goods will be recorded and carried out by several customs officers that will minimize the risks.

The Government also plans to fulfill technical upgrading and modernization of the customs offices, including the installation of scanners and renewal of staff that will "introduce new approaches to the customs control," said Volodymyr Groysman.

"It will give us tens of billions to the state budget and allow our domestic producers to develop. This is one of our priorities. Then everything the economy to earn will be directed to the development of the country and provision of effective social policy. It’s our common task," he noted.

The Prime Minister said that the Government tasked the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine to bring order to the Ukrainian customs in order to ensure completely qualitative customs processing and payment of all customs fees to the state budget. This means salaries in the budget sector, pensions, more specifically, offsetting a deficit of the Pension Fund, including a lot of other areas that allow us to develop the infrastructure, to obtain energy independence.

Volodymyr Groysman stressed that the Ukrainian customs is facing today large-scale corruption and the inefficient system of control and passage of goods, bringing losses to the national economy and impeding the development of domestic producers. "And most importantly - any smuggled goods that enter the market of Ukraine impede the development of domestic producers, creation of jobs and maintains an image of the country with the commodity-dependent economy, which is unacceptable," he pointed out.

"It is essential that import-export legally passes in and out of Ukraine without any obstacles while smugglers should change the country of residence or their occupation," underlined the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister noted that Ukrainian customs reform would facilitate the development of the domestic economy, which is a task and a priority of the Government. "We need to build a strong economy as well as effective social policy. All requirements that exist in other areas of life, ranging from defense and ending with issues of culture depend on the national economic growth," he said.

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