Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project and with the kind host of the Revenue Service, Ministry of Finance of Georgia, the first workshop of the Time Release Study (TRS) programme for Central Asia and the Caucasus was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from 21-24 January 2025.

Sixteen (16) participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended the workshop which covered theoretical sessions on TRS and practical exercises, group work and a visit to the Customs clearance zone in Tbilisi.

Recognizing the importance of the Middle Corridor/Trans Caspian Sea Route from the perspective of the resilience of the international supply chain, the topics covered during the workshop included the WCO Trade Facilitation agenda, key aspects of the WCO TRS methodology, WCO Members’ experiences in conducting TRS. The participants were provided with an overview of all phases of the TRS: planning, data collection, data analysis and reporting.

Moreover, the participants had the unique opportunity to visit the Customs Clearance Zone in Tbilisi. This visit provided them with a first-hand understanding of the Customs clearance reforms implemented in Georgia, particularly the elimination of mandatory involvement of Customs brokers, the use of a risk management system to select cargo for inspection, the simplified process of Customs procedures and the enhancement of cooperation with other government agencies for necessary certificates and permits. The participants also received training on using the WCO TRS software, including developing questionnaires, data entry, and data analysis. They were also trained in concatenating data from various sources into a master data sheet for subsequent uploading into the WCO TRS software.

The workshop was a successful initiative for promoting trade facilitation in the region. It helped participants understand the TRS process and how it can be implemented to improve Customs procedures. Participants also appreciated the opportunity to share experiences and best practices with their peers from other countries in the region. At the end of the workshop, the participants, with the help of experts, created an action plan for conducting a national TRS.

The TRS programme aims to develop experienced Customs officials in the field of TRS who will be responsible for conducting national TRS in the coming two years and sharing the results. The participants are expected to present the results of the TRS conducted by each WCO member, exchange experiences, and discuss the way forward. Additionally, they will work towards establishing recommendations for improving connectivity along the Trans-Caspian route / Middle Corridor based on the outcomes of their national assessments and Customs points of view, which will be shared with the international community of development partners.

For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.