Turkmenistan modernizes customs with UNCTAD assistance
Turkmenistan is combining the implementation of modern technology with workforce training to modernize its trade and customs system. This is according to a source at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as reported by Trend.
"UNCTAD is collaborating with Turkmenistan's customs and border agencies on practical capacity-building: implementing risk-based controls, classifying and evaluating goods, transitioning to electronic documents and paperless processing, and developing clear operational guidelines and service standards," the source told Trend.
According to the agency's source, the initiative involves strengthening interagency cooperation at the border and aligning the regulatory framework with international best practices. This will accelerate trade processes, making them more predictable and transparent.
A key component of the program is the ASYCUDA system—a comprehensive UNCTAD solution for automating customs operations. It is designed to improve the efficiency of cross-border trade management, speed up procedures, reduce costs, and increase transparency.
"In August 2025, we moved to the third phase of the national customs modernization initiative in Turkmenistan—integrating advanced ASYCUDA solutions with large-scale training for local specialists who will be able to independently manage and develop the system in the future. This will ensure faster cargo clearance, lower costs, and increased transparency for market participants, while also preparing the country for accession to the World Trade Organization and strengthening its role as a key regional transit hub," the source explained.
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