On July 12, USAID's Regional Trade Liberalization and Customs Project and the Kazakhstan Union of Customs Declarers held a "Customs Union: Practice, Problems and Solutions" roundtable in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The roundtable brought together representatives of business, exporters and importers, freight forwarding and brokerage companies, owners of warehouses and logistics centers, business associations, and government.

Participants discussed, with representatives of the Customs Union Commission, experiences and problems arising from implementation of the Customs Union; explored ways to improve working conditions for traders; and prepared recommendations on successfully engaging in foreign trade under the new regime.

Featured speakers also presented the likely advantages to traders of the elimination of customs borders on July 1, and advised on ways to stimulate foreign trade operations and turnover.

Finally, and in cooperation with government authorities, participants made recommendations on pertinent notification of amendments to the laws and procedures, and mass media outreach for the business community.

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