Five non-intrusive inspection systems were repaired with the assistance of the Government of the United States, which provided US$1.3 million in technical support. The mobile scanners were put into operation in an official ceremony on December 4, IPN reports, with reference to the Customs Service.
In the event, director general of the Customs Service Vitalie Vrabie thanked the representatives of the U.S. Government for the permanent support. “The ensuring of the country’s economic and transfrontier security is a key priority of the Customs Service. In the fulfillment of this duty, we cannot do without the necessary inspection instruments and mechanisms. The challenges faced in this sector make us to take measures to improve the anti-fraud activity and we are glad that we further benefit from the support of the development partners,” stated Vitalie Vrabie.
U.S. Ambassador to Moldova James Pettit said the extension of the period of exploiting the X-ray mobile scanners of the Customs Service is an excellent example of partnership with the Republic of Moldova in securing the border, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and facilitating trade.
Attending the event, Minister of Finance Octavian Armasu said the scanning equipment is primarily used to secure the border by preventing and stopping smuggling. The five scanners donated by the U.S. Government will ease the work of customs offices in managing the flow of trucks at the border and in fighting smuggling.
The component parts of the mobile scanners were supplied and substituted within the U.S. Government-funded EXBS Program. The given program is implemented based on the intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the Republic of Moldova concerning cooperation in facilitating the provision of assistance that was signed in Chisinau on March 21, 1994.
