Project to raise confidence in customs

The Institute for Development and Social Initiative (IDIS) Viitorul, in association with the Customs Service, launched a project to combat corruption and raise the confidence of people, and especially businesses, in customs activities, Info-Prim Neo reports. A hot-line will be opened as part of the project to receive calls reporting cases of corruption at the customs. Furthermore, a Civic Council will be re-opened to advise the Customs Service. “We want this Civic Council to be functional. It will be composed of representatives from civil society, the media, the business and from the Customs Service”, said Viorel Chivriga, expert with IDIS, at a news conference on Wednesday. Besides these activities, there will be trainings and seminars featuring foreign experts and customs professionals. Also, legal document will be developed to streamline the process of handling individuals and cargo at the customs. Natalia Calenic, department head at the Customs Service, said the project was a confirmation of the Service's commitment to develop professional standards, transparency and combat corruption. “The Customs Service relies on the civil society's assistance in combating corruption in the system”, said Natalia Calenic The cooperation with civil society led to easier customs procedures, remarked Ion Magu, the spokesperson of the Service. Of the nine agencies that worked at the borders, only two have been left – the Border Guards and the Customs Service; both work on a one-stop-shop basis. The project is financed by the East-Europe Foundation.