Kabul, Afghanistan – Core trainers who will develop the capacity of the Afghan Customs Department (ACD) have successfully completed the first stage of their preparatory course.

UNOPS has facilitated the ‘Training of Trainers’, a first significant step for the establishment of ACD’s Knowledge Management Unit, at the Customs Academy in Kabul, in coordination with the ACD.

Customs Budget Trainer Shamsulahad Alkozai said: “The training was very fruitful and we learned so many things from it. Besides, it was a great opportunity to meet other participants who work in regional and provincial customs in a friendly atmosphere.”

The six-week Customs Academy course, which focused on the broad border management issues, will soon be followed by more specialized on-the-job training by USAID trade experts. After completing the second part of the course, five trainers will be ready to teach each customs core subjects - Customs Law, Budget, Data, Tariff and HS codes and Valuation respectively. The trainers will then develop training manuals appropriate for Afghanistan and lead the unit’s training activities for all customs officers across the country.

ACD Director General Bismellah Kammawie said: “This is a very important capacity development initiative. The Knowledge Management Unit will serve as a repository of the core customs knowledge within the department, equipping us with the necessary human resources and training materials.”

The Knowledge Management Unit aims to promote more efficient and transparent customs governance and help the Government of Afghanistan increase revenue collection as well as detect illicit border activities.

UNOPS is supporting the establishment and initial operations of the Knowledge Management Unit under the USD 12 million project, ‘Enhancing Border Management Capacity in Takhar Province’ funded by the Government of Japan.

Under the same project, UNOPS also provides construction management services to establish crucial border infrastructure, including office and accommodation buildings and warehousing, at Ai Khanem in Takhar province.