President Ilham Aliyev has examined the conditions created at the Astara customs department.

The chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC), Aydin Aliyev, reported to the head of state.

Customs and border officials warmly welcomed President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state was informed that according to the State Program on the development of the customs system in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2007-2011, approved by a Presidential Resolution from 1 February 2007, the Astara customs and border checkpoint of the Astara customs department has been rebuilt and state-of-the-art equipment installed in it.

President Ilham Aliyev examined the way motor vehicles undergo customs clearance at the passenger-transport customs control line. It was indicated that all the conditions have been established and the latest equipment installed there.

While the President was reviewing the line of customs control over imports, he was informed that three vehicles at a time could undergo clearance at each of the customs control over import and export lines. There is an electronic queuing system on each line.

In order to ensure the execution of the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev “On the application of the one-window principle to the examination of goods and transport vehicles transported across checkpoints of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, a registration center has been established here enabling timely registration of goods and vehicles at the checkpoint in line with the one-window principle. This has helped to reduce the time spent on the registration of goods and transport vehicles from three hours to 15 minutes.

The head of state examined the photo stand documenting the previous and current appearance of the Astara customs department.

President Ilham Aliyev toured the office building of the Astara customs department, took interest in the conditions at pedestrian lines and the process of customs clearance.

It was indicated that work at the checkpoint is based on modern principles. The conditions established at the Astara customs and border checkpoint for the customs examination of goods and transport vehicles are in line with modern requirements. Special areas have been allocated for examination and inspection, an area established for the customs examination of private individuals, and a modern mobile system of examination of cargoes commissioned to further improve the quality of examination procedures.

Photo stands documenting the activities of great leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev towards developing the country have been put up at the office building.

While in the office building, the head of state watched the process of work at the country’s border checkpoints. It was indicated that it was possible to watch the operation of all units of the Astara customs department. This opens up broad opportunities for the transparency of the work process. There is also a 75-seat meeting and conference room in the office building.

Then President Ilham Aliyev enjoyed the surrounding views from a balcony. It was noted that extensive landscaping work had been carried out and recreation areas set up.

Then the head of state examined the operation of the Customs Training Center. There is a room in memory of Heydar Aliyev, the bust of the great leader and books about the outstanding statesman there. The center also has training rooms, video conferencing and meeting rooms. The building also has a gym with all the conditions for the recreation of the personnel.

While reviewing the customs department, President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the turnover of the Astara customs and border checkpoint in 2009 was 296,600 tons, of which 108,400 tons were made up of imports, 50,200 tons of exports and 138,000 tons of transit cargo. A total of 25,849 transport vehicles have passed through the Astara customs and border checkpoint over the course of one year. Last year, the checkpoint’s turnover was 1.32 million tons, of which 720,650 tons were made up of imports, 120,500 tons of exports and 477,470 tons of transit cargo. The reconstruction of the Astara customs and border checkpoint has increased its turnover and throughput capacity fourfold.

Then the head of state examined Az Duty Free Shops. The modern-style architectural building has been established on the premises of the Astara customs checkpoint. It was indicated that grocery products were mainly available on the first floor and household appliances on the second.

President Ilham Aliyev was informed that 205 people had permanent jobs at the Astara customs checkpoint now.

The head of state expressed his satisfaction with the work done, issued recommendations and instructions. In conclusion, a picture was taken.