Deputy PM: Azerbaijani customs makes great contribution to economy

Azerbaijan, Baku, April 12 / Trend A. Akhundov / The work of the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee has made a great contribution to Azerbaijan's economic success, Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov said at the Conference of Heads of Customs Services in the European Region of the World Customs Organisation in Baku today. "Azerbaijan's GDP has increased by three times for the past eight years," he said. "This is a record for the region and a good index in the world. During this period, the population's income increased and the poverty level reduced. The State Customs Committee played a great role in achieving this success." He stressed that the State Customs Committee's activity is improving year on year and plays an important role in protecting the internal market, security, promotes domestic production and increases export potential. "Azerbaijani customs has a modern legal and material, technical base," he said. "At present, the State Customs Committee's external relations have increased. Its integration into the international customs community is being intensified." He added that the role of customs in the budget revenue formation also increased. "About 3.5 million manat was transferred to the country's budget through the State Customs Committee in 1994," he added. "This figure increased to 1.14 billion manat in 2011." The official exchange rate is 0.7860 AZN/USD on April 12. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az