The Asian Development Bank is working with Tajikistan to improve the efficiency and transparency of customs services, and reinforce legal reforms and the simplification of customs procedures. The project is helping to promote trade regional customs cooperation.
Project Name | Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project (TAJ) | ||||||||||||
Project Number | 37644-013 | ||||||||||||
Country | Tajikistan |
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Project Status | Closed | ||||||||||||
Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Grant Loan |
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Source of Funding / Amount |
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Strategic Agendas | Inclusive economic growth Regional integration |
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Drivers of Change | Governance and capacity development |
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Sector / Subsector | Industry and trade / Trade and services |
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Gender Equity and Mainstreaming | No gender elements | ||||||||||||
Description | The objectives of the Project are to (i) improve the efficiency and transparency of customs services and reinforce the ongoing customs legal reforms and simplification of custom procedures; and (ii) facilitate trade and promote regional customs cooperation through concerted customs reforms and modernization in the Region. | ||||||||||||
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | Since independence in 1991, Tajikistan has been in transition to private sector-led and market-oriented economy. Development of an outward-oriented trading environment is an integral part of the transition strategy as this country is highly dependent on international trade. Significant progress has been made in trade liberalization and trade-related policy reforms as evidenced by Tajikistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1998. Progress in trade facilitation is equally significant and has effectively complemented trade policy reforms. Among all the agencies relevant to trade facilitation and border controls, the customs administration is commonly recognized as one of the most important because of its control functions, revenue collection, and prevention of smuggling and drug-trafficking. The Customs Administration of Tajikistan is relatively young and have suffered from weak institutional capacity, low efficiency, and poor governance. Recognizing these weaknesses, this country launched comprehensive modernization programs in 2002 to address this most critical bottleneck of trade facilitation. Significant progress has been made since the inception of the reform programs, particularly in legal and institutional reforms, and strengthening of cooperation with customs administrations of neighboring countries. However, the benefits of customs legal and institutional reforms and regional customs cooperation initiatives cannot be fully realized, unless there is commensurate development and modernization of customs physical infrastructure to improve efficiency and transparency of customs services. This country do not have adequate information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure to support automated customs services. The border post conditions are poor because of inadequate budget support. The Project is directly relevant to ADB's strategic objectives for the two countries. Regional cooperation with an emphasis on trade and transport infrastructure is a priority area in support of private sector-led development. ADB's Country Strategy and Program for Tajikistan (2004-2008) focuses on promoting economic growth through (i) rural development and (ii) regional cooperation. Trade facilitation is a strategic pillar of ADB's Regional Cooperation Strategy and Program for 2005-2007 and the Project is a priority. ADB adopts a three-pronged strategy for trade facilitation to help (i) modernize customs infrastructure, including customs legal and physical infrastructure; (ii) develop customs-supporting infrastructure by fostering customs intermediaries and their associations, such as brokers' associations; and (iii) support regional customs cooperation to address issues of common concern and complement country-specific support. |
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Impact | Promotion of international trade and an enabling environment for private sector development. |
Project Outcome | |
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Description of Outcome | Improved efficiency and transparency of customs services, and facilitated trade and promoted regional customs cooperation. |
Progress Toward Outcome | The Project (Loan/Grant) was closed as scheduled on 31 October 2011. |
Implementation Progress | |
Description of Project Outputs | Development of a unified automated information system (UAIS) Border-post infrastructure development Human resource development, public awareness campaign, and border interagency cooperation (to support implementation of components 1 and 2) |
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | The project progress is 100% as of 31 October 2011. (i) Development of UAIS. The UAIS contract was awarded on 30 June 2009. Development of UAIS system included 11 subsystems. Working Group was created by the Customs Service to oversee the UAIS component implementation. On 28 August 2009 the Project Plan with the detailed schedule on UAIS development was agreed between EA and the Contractor. Software Requirements Specification was approved on 4 December 2009. The UAIS pilot testing started in October 2010 and was rolled out to 72 border posts. The system has been successfully completed. (ii) Border-Post Infrastructure Development. Rehabilitation of eight customs border posts located in Isfara, Zafarabad, Spitamen, Dushanbe, Murgab, Ishkoshim and Farkhor rayons, for which contracts were signed in May 2009, is completed. Construction of 3 customs border posts: Karamyk in Jirgital rayon, Kushtegirmon in Spitamen rayon, and Aivaj in Shaartuz rayon is also completed. The civil works at Kulma border post were completed in October 2011. To ensure uninterrupted power supply in the most remote project sites, the contract for procurement of wind turbines and solar panels for Kulma and Kizilart border posts was awarded on 28 March 2011. The equipment was supplied at the border posts in October 2011. The EA also procured anti-smuggling equipment to improve customs services. The contract for procurement of twelve X-ray machines and three electronic scales was awarded on 4 February 2010. The equipment was delivered at the border posts. (iii) Human Resource Development. The training of customs officers on UAIS system was completed in October 2011. At the first stage, the customs officers were trained on basic and advanced computer skills. At the second and third stage, they were trained on operation of the UAIS subsystems and its practical use. The EA is recommended to undertake measures to sustain acquired skills and knowledge. |
Geographical Location |
Safeguard Categories | |
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Environment | C |
Involuntary Resettlement | C |
Indigenous Peoples | C |
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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Environmental Aspects | |
Involuntary Resettlement | |
Indigenous Peoples | |
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
During Project Design | Consultation with Government agencies and nongovernment organizations during the implementation of the PPTA was conducted. |
During Project Implementation | A Project Steering Committee (PSC) was established to guide the overall direction and coordinate issues related to Project implementation. The PSC also serves as an additional mechanism for private sector participation in customs modernization in addition to the Consultatvie Council where Customs and private sector stakeholders meet regularly to discuss customs related issues and address major non-trade barriers facing traders and their representatives. Members of the PSC meet two times a year or as needed. To oversee the daily implementation of the Project, a Project Management Office (PMO)was set up within the Customs Service Department. |
Business Opportunities | |
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Consulting Services | The Project will finance international and domestic consulting services to assist the PMO in project implementation. The terms of reference for the consultant services include systems analysis and design (technical specifications, hardware and software strategy), systems development/integration, systems implementation and project management advices. About 24 person-months of international and 52 person-months of domestic consulting services will be required. The consultants will be engaged either as individuals, and/or consulting firm(s) of international consultants with domestic associates to be selected following the quality-and cost-based selection (QCBS) method, in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants. The implementing agency and ADB have agreed that most of the consultants will be hired through a firm. Domestic consultants will be selected and engaged in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to ADB. Advance recruitment of consultants will be undertaken in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants. The Government was informed that approval of advance action does not commit ADB to finance the Project or to finance the recruitment cost. |
Procurement | All services, supplies and equipment to be financed by ADB will be procured in accordance with ADB's Guidelines for Procurement. Equipment and materials for packages valued at $500,000 or more will be procured through international competitive bidding procedures. Some supply contracts and certain items estimated to cost less than $500,000 will be procured using international shopping procedures. Minor items of equipment and materials costing at $100,000 or less will be procured through direct purchase. Civil work contracts estimated at $1 million equivalent or more will be carried out among pre-qualified contractors using international competitive bidding procedures, while those valued below $1 million equivalent will be carried out using local competitive bidding procedures acceptable to ADB. Force account will be applied to border-post infrastructure development. The upper limit for a force account works package will be $50,000. |
Responsible ADB Officer | Abdulalieva, Zarrina Abdulalievna |
Responsible ADB Department | Central and West Asia Department |
Responsible ADB Division | Tajikistan Resident Mission |
Executing Agencies |
Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan 50 Buhoro Street Dushanbe Tajikistan 734025 |
Timetable | |
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Concept Clearance | 22 Oct 2003 |
Fact Finding | 14 Jun 2004 to 17 Jun 2004 |
MRM | 27 Jul 2004 |
Approval | 12 Aug 2009 |
Last Review Mission | - |
Last PDS Update | 19 Apr 2012 |
Grant 0155-TAJ
Milestones | |||||
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Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
Original | Revised | Actual | |||
12 Aug 2009 | 30 Jun 2010 | 13 Aug 2010 | 10 Jun 2010 | 31 Oct 2011 | 12 Jan 2012 |
Financing Plan | Grant Utilization | ||||
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Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
Project Cost | 8.55 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
ADB | 0.00 | 12 Aug 2009 | 0.00 | 0.93 | 60% |
Counterpart | 5.35 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
Cofinancing | 3.20 | 12 Aug 2009 | 0.00 | 0.93 | 60% |
Status of Covenants | ||||||
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Category | Sector | Safeguards | Social | Financial | Economic | Others |
Rating | - | - | - | Satisfactory | - | Satisfactory |
Loan 2114-TAJ
Milestones | |||||
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Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
Original | Revised | Actual | |||
26 Nov 2004 | 31 Jan 2005 | 01 May 2005 | 30 Jun 2010 | 31 Oct 2011 | 12 Dec 2011 |
Financing Plan | Loan Utilization | ||||
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Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
Project Cost | 21.40 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
ADB | 21.40 | 26 Nov 2004 | 10.32 | 0.00 | 100% |
Counterpart | 0.00 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
Cofinancing | 0.00 | 26 Nov 2004 | 10.32 | 0.00 | 100% |
Status of Covenants | ||||||
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Category | Sector | Safeguards | Social | Financial | Economic | Others |
Rating | - | - | - | Satisfactory | - | Satisfactory |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
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Title | Document Type | Document Date |
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Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project | Project/Program Completion Reports | Oct 2012 |
Региональный проект модернизации таможни и развития инфраструктуры | Project/Program Completion Reports | Oct 2012 |
Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project Management Office (Loan) | Procurement Plans | Dec 2010 |
Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project Management Office (Grant) | Procurement Plans | May 2010 |
Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project | Project/Program Administration Manual | May 2005 |
Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project | Reports and Recommendations of the President | Nov 2004 |
Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project | Reports and Recommendations of the President | Oct 2004 |
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
None currently available.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
Title | Document Type | Document Date |
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Tajikistan: Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project | Validations of Project Completion Reports | Oct 2014 |
Related Publications
None currently available.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.
Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.
Tenders
No tenders for this project were found.
Contracts Awarded
No contracts awarded for this project were found
Procurement Plan
Title | Document Type | Document Date |
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Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project Management Office (Loan) | Procurement Plans | Dec 2010 |
Regional Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development Project Management Office (Grant) | Procurement Plans | May 2010 |