China expected to provide 30 million USD to support improvement of Tajik Customs Service’s technical capacity.  The funds will be spent for purchase of the state-of-the-art screening technology and smuggling detection equipment in China.

“The funds are provided in accordance with a government-to-government agreement signed in October last year,”  an official source within the Tajik government told Asia-Plus in an interview.

“Due to the allocated amount, Beijing will deliver the state-of-the-art equipment for the inspection of cargo, transport, baggage, goods and people at the customs checkpoints in Tajikistan,” the source said, noting that the main part of the allocated amount is grant funds.

Besides, Chinese specialists will train Tajik customs officers how to operate the equipment.  

Tajikistan, for its part, will exempt the delivery of the mentioned technology and equipment from payment of the value added tax (VAT) and customs duties, the source added.