Volodymyr Groysman discussed initial steps to reform the customs service on the results of the US mission to assess the needs in Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with the U.S. mission to assess the needs in reforming the customs service on the results of the mission’s work in Ukraine. The sides discussed the recommendations for reform of the Ukrainian customs and plan of further cooperation.

The meeting of the Prime Minister with the delegation of the Customs and Border Protection of the United States on Monday was the second since the beginning of the mission’s work to assess the needs of Ukraine on June 29, and was held to mark the completion of its work.

Volodymyr Groysman thanked the members of the U.S. mission to assess the needs for fruitful work on the development of recommendations for reforming the Ukrainian customs.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Government has enough political will and determination to reform the customs service of Ukraine.

"Your professional and unbiased opinion is very important. We want to change the customs service and make it as good as possible, so your experience is extremely important for us," stated Volodymyr Groysman.

The Prime Minister urged U.S. experts to urgently develop recommendations for customs reform. "We appreciate the report, recommendations which we will get regarding your work. And we would like to quickly start its implementation," he said.

Volodymyr Groysman expressed hope that the plan of short-, medium- and long-term actions will be quickly concluded and the Government will be able to start its implementation.

Commenting on the results of the mission’s work in Ukraine, the representatives of the Customs and Border Protection of the United States sounded their key warning – the vulnerability of the Ukrainian customs to corruption. They outlined the general remarks about the necessary changes, including organizational restructuring, changing the system of internal customs offices, simplifying of procedures, improving of information technology support, staff training, as well as increased salaries and funding of the customs service.

The members of the mission to assess the needs pointed out that the effective work of customs is a prerequisite for economic growth in the country. According to them, the reform of the customs service and its efficient work will help increase revenue collection to the state budget and ensure the security of state borders.

American experts underlined that a report with recommendations on the results of the mission’s work will be formed within 30 days. After that the Government will adopt the recommendations as a plan to reform the Ukrainian customs and define mechanisms for its implementation, stated Volodymyr Groysman.

He recalled that recently in Ukraine was the anniversary of the establishment of the National Police. "I wish the Ukrainian customs reform became the second successful project that has been compromised since gaining our independence," said the Prime Minister.

These two projects are being implemented in Ukraine with the U.S. support, highlighted Volodymyr Groysman and thanked the United States for their help.