DUSHANBE (Asia-Plus) – Yesterday, August 8, the U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Sarah Penhune and the First Deputy Chairman of the Tajikistan Customs Service Mr. Nemat Rahmatov participated in a ceremony to officially launch the use of a new Help Desk software package for Tajikistan’s automated customs system.

The software was developed with assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Regional Trade Liberalization and Customs (RTLC) Project. The Help Desk system will improve the Customs Service’s Unified Automated Information System by saving time and resources for traders and customs officials.

In her remarks, Ms. Penhune commented, “The effective use of customs automation will encourage trade in Tajikistan, helping to increase economic activity and tax revenue while also reducing corruption.”

Mr. Guntis Stamers, a customs information technology expert with USAID’s RTLC project, pointed out, “The Help Desk System will serve as a focal enquiry point for the system’s users to immediately react to problems encountered. The software developed within the Help Desk System will ensure full-time, fast, and effective operation of this system.”

HelpDesk is a system that supports the Unified Automated Information System and is designed to computerize customs processes and will let businessman and customs service to save time and resources.