ECONOMY
Baku hosts 10th annual WCO PICARD Conference VIDEO
Baku, September 9, AZERTAC
10th annual meeting of PICARD programme (Program of research and professionalism in the customs area) of the World Customs Organization (WCO) has kicked off in Baku.
The conference brought together 241 delegates from 53 countries and representatives of 21 international and regional organizations including 3 Nobel Prize Winners.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the event Chairman of the State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev said that the establishment of the Customs Service in Azerbaijan dates back to 1992.
Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov underlined that the country's historical location at the crossroads of diverse cultures and civilizations created favorable conditions for Azerbaijan to play the role of a bridge between North-South and East-West.
Abid Sharifov noted that for both political and economic development each country should have a strong potential of education and competent staff.
Expressing the importance of the conference WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya described holding World Customs Organization`s 10th PICARD Conference in Baku as a significant event.
Vice Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service Don-Hyun Lee highlighted requirements and tasks in front of the customs service and customs officials around the world.
The conference then heard the reports of Erick Mask (US), Nobel Prize laureate and professor of Harvard University, and Michael Moore (United Kingdom), Director General of the International Centre for Tax and Development, titled "Why global markets failed to reduce inequity in developing countries?" and "International cooperation: comparison of trade and taxes" respectively.
The participants exchanged views on the speeches and the lecturers responded to a number of questions.
The conference then went on with the sessions "Factors of encouraging customs employees" and "Global Value Chain."
The conference will run until September 11.