MOSCOW (Voice of Russia): Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia’s customs system should be among the most modern and effective systems in the world. He stressed making customs administrative procedures faster, more transparent and more reliable, promoting the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence, and increasing trade facilitation for businesses.
On October 22, a ceremony was held in the Catherine Hall of the Moscow Kremlin to present the official flag to Russia’s Federal Customs Service. President Putin presented the flag to the head of the service, Valery Pikalyov.
Addressing the ceremony, the Russian president said the flag is the official symbol of the Federal Customs Service, representing the historical traditions of the institution and their continuity.
President Putin said that this year marks 35 years since the establishment of Russia’s modern customs institutions. During this period, the customs system has made notable progress and has continuously improved its technical capabilities and workforce.
According to the Russian president, large-scale systematic work is under way under the customs service’s development strategy. The new plans under this strategy include making key administrative operations faster and more reliable, expanding automated systems, and introducing modern technology including artificial intelligence.
He said full implementation of all these plans is essential, and that he trusts the professional abilities and sense of responsibility of customs officers.
President Putin said Russian customs officers, like their predecessors, are protecting the country’s national interests and performing extremely important duties.
Praising the services of customs officers, he said their fundamental mission is to ensure that foreign trade, international economic relations and cooperation with different countries serve Russia’s interests.
According to the Russian president, the customs system should help strengthen national sovereignty and security, contribute to budget stability, and create new opportunities for economic cooperation with reliable partners.
He said this cooperation extends to the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union as well as Russia’s partners and friendly countries on all continents of the world.
President Putin specifically directed that a favorable business environment be provided for Russian companies and industrial enterprises.
He said it is essential to provide simple and accessible services to businesses that work honestly and in accordance with national interests.
The Russian president also stressed making the procedures for preparing foreign trade documents, customs declarations and the clearance of goods even simpler and more transparent.
He said Russia has all the necessary resources to be among the world’s most modern and effective customs systems, including trained personnel, modern technology and historical experience.
President Putin expressed confidence that Russian customs officers will continue to perform their duties successfully in the future as well.
At the end of the ceremony, the Russian president congratulated all current and former officers of the Federal Customs Service on the presentation of the official flag and the upcoming Customs Day, and wished them success in serving the country and the nation.
On the occasion, the head of the Federal Customs Service, Valery Pikalyov, thanked President Putin and said the ceremony of presenting the official flag to the institution will hold special importance in the history of the Russian customs service.
He said customs officers regard this flag as a symbol of the state’s trust and of the institution’s historical traditions, and will respect and protect it.
Valery Pikalyov assured President Putin that Russian customs officers will continue to perform their duties with honesty and responsibility in the future as well to protect the country’s economic security.
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