Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, met Friday with Christian Vanderwaeren, director general of Belgium’s General Administration of Customs and Excise, to discuss prospects for deepening cooperation in the customs sector.

The talks focused on opportunities to advance the digitalization of customs procedures, professional training, and the exchange of expertise, according to the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium.

During the meeting, Palvanov proposed granting the Training Center of Turkmenistan’s Customs Service the status of a Regional Training Center under the World Customs Organization. The Belgian side welcomed the initiative, highlighting its importance for fostering regional partnerships.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continuing dialogue and strengthening cooperation to promote trade and logistics ties between the two countries.

Belgium’s General Administration of Customs and Excise, a division of the Federal Public Service Finance, is responsible for overseeing the import, export and transit of goods, collecting customs duties and excise taxes, combating smuggling, and enforcing trade regulations.