KOSOVO

Customs Laboratory

Assisting the UNMIK / Kosovo Customs Service laboratory in the enhancement of its analytical capabilities through the provision of specialist training.

Customs – Investigation and Enforcement

• Provision of Intellectual Property Rights training for UNMIK Customs Service and the development of associated training modules.



• Development and implementation of Risk Assessment and Selectivity Systems.




• Delivery of training for relevant UNMIK Customs staff to the level necessary to conduct criminal investigations, particularly financial investigations - including money laundering.




• Training and development of search techniques and associated capabilities to interdict and investigate drug smuggling.




• Continuing development of a Customs Intelligence infrastructure for the co-ordination, planning and steering of operational activities.

• Establishment of a centralised (national) database for the recording of intelligence information and enforcement activities.




• Ongoing development of Intelligence Sector personnel through training and the development of appropriate training modules.




• Continued cooperation with other agencies in order to fight against corruption, cross border crime and fiscal evasion (IBM).



• Improving effectiveness of Border Controls.



• Improving regional cooperation.




• Supporting legitimate trade.




• Strengthening the implementation and enforcement of Post clearance procedures.

• Development of PC processes and procedures.




• Implementation of information exchange mechanisms.




• Implementation of practical training and guidance and instructions.

Customs and Tax – Legislation and Procedures

• Continued assistance to the UNMIK Customs Service in drafting Customs legislation and procedures.



• Assistance to the Tax Administration in Kosovo (TAK) in drafting gambling legislation and procedures with a view to the introduction of a ‘national lottery.’




• Assistance, as required, to the TAK in revising direct taxation legislation and associated procedures in order to facilitate inward investment.




• Continued assistance to the TAK in introducing revised procedures associated with the new VAT legislation.




• Developing and improving VAT Registration procedures.




• Strengthening the compliance and collection of VAT taxes.




• Improving the implementation and understanding of VAT legislation.




• Providing support and assistance in VAT legislation.

Customs and Tax – IT Support

• Undertaking a review of the UNMIK Customs IT systems to ensure compatibility with key stakeholder needs and compliance with acquis communautaire. Implementing data protection and knowledge management principles. Reviewing and improving IS Architecture to allow UCS to comply with EU Blueprint standards.




• Continuing to transfer paper-based instructions and guidance within UNMIK Customs to an electronic environment for internet and intranet dissemination.




• Implementation of an IT system to manage correspondence and files in the UNMIK Customs Service which meet open government and security standards.




• Provision of assistance to the Tax Administration in Kosovo to migrate (part) of the SIGTAS system to web technology.




• Development and implementation of an MIS system as previously determined.

Tax – Governance

• Continuing development of a ‘fit for purpose’ Senior Management Team.




• Design and implementation of a Management Information System to assist senior management in making better informed decisions – including financial and budgetary management systems.




• Implementation of enhanced Performance Assessment, job evaluation, job design, appraisal, promotion, performance related pay and performance standards mechanisms, through mentoring and training of senior managers.

Tax – Enforced Collection

• Introduction of robust enforced collection procedures to support the credibility and collection of indirect taxes.




• Ensuring that the legal processes provide appropriate and adequate responses to taxpayer indebtedness.