Big business helps Belarus’ Customs fight infringing merchandise

GOMEL, 20 October (BelTA) – Major companies that operate on the Belarusian market are eager to support the Belarusian customs service in its fight against illegal distribution of infringing merchandise. The information was released by Andrei Mikhalkevich, Head of the Contraband and Administrative Customs Violations Office of the State Customs Committee of Belarus, at the border crossing station Novaya Guta on 20 October. As an example Andrei Mikhalkevich pointed out cooperation of Belarus’ Customs with the tobacco manufacturer Japan Tobacco International. The State Customs Committee of Belarus and Japan Tobacco International have signed a cooperation memorandum. The company has provided $170,000 as technical aid meant to acquire technical customs control instruments. At present the instruments are used to detect contraband at the border. Apart from that, within the next three years the company intends to buy 12 automobiles worth over $240,000 for law enforcement units of the customs service. The mutual interest of the company and the customs service has enabled effective counteraction of illegal distribution of tobacco products in Europe. This year the Belarusian customs service has stopped over 111 million cigarettes at the Belarus-EU border, including over 8 million infringing products. Similar memorandums have been signed with two more major manufacturers of tobacco products lately. Negotiations are underway to sign a memorandum of cooperation with a mobile phone manufacturer. “We welcome the aid that helps enforce our laws and hope that our cooperation with the business community will grow larger,” said Andrei Mikhalkevich.

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