On 15 June 2007, customs officers who completed a 4-day course held in Banja Luka received certificates, within the framework of theEU-funded project “EU Support to the Implementation of Integrated Border Management Strategy in BiH”.

The certificates were handed out by Mr. Kemal Causevic, Director of the Indirect Taxation Authority, and Mr. Luc Steiman, Task Manager for Integrated Border Management in the EC Delegation to BiH.

This project promotes the idea of controlled and safe borders that are at the same time open for legal trade and tourism. The concept of Integrated Border Management includes the co-ordination and co-operation of all agencies and bodies involved in cross-border activities, to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness of border management. The aim is to build up a functional, efficient and integrated system of border management at national and international level.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in BiH delivered the training for the Indirect Taxation Authority senior management. The training aims to increase the efficiency of border crossing points and the implementation of the objectives in the “BiH Integrated Border Management Strategy”.

The training covered the following topics: analysis of situation; organizational document (profile) of business risk management; human resource management; periodical reporting of organizational units; aspects of customs co-operation with other agencies and organizations at border crossing points; co-operation with Customs administrations in neighboring countries; implementation of control activities using risk analysis at border crossing points; record keeping of data; customs information system and improvement of economic currents.

The EU provided 1 million Euro while the IOM provided co-funding of 18,000 Euro.

The EU has allocated an additional 1 million Euro for IT equipment, to provide a network installation to connect the different institutions involved.