Crown Agents successfully completed a two-year programme of assistance to the Macedonian Customs Administration in October 2009. This programme delivered substantial benefits to the Administration in terms of both the levels of revenue collection and also in its preparations for eventual membership of the European Union.
Following completion of this programme, Macedonian Customs expressed their strong wish to retain Crown Agents in some capacity in order to further assist them in their process of reform and modernisation. A new contract was therefore signed in January 2010, to provide a limited but still important programme of support. This includes a long-term adviser, working directly with the Director-General and his senior management, focusing on EU standards, particularly in relation to risk management and intelligence. This programme has delivered a number of recommedations for enhancement of controls, particularly in the area of excise, assisted in the development of a new risk management strategy and organised the delivery of training to customs officials.
The contract has now been extended for a further period, until 30th April 2011, with additional areas of work now being addressed.