Crown Agents has worked in partnership with the Macedonian Customs Administration since 2007 and on 10th March, 2010, an extension to our contract was signed to continue to provide advice and support.
The Crown Agents Foundation was concurrently hosting a regional seminar on the Management of IPA EU funds in Veles which was attended by 28 senior and distinguished representatives from six countries, all at various stages of entry into the EU.
Symbolically, three Japanese cherry trees were planted in the grounds of the Customs Administration building by Mr. Vanco Kargov, Director General of Macedonian Customs Administration, and Mr. Steve Taylor, Crown Agents' Executive Director. These trees provide a vision for growth. The work on risk analyses, intelligence, anti-corruption, fraud and management development is assisting the Government in modernisation and will be critical to increasing revenue collection and providing a stable environment for EU Accession.
The roots of the trees will spread and the results will quickly become apparent with the first cherry blossoms in 2011.
The trees were named Hajime (Japanese for first child) , Nadez (Macedonian for Hope) and Hope.
In time these trees will perhaps symbolise greater regional cooperation and provide a sign of the progressive approach being adopted by the Macedonian Government for country sustainable development.