RC-West, ABP develops plan for border security and collection of customs duties

HERAT, Afghanistan (Apr. 15) – The Italian “Sassari” brigade - that will conclude its deployment in Regional Command West April 20 with the relief in place with the Italian “Taurinense” brigade – has reserved great attention for development of the security on the Afghan borders.RC-West, under the command of Brig. Gen. Alessandro Veltri, has undertaken numerous initiatives to better understand the main problems of the sector.

Encouraging the development of infrastructure and professional preparation of Afghan components operating on its borders with Iran and Turkmenistan was among RC-West’s goals. Another was to improve customs areas of Herat province, the most important in the Country, for customs revenue.

Together Afghan units, the Italian-led ISAF Command worked on the construction of new facilities and the improvement of existing ones. Successful projects include new housing and classrooms for Non-Commissioned Officers of Afghan Border Police, built at the Herat headquarters of the ABP or the provision of economic assistance for the improvement of the security level of the customs area of Herat. Additionally, RC-West has been working on a feasibility study to adapt the Herat airport at operative and security standards provided for an international hub.

Great attention was paid to the study of issues related to border security and the collection of customs dues, with particular regard to the border with Iran.

In the last six-month period, Italian Task Force "Grifo," of the “Guardia di Finanza”, studied Afghan security and customs procedures.

The “Guardia di Finanza” specialists have held eight advanced training courses in the field of customs police for ABP officials and Customs Police from the Herat province. Since the program began, RC-West personnel have trained more than 100 local agents.

The courses held by the Guardia di Finanza contributed actively to improve the technical qualifications of about half of all agents of the Afghan Border Police and Customs Police operating in the province of Herat.

During his tenure, Veltri, “Sassari” brigade and RC-West Commander, has repeatedly stressed as border control as a determinant for the security of Afghanistan and the collection of customs dues is an irreplaceable element for economic development in a country still not able to export more than it imports.