Akmalkhuja Mavlonov: Uzbekistan interested in Azerbaijan's customs digitalization experience
Akmalkhuja Mavlonov: Uzbekistan interested in Azerbaijanchr("39")s customs digitalization experience
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have established effective cooperation in the customs sector, but there remains significant potential for expanding this partnership, as stated in the article by Major General Akmalkhuja Mavlonov, Chairman of Uzbekistanchr("39")s Customs Committee, Olaylar informs.
"Relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have reached the level of a strategic partnership in recent years and continue to strengthen in the areas of political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, transport and logistics links, and regional integration," he wrote.
According to Mavlonov, new institutional mechanisms of cooperation are being formed thanks to dialogue based on mutual trust and the close friendship between the leaders of the two countries, while many joint initiatives are being translated into practical action.
"In particular, the development of transport and communication links along the East-West and Central Asia-Caucasus routes is of strategic importance for Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. This process is becoming an important factor in increasing foreign trade volumes, diversifying cargo transportation chains, and enhancing regional transit potential. From this perspective, close cooperation between the customs services of the two countries plays a special role in ensuring the efficiency and transparency of trade processes," Mavlonov wrote.
He noted that effective cooperation has been established between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in the areas of information exchange, risk management, implementation of digital technologies, and professional training of customs personnel.
"The experience of Azerbaijanchr("39")s customs service in introducing digitalization and intelligent control mechanisms is of particular importance, while the digital transformation processes being implemented in Uzbekistan create a solid foundation for mutual exchange of experience," he said.
Speaking about customs operations, Mavlonov stressed that the introduction of digital technologies has significantly reduced document processing times.
According to him, Uzbekistanchr("39")s foreign trade turnover doubled between 2020 and 2025, while customs revenue reached 76.2 trillion soums ($6.3 billion) in 2025.
He emphasized that digital solutions enabled a 40% reduction in the number of employees involved in declaration processing, while simultaneously increasing the effectiveness of control procedures and the collection of additional payments severalfold.
He also noted that the number of inspections decreased by 20%, while their effectiveness increased more than tenfold as a result of the transition to a risk-based model.
Mavlonov said that 176 digital solutions have already been introduced into the system. The launch of automated declaration processing and the "Export in Three Steps" system marked a key stage in the transition toward intelligent customs, significantly accelerating procedures and reducing the human factor.
He also emphasized that digitalization has considerably shortened customs control times at airports through the introduction of remote solutions and expanded data exchange with airlines.