Armenia’s SRC integrates green standards into customs infrastructure and administration

Armenia’s State Revenue Committee (SRC) is incorporating environmental priorities into its tax and customs administration, including through the construction of green-certified customs and logistics centers and the modernization of border crossing infrastructure, Sose Stepanyan, Head of the SRC’s International Cooperation Department, told Armenpress during COP17 in Yerevan.

“With the support of international partners, the SRC is currently implementing a project to build customs and logistics centers in Yerevan and Syunik. This will make it possible to provide all services related to foreign economic activity under the ‘one-stop, one-window’ principle, thereby facilitating customs operations. At the same time, the centers will be built in accordance with international green building standards and will obtain LEED certification. These projects will not only improve the efficiency of customs control but also ensure environmental safety,” Stepanyan said.

She added that the next project concerns the modernization of customs infrastructure at border crossing points. Under the project, state-of-the-art technologies will be introduced at all border crossing points. The initiative, which is also being implemented with the support of international partners, includes a separate environmental and social plan aligned with environmental protection objectives.

Speaking about green construction, Stepanyan said that the foreign economic activity centers must meet certain international standards. In particular, LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system. Throughout construction, environmental criteria related to energy efficiency, the efficient use of water resources, waste disposal and the use of construction materials will be taken into account.

Referring to the “Green Customs” program, Stepanyan said it has several components and outlines an action plan that forms the basis of the customs strategy.

“The ‘green agenda’ has become an integral part of both the SRC’s tax and customs administration. The implementation of environmental programs and digitalization contribute to further strengthening the green agenda. I believe that the SRC’s fiscal, regulatory, protective and security functions must always be balanced with environmental priorities,” Stepanyan concluded.