The project “Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) - A Path towards the European Business Environment!”, developed by students of TSU’s vocational programme “Customs Affairs” (Kutaisi), was successfully implemented.

The project, which won the student project competition organised by the TSU Vocational Education Centre, provided students with another opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice and gain first-hand insight into a real customs working environment.

The project was implemented in two stages. During the first stage, at the Centre in Kutaisi, students deepened their knowledge of AEO status and the procedures for obtaining it with the support of customs officers and specialists in the field. During the second stage, the students visited Batumi. At the Batumi Customs Clearance Zone and the Sarpi Customs Checkpoint, they gained first-hand insight into the practical aspects of customs operations related to AEOs and the specifics of customs procedures in a real working environment. They also learned about the particularities of working as a customs officer at the Customs Clearance Zone and familiarised themselves with all customs formalities carried out at the Sarpi Customs Checkpoint, from document processing to physical control procedures.

Together with customs specialists, the students also discussed real-life cases involving the detection of undeclared and smuggled goods.

According to Lasha Chakvetadze, Head of the Vocational Programme “Customs Affairs,” the student project clearly demonstrates how authentic, practice-based learning experiences can be created for students, preparing them for the demands of the modern labour market and international trade standards. He also noted that the student project, funded by the TSU Vocational Education Centre, was implemented with the support of the Customs Department of the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia.

The student project was developed by Gocha Gabunia, a student of the vocational programme “Customs Affairs.”