Afghanistan corruption

Afghanistan's challenges going forward are magnified to the extent that corruption saps efficiency of development and morale of the population. Canadians are working hard to help Afghan custom agents learn best practices. Bribing officials won't come to an end overnight, but hopefully with the right kind of mentoring, in tandem with overall improvements in other aspects of business, Afghans see better fairness and transparency. An excerpt from a report in the Gazette:

Two uniformed Canadian customs officers have been in Kabul since the beginning of the year to mentor Afghan customs officers on revenue collection and drug enforcement and, crucially, to not take bribes.

More Canadian agents are likely to be coming in the near future.

The presence of the Canadians in the capital is part of a multi-pronged $2.2-million Afghan initiative by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Their aim is to professionalize the Afghan customs service by making its officers and recruits less susceptible to pressure from their friends, tribal elders and others who import or export contraband, such as opium, or try to avoid paying duty on legitimate trade.