Implementation of Enterprise Systems Based on Artificial Intelligence in Customs Administrations across the Country/Applied Research Conducted at UT Acknowledged for Contributions in Developing Local Systems in Customs Administrations

In a letter of appreciation addressed to Dr. Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi, Dr. Mehdi  Mirasharfi, Director-General of Customs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, acknowledged the role of UT's young scholars and researchers in designing and implementing enterprise systems based on artificial intelligence in customs administrations across the country.

A section of the letter reads as follows:

The efficient cooperation between the University of Tehran and the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration based on a framework of economic jihad has been going on for almost a decade. Many practical studies and works of research conducted at the University of Tehran were consulted to design enterprise systems based on artificial intelligence, all of which are now implemented in customs administrations all over the country.

The current study gains all the more significance due to the fact that the local systems in Iran, which are developed by researchers and young university professors, have now replaced traditional methods and the ASYCUDA system, which was previously used in several customs administrations for import and export procedures. The system was developed by UNCTAD with the aim of integrating developing countries into the global economy.

Factors such as optimal utilization of the scientific resources at the University of Tehran, equipping economic border guards with modern technologies through research, development and establishment of a comprehensive system, a single cross-border trade window along with various integrated subsystems in all procedures, cooperation between institutions to use advanced control equipment, as well as interaction between all stakeholders and neighbouring organizations to receive electronic data pertaining to cross-border trades, have all led to the development of the largest foreign trade database in the country. Currently, more than 70% of economic information exchange in trades is done by customs administrations, and this has provided the ground for effective confrontation with issues such as sanctions and smuggling.

In addition to acknowledging the significance of the research performed at the University of Tehran and the University's valuable collaborations, my sincere thanks shall go to the esteemed President of the University of Tehran, the Vice Chancellor for Research, the Director-General of Applied Research, and especially to the young, industrious, and courageous professors and researchers affiliated with the University who assisted the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration with their persistent and compassionate efforts.