The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program seeks to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and destabilizing accumulations and irresponsible transfers of conventional weapons by helping to build effective national strategic trade control systems in countries that possess, produce, or supply strategic items, as well as in countries through which such items are most likely to transit.
The EXBS Program is designed to help countries develop and improve their strategic trade and related border control systems. In developing and improving these systems, we work to ensure conformity with international standards for regulating trade in items on the control lists of the multilateral export control regimes, to prevent the authorization of transfers to end-uses and end-users of proliferation concern, and to detect and interdict illicit transfers at the border. In building countries’ capacity in this critical area, the EXBS Program advances U.S. efforts to establish a global WMD detection architecture and helps key partners meet their obligations and commitments pursuant to important U.S. and international initiatives, including UN Security Council Resolution 1540, the Proliferation Security Initiative, the National Security Strategy and adherence to the guidelines of multilateral export control regimes.
The EXBS Program works with partner governments to identify regulatory and institutional gaps and to develop resource requirements. The EXBS Program provides a wide range of technical assistance, from executive exchanges to training workshops to the provision of detection equipment and specialized training for border control and enforcement agencies. The EXBS Program provides assistance in Five Core areas:
- Laws and Regulations
- Licensing
- Enforcement
- Government-Industry Cooperation
- Interagency and International Cooperation and Coordination
The EXBS Program draws on the expertise and cooperation of a range of U.S. Government agencies, the private sector, and U.S. and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide the legal, licensing and enforcement training, along with the necessary information systems and equipment, to put the relevant capabilities into the hands of willing governments. More information on our partner agencies can be found on the Interagency Coordination link.
EXBS in Montenegro provides practical assistance tailored to the country’s needs in cooperation with our partner institutions of the host country, operating in the areas of border and law enforcement, import/export licensing, customs, and other related fields.
The EXBS program has provided over $5M in assistance with training and equipment through 2016, to support strengthening Montenegro’s border security, export controls and non-proliferation.
For further info on the EXBS please visit https://www.state.gov/export-control-and-related-border-security-program/
