The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program seeks to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and advanced 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 likely to transit.
The 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 controlling items on the control lists of the nonproliferation 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 helps key partners meet their international obligations and commitments including UN Security Council Resolution 1540, the multilateral export control regimes, and the Proliferation Security Initiative while advancing U.S. efforts to prevent WMD proliferation and establish a global WMD detection architecture.
The EXBS program assesses countries' strategic trade control systems and provides a variety of assistance depending on identified requirements, resource availability, and ability to absorb the assistance. The EXBS program is comprised of a wide range of nonproliferation assistance, from export licensing and legal/regulatory technical workshops to the provision of detection equipment and training for border control and enforcement agencies. The EXBS Program provides assistance in Five Core areas:
The EXBS program draws on the expertise and cooperation of a range of U.S. Government agencies and the private sector to provide legal, licensing and enforcement training, along with the necessary information systems and equipment to help partner countries develop needed capabilities. More information on our partner agencies can be found on the Interagency Coordination link.
Funding for the program comes from annual Foreign Operations Appropriations Acts. The Department obligates funds to other U.S. government agencies and contracts directly to the private sector to conduct activities that support program objectives. To help implement and coordinate program assistance, ECC obligates funds to station Program Advisors in some recipient countries as priorities dictate, typically as regular members of Embassy country teams. For more information on our Advisor Program please see our Advisor link.
The EXBS program currently is active in over 50 countries with a budget in fiscal year 2012 of nearly $61 million.
The EXBS program's comprehensive, flexible, responsive, interagency approach makes it a unique resource for addressing critical aspects of the United States' nonproliferation objectives.
