Luxembourg, February 17, 2014 – A consortium led by INTRASOFT International has been awarded a framework contract of 83 million EUR value by the European Commission - Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD).  The contract (CUST-DEV3) represents one of the most important contracts within the European Commission, as it concerns the implementation of the new EU Customs policy (Union Customs Code) and the development of the respective customs-related software applications for the next 8 years, highlighting once more INTRASOFT's International prominent position as a leading provider of IT services for Tax and Customs.

 DG TAXUD provides a wide portfolio of Trans-European IT Systems and Services to Member States, businesses and citizens, as well as to the Commission internal staff that are critical for the sustainability of EU policies and objectives in the field of customs and taxation. In order to meet the practical aspects of changing business practices, in late 2013, the European Union adopted the Union Customs Code (UCC) to replace the current Community Customs Code as the new EU framework legislation in the area of customs which the 28 EU Member States must apply. UCC is intended to improve and simplify customs legislation and procedures, further harmonize decision-making procedures and facilitate businesses and customs officials throughout the EU, by transitioning to a paperless/electronic customs environment, thus reducing the costs while at the same time improving the effectiveness of customs controls.

 INTRASOFT International, with extensive experience in this area at both the National and EU level, will take a leading role in providing its software expertise to fulfill DG TAXUD's vision for an electronic customs environment. More specifically, the company will provide the following services: technical specifications, development, maintenance and support of Customs IT Systems under DG TAXUD's management. INTRASOFT's International participation is estimated at 31.5 million EUR of the total budget. The consortium also includes ARHS Developments SA and Sword Group S.E. The project has an initial 5-year duration, but can be renewed up to 3 times, each time for a period of 12 months, with a maximum duration of 8 years.

 Mr. Athanasios Kotsis, CEO of INTRASOFT International commented: “We are very proud to be an integral part of DG TAXUD's milestone project to modernize the European customs legislation and shift to a fully electronic customs environment by the end of 2020. This latest award adds to the long list of projects that showcase our ability to successfully execute complex large-scale projects in taxation and customs and the trust of national governments worldwide in our people and the high quality services we provide. So far, in the business domain of ​​Public Finance, we have implemented or are currently implementing complex IT systems for five different national governments as well as for DG TAXUD, while in Customs we have implemented 42 projects in more than 20 countries worldwide.”

###

 About the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD)

DG TAXUD's mission is to develop and manage the Customs Union, a foundation of the European Union, and to develop and implement tax policy across the EU for the benefit of citizens, businesses and the Member States. DG TAXUD works to provide solutions in the tax and customs fields to Member States and economic operators, thus enabling them to respond to current economic, social and environmental challenges, both at European and international level. To achieve its mission, DG TAXUD prepares legislative and non-legislative strategic initiatives for adoption by the European Commission as well as working with Member States on improved co-operation and information sharing. To this end, DG TAXUD and the administrations of the Member States and associated countries have developed and operated a portfolio of IT systems in support of the fiscal and customs policies of the European Union. There are a total of more than 60 central IT systems and over 20 distributed trans-European systems (TES) that have been implemented; some of these systems are centralised and operated by DG TAXUD, others use a fully-distributed architecture and their components are developed and operated by the National Administrations of the Member States and of the associated countries (Candidate Countries/Third Countries). These systems are critical for the functioning of the internal market in fiscal and customs matters.

 About the Union Customs Code (UCC)

On October 9, 2013, the European Union adopted the Union Customs Code (UCC), which went into effect on November 1, 2013 following its endorsement by the European Parliament on September 20, 2013. On June 1, 2016, it will replace the current Community Customs Code 2 as the new EU framework legislation in the area of customs which the 28 EU Member States must apply. The UCC is intended to improve and simplify customs legislation and procedures, further harmonize decision-making procedures and facilitate businesses and customs officials throughout the EU. It is expected that the UCC changes will be implemented in phases between 1 May 2016 and 31 December 2020.

  About INTRASOFT International

INTRASOFT International is a leading European IT Solutions and Services Group with strong international presence, offering innovative and added-value solutions of the highest quality to a wide range of international and national public and private organisations. The company employs more than 1,600 highly-skilled professionals, representing over 20 different nationalities and mastering more than 18 languages. With headquarters in Luxembourg, INTRASOFT International operates through its operational branches, subsidiaries and offices in 17 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco, Romania, Palestine, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, UK, UAE, USA and Yemen. More than 500 organizations in over 70 countries worldwide (Institutions and Agencies of the European Union, National Government Organizations, Public Agencies, Financial Institutions, Telecommunication Organizations, and Private Enterprises) have chosen the company's services and solutions to fulfil their business needs. INTRASOFT International is a subsidiary of the ASE-listed INTRACOM Holdings, one of the largest multinational technology groups inSE Europe, with more than 35 years of experience.

For more information, please visit: www.intrasoft-intl.com

 Information for Press only

Kalliopi Chioti, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

INTRASOFT International

Tel. +30 210 6679076, E-mail: Kalliopi.Chioti@intrasoft-intl.com