The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) has thrown the weight of its support behind new Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker, saying that it stands ready to work with him to clean up what it describes as an extremely corrupt customs system.

At the same time the chamber - a grouping of businesses and professionals involved in retailing, manufacturing, distribution, food services, finance, law and other interest areas - advocated harsh penalties, including the seizure of assets, for anyone involved in corruption.

"A clear vision and commitment to cleaning up the system are urgently needed," the JCC said in a statement issued yesterday. "Those involved in corruption must be made to suffer the full extent of the law, with no exceptions. This must include the forfeiture of all assets gained through these illegal activities, as provided for by the Proceeds of Crime Act."

According to the JCC, the ineffectiveness of customs enforcement, the inadequacy of the punishment and the inability to publish names of offenders are only some of the issues that need to be addressed in fixing what it described as a "very broken system".

The group said that over the past three years it had received reports suggesting that something in the customs system had gone very wrong. "Reports of massive under-invoicing, containers smuggled off the wharves and of corrupt businesspersons, customs officers and brokers abound," the chamber said.

"Despite the JCC's many attempts to provide the Customs Department with information regarding these offences, little or nothing has happened over these past three years," the chamber said.

Walker, who took up the post of commissioner of customs at the start of this month, has met resistance, particularly from customs brokers, to his attempts to clean up the customs system.

But the JCC, in a strong endorsement of Walker, said that his integrity and commitment to change are undeniable, and called on all law-abiding business persons and Jamaicans to stand up and support his efforts to clean up the system.

"The threat of continued corruption of our import system cannot go unaddressed, as it poses a threat to the national treasury, national security and all legitimate businesses," the JCC said.

"Finance Minister Audley Shaw recently exposed the facts to the nation regarding tax compliance. The JCC agrees that tax compliance must improve and, to this end, insists that the new commissioner of customs be given the necessary resources, independence and priority to enact changes in the customs system, which will yield positive results for the nation's treasury and serve as a starting point in collecting outstanding taxes," the group said.

"This thrust to clean up customs must not only be seen as a fight to stamp out corruption, but as a first step toward lowering taxes in the near future. A simplified tax system will reduce the incentive that promotes corruption.

"The JCC stands ready to work with Commissioner Walker to end the corruption that now exists in our importation system."

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