A team of United States customs officials are currently in the island assisting Kingston businesses to acquire anti-smuggling certification.

Jean Smith, project co-ordinator at the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) ,said the approximately five customs officers will this week begin the process of BASC international certification.

“They are working with security firms providing processes by which they can be certified as auditors. They are also touring manufacturing plants with exporters, who want to be BASC certified,” Smith explained.

This move, which was initiated by the local Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition (BASC) chapter, is geared at improving the island’s export trade and the reputation of its ports, by reducing the loop-holes used by drug traffickers and commercial drug smugglers. It is also aimed at reducing other types of customs fraud.

“We are attempting to secure the supply chain of goods leaving and entering Jamaica,” explained Eric Kolberg, president of the BASC, Costa Rica.

“This is a business-led programme. We will visit different companies and security firms throughout the week,” Kolberg said.

The officers are expected to undertake site visits at Kingston Wharves Ltd, Jamaica Broilers Ltd, Red Stripe Ltd, Wray & Nephew Ltd, and consult with Security Administrator Ltd.

Meanwhile, Kolberg said this week’s visit would be the first in a series by US customs, who “will come down about four to five times a year” on similar missions.

Jaime Ramsay, programme manager at the US Customs, stressed, however, that the officers are only advisors and do not have the power of arrest.

“We are not here to make arrests, rather to foster relationships to develop technical consultation while sharing ideas. It is the genesis of a relationship between the US customs, the JEA, and the private sector organisation of Jamaica,” he said.

More than a year ago, the local private sector approached the US Government for help in establishing a BASC chapter in Jamaica. Specifically, the initiative was spearheaded by Beverley Lopez, JEA president; Pauline Gray, of the Shipping Association of Jamaica; Veniece Pottinger & Pat Francis, of Jampro; the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce; Port Authority officials, and other government officers.

On Monday, Smith said that the local branch was on the verge of being fully endorsed by BASC international, as it recently met the legal specifications for enlistment.

“We have almost completed all the requirements for start-up of the local chapter, the next step is for Kolberg to go back to Costa Rica and send a recommendation to the World BASC organisiaton for approval, and based on his feedback, it is only a formality,” said Smith.