The Shipping Association of Jamaica is pleased to join the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) in observing Customs Week 2016 under the theme “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement.”

Border agencies are increasingly embracing digitalisation to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency. In light of this, the theme chosen for the observance of this year’s celebration of International Customs Day could not be more appropriate for us here in Jamaica as we enter a new era of trade facilitation driven by technological transformation of the JCA and the way it interacts with us in the shipping and logistics sector.

As a key border agency the JCA is expected to play a critical role in strengthening trade facilitation in Jamaica, ensuring appropriate controls to suppress contraband smuggling and trade fraud, improving collection of government revenue and making a major contribution to enhancing national competitiveness.

The responsibilities of our Customs administration must continue to evolve as the agency undergoes an immense transformative process toadopt internationally accepted norms, standards and best practices for the import, export, transit and trans-shipment of goods. There can be no resting on our laurels in this regard if Jamaica is to meet its objectives of becoming a key player in the global logistics chain and providing investors at home and abroad with opportunities for value-added industries on our shores.

Digital technologies have the ability to positively impact and revolutionise the Customs landscape in this manner and as such we welcome the JCA’s efforts to implement Information Communication Technology solutionsin its business processes. Indeed, progress has been made in some important areas such as the introduction of the paperless Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) and the Port Community System.

As the country strives to harmonise its logistics and administrative systems while at the same time strengthening trade security policy and practices, we must also ensure that the important role that Customs plays in revenue collection does not overshadow the equally strategic objective of facilitating global trade across our borders.

We would also urge that the administration looks at establishing key performance indicators by which our march toward greater trade facilitation may be measured and reported.

As we celebrate another week of Customs-focused activities, we look forward to continued engagement between the JCA and the shipping and logistics sector. We pledge to continue to provide our insights, guidance and support as we work towards our mutual goal of enhanced trade and economic advancement of our beloved country.

Kim Clarke

President – The Shipping

Association of Jamaica