KINGSTON, Jamaica — Commissioner of Customs and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), Velma Ricketts Walker, is encouraging stakeholders to unite around trust and integrity.

Delivering opening remarks at the JCA’s Anti-Corruption and Integrity panel discussion, held on September 18 at the AC Marriott Hotel, the CEO emphasised that integrity and trust are not abstract ideals, but critical pillars of Jamaica’s trade, economy, and national reputation.

The panel discussion was held under the theme: ‘Building Trust, Strengthening Integrity: A Shared Responsibility’.

Using the story of a small Kingston-based exporter, Jamrock Exports,  Ricketts Walker illustrated how every successful shipment, from paperwork to port, relies on a web of trust among customs officers, customs brokers, port operators, shipping agents, law enforcement agencies, and government.

“In the world of trade and commerce, trust is the currency. Integrity is the foundation on which competitiveness is built. Without it, businesses like Jamrock Exports face struggles. With it, Jamaica thrives,” she emphasised.

Ricketts Walker acknowledged that Jamaica, like many nations, faces challenges, including corruption risks, smuggling, cyber threats, and counterfeit goods that threaten the integrity of trade. She stressed that when trust is reinforced across sectors, Jamaica can be a regional leader in safe, fair, and open commerce.

Central to the commissioner’s message were the five core values of the JCA, which she likened to the pillars of a strong bridge that carries cargo as well as Jamaica’s future.

These are: Customer Focus – Serving traders, travellers, and partners with purpose; Accountability – Taking responsibility for decisions and actions; Professionalism – Upholding competence, fairness, and respect; Integrity – Resisting corruption and maintaining ethical standards; and Transparency – Ensuring visibility in operations and decision-making.

“Without integrity, the bridge shakes. Without transparency, it dims. Customs alone cannot hold it up. This is not just JCA’s job—it is all of ours,” Ricketts Walker said.

The commissioner called on stakeholders to recognise that trust and integrity are only real, when they are shared and outlined specific responsibilities for key players.

She indicated that for the private sector, competitiveness must be rooted in ethics and fairness and that in law enforcement, credibility depends on impartiality and justice.

Ricketts Walker also highlighted that the legacy of Government officials is built on transparency and people-centred policies and that customs officers are daily guardians of Jamaica’s borders and trust.

She pointed out that trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and a lifetime to repair.

“When trust is built and integrity is practised, Jamaica becomes a shining example in the region, a country where trade is safer, fairer and more open,” she continued.

– JIS