International Customs Day & Week 2022

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022 10 Messages A S WE observe International Customs Day, under the theme, ‘Scaling Up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem’, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) commends the tremendous work the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has insti- tuted to enable economic envi- ronments that facilitate business growth and opportunities. As the voice of business, we endorse this new culture of digital transforma- tion the JCA wishes to embark on. The dawn of the COVID-19 pan- demic empowered organisations to identify innovative ways to con- duct business in a safe and efficient manner. The JCA responded to this call for increased operational effi- ciency with the birth of improved online features to include Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) and the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA). These ensured the best delivery of services to its extensive customer base. As the JCA contin- ues to play its part to steady the waters of protecting Jamaica’s borders against illicit imports, eq- uitable collection of revenue and the facilitation of trade, the JCC en- courages other public and private stakeholders to join forces as we aim to foster more efficient services and infrastructure. Special recognition must be given to JCA Commissioner Velma Ricketts Walker, who has dedicated much of her career to customs ad- ministration, trade facilitation, risk analysis, strategic planning, inter- national trade, security, compliance and enforcement. Commissioner Ricketts Walker has been a fervent contributor to the development and modernisation of customs administration locally, regionally and internationally with constant dedication to improving Jamaica’s image in the ease of doing busi- ness, border protection, port logis- tics and competitive performance. Indubitably, the work of the JCA to shift its business community into the digital space by building a sym- biotic environment between data culture and the people they serve will be instrumental in this process. The partnership between the JCC and the JCA has grown significantly over the years as we have identified ways to work together to foster an environment conducive to the con- duct of trade, while fostering inte- gration in the global economy. We look forward to working steadfastly to achieving goals that will allow the JCA and the JCC to serve the world better. IAN NEITA President Jamaica Chamber of Commerce We look forward to working steadfastly to achieving goals towards serving the world better AS WE entered 2022, still bedevilled by the vicissitudes of the COVID pandemic, Britain tightened customs formalities at its borders with the rest of Europe, as the full impact of Brexit takes effect, and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) implemented its quinquennial update of the Harmonized Commodity Descr iption and Coding System. This list of interna- tionalproductcodes for global trade, alsoknown as the ‘Harmonised System (HS)’, covers 5,300 commodity groups used by more than 200 countries to categorise trade products, set and collect trade tariffs, guide tax policy, establish rules of origin, and collect data on virtually every aspectofglobal trade, includingquotas, pric- ing, and transport statistics. For the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica (CBFFAJ), these remarkable developments give us pause to consider the immense impact of digital transformation on the local customs administration and clear- ance processes. It is imperative for all play- ers in the sector to scale up and to truly embrace a data culture that delivers and sustains a robust data ecosystem, in keeping with the theme of this year’s ob- servations by the global customs community. We hold the view, though, that notwithstand- ing the proven efficiencies of customs digitisation, our clients rely heavily on the professional experience, instincts and guidance of the customs broker, and every effort must be made to preserve and progress this important relationship dynamic for greater trade and industry. Indeed, as theWorldTrade Organisation predicts a 4.7 per cent rise inglobal trade in 2022, albeit belowpre-pandemic trends, our clients are dependingonus to comprehen- sively study the newset of HS codes, and to assist themtomake the necessary updates to label their products correctly for export, as well as to avoid costly misclassifications in import shipments. We will acquit ourselves well in this re- gard, while providing superior value to our primary partner, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), as it pursues its revenue targets for the national treasury. On International Customs Day, we congratulate the JCA for its significant investments in technology over the years to build out a functional customs admin- istration system that continues to improve in service to importers, exporters and the customs brokers. As we hope for the best in this NewYear, we commendCommissioner VelmaRicketts Walker andher teamfor the exemplary lead- ershipandperformanceduring another dif- ficult year in2021. TheCBFFAJ looks forward to deepening collaborations as we work through the crisis to achieve our mutually shared vision of success. CLIVEW. COKE President Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica We congratulate the JCA for its significant investments in technology System for Customs Data (ASYCUDAWorld) – an inte- grated customs management system for international trade and transport operations in a modern auto- mated environment. ASYCUDAWorld assists traders in obtaining Customs clearance on all imports, at all Jamaican ports of entry, through an electronic goods declaration (e-SAD). These developments, we believe, provide continued ease of doing business, which is a critical component in attaining Jamaica’s economic development. We also commend Jamaica Customs for introducing convenient online payment services to serve import- ers, customs brokers and cargo agents, in addition to a range of online forms that are accessible on their website and designed for transacting business. These innovations also facilitate more efficient data collection. We recognise that Jamaica Customs is evolving into a modern, digital, data-based government agency that delivers exceptional customer service, while up- holding high standards that protect our society and ensure compliance. The PSOJ remains a committed partner in this process. We wish the CEO/Commissioner of Customs, Velma Ricketts Walker, her staff and customers all the best on International Customs Day. KEITH DUNCAN, CD President The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica DIGITAL CONTINUED FROM 9 CUSTOMS WEEK