International Customs Day & Week 2022

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022 15 CUSTOMS WEEK T HE JAMAICA Customs Agency’s (JCA) journey to becoming a model customs administration, certified to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS), continues. The journey has been one marked with new knowledge, new developments, coordinated efforts with internal and external stakeholders, policy and procedural reviews, policy adjustments, proce- dural revisions, consultations and the inevitable audits, both internal and external. Striving to realise the require- ments of this QMS in a dynamic customs environment, like the JCA, has not been void of challenges. However, with the passion and com- mitment of the management and staff, the JCA has made great strides. Aligning planning, execution and performance management as well as policies, processes, procedures, and decision-making strategies with the principles and tenets of the QMS, required the JCA taking a criti- cal introspective view of its business models, practices andmodalities as well as expose itself to constructive reviews and feedback; all aimed at manifestly achievingmaximum cus- tomer satisfaction. This effort has often rendered necessary the col- laboration of cross-functional teams to improve existing frameworks to satisfy the requirements of the QMS. It has been a journey of continu- ous learning and growth for the JCA; one that demanded improvement The JCA’s quality management journey continues … Customs Caring From the Heart – Tablet Fundraising Drive The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) recognises the need to be socially responsible. In this regard, the JCA has sought to meet the needs of our students who are in need, by embarking on a tablet fund-raising drive during this academic year. The monies and tablets were donated by JCA staff (with the support of other donors). The financial donation toward the purchase, was just over J$1.2M. Here, Tameka Goulbourne, Chair of the agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, greets students at DenhamTown Primary and Infant school during the tablet hand-over exercise, in September 2021. The agency makes strides in achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification PLEASE SEE QUALITY , 17