International Customs Day & Week 2022

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022 19 CUSTOMS WEEK certificate or any other approval for the import or export of goods. JSWIFT will therefore include the primary services for more than 20 agencies involved in the issu- ance of such approvals for trade. The ongoing engagements of the JSWIFT project now encompasses various activities towards the provi- sion of primary services for Border Regulatory Agencies (BRAs) which are among the eight Phase 1 agen- cies scheduled to be onboarded during the 2021/2022 financial year. The current services completed now includes: 1. Trade Board Limited a. All services for obtaining an Import/Export Permit b. Electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO) c. Dealership Certification and Licensing services 2. MOA – Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection Branch a. Plant & Plant Related Products Import Permit Service b. Pest Risk Analysis Services c. ePhytosanitary Certificate for exports (pilot to commence) d. Fumigation Certificate for ex- ports (Pilot to commence) 3. Jamaica Customs Agency a. Scrap Metal Exports 4. Jamaica Agr icul tural Commodities and Regulatory Authority – JACRA a. Agriculture Commodity Import Permit Release 5. MOH – Pesticide Control Authority a. Import Permit Service (pilot to commence) The engagements under way also includes the MOA – Veterinary Services Division (VSD) for the ex- port of aquatics and non-fishery products, MOH – Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs Division (PRAD) Import Permit Services and the Hazardous Substance and Regulatory Affairs Divisions (HSRA) Import/Export Licensing and Permit Services. The benefits in establish- ing a single portal have been far reaching to both the traders and the MDAs, given the ease of access to online services, fully automated workflows and access to the elec- tronic approval for clearance of cargo at the respective ports and public bonded facilities. It is also important to note the JCA has adopted, as a guide, the World Customs Organization (WCO) Digital Customs Maturity Model as a guide to utilising a phased ap- proach in ICT implementation. The strategic initiatives and priorities are also based on national priorities, policy considerations and resource availability with a view to imple- menting a broad range of business programmes. The JCA will continue with its projects, programmes and initi- atives towards becoming a fully digital Customs agency. Therefore, the support of all stakeholders is imperative in ensuring that this is successfully achieved. Contributed by JSWIFT/Information Services Division, JCA Here, Vice Chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, Earl Stewart, makes the hand-over to students at Farm Primary School, Montego Bay, St James, in September.