Jamaica Customs Agency

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 7 Head Office: 40 Second Street, Newport West, Kingston 13 Brokerage Office: 5 First Street, Newport West, Kingston 13 Tel: (876) 923-8728 • 923-8722 • Fax: (876) 923-5077 / 8695 Email: customs@aeparnell.com • Website: www.aeparnell.com A.E. Parnell & Company Ltd. A WORLD OF SERVICES CUSTOMS W EK E VER SINCE the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global trade environment in early 2020, the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica (CBFFAJ) has been collabo- rating closely with its valued partner, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), to build and deploy agile platforms of resilience to meet the moment of our times. During the course of this unprecedented crisis, the JCA increased communications with brokers, introduced additional electronic services, and authorised a three-month extension of Customs Brokers’ licences for the 2020-21 renewal period. Above all, the JCA provided a COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response System that was modelled by the CBFFAJ membership to guide telework/telecommuting arrangements for staff and the enhanced cleaning and sanitisa- tion processes in Customs, Port and Warehouse operations. These initiatives have epitomised CBFFAJ-JCA resilience and agility in the crisis. As we come together to commemorate Customs Week and International Customs Day (January 26, 2021), we take stock of the lessons learnt from COVID-19 and commit to continuous improvement of the new guidelines and procedures to sustain the flow of goods and services in and out of Jamaica. In the last quarter of 2020, the World Trade Organization (WTO) forecast a 9.2 per cent decline in the volume of world merchandise trade for the year, cautioning that the expected rebound in 2021 will only be 7.2 per cent, and will likely remain well below pre-COVID levels. Notwithstanding, trade between nations will al- ways be a driver for economic well-being and wealth creation; and suffice it to say, customs administration and brokerage/logistics services will remain essential components of the global supply chain. Our commitment as licensed customs brokers, freight forwarders and specialists engaged in cus- toms clearance and third-party logistics is to go above and beyond to clear and move vital imports such as food and medicine in order to keep the na- tion’s shops, supermarkets and pharmacies stocked with supplies; and conversely, to play our essential role in the export trade sector. On International Customs Day, we congratulate the Jamaica Customs Agency, Commissioner Velma Ricketts Walker and all members of Team JCA for exemplary leadership and performance during a most difficult year. You can count on the CBFFAJ’s sincere partner- ship, as together, we accelerate through the crisis to greater achievements in the future. CLIVEW. COKE President, Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica CBFFAJ congratulates Team Customs M E S S A G E