NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 5 regulatory authorities (CBRAs). The initiative has been well received, as it has reduced transaction time and cost, no longer requiring travelling between CBRAs and Customs to facilitate processing. To date, ten (10) CBRAs have been onboarded. RETURNING RESIDENTS’ ONLINE PORTAL The JCA is cognisant of the challenges that can be presented by the varied geographical location of our clients globally, and their need to access Customs information and personnel. To this end the Agency has delivered a worthy solution in the form of our Returning Residents’ Online Portal. The Portal allows clients to register and apply for their returning residents’ entitlement, even while overseas via the Agency’s website at www.jacustoms.gov.jm. ONLINE VALUATION VERIFICATION & LIVE CHAT SERVICES The Online Valuation Verification Service is another of the JCA’s innovative solutions aimed at allowing better communication and flow of information with our clients. It allows the client to settle their valuation concerns and is facilitated through the Agency’s Live Chat Service via www.jacustoms.gov.jm. INCREASING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY THROUGH EFFECTIVE USE OF SOCIAL AND TRADITIONAL MEDIA The JCA serves not only our traditional importing and exporting community, but rather the entire nation of Jamaica. Bearing this in mind, the Agency has undertaken a number of initiatives utilising traditional media, such as our radio feature “Inside Customs”, but has scanned the current environment and recognised the need for diversification. This has resulted in increased use of social media and other online forums to reach our customers where they are. The Agency now employs the use of a YouTube Channel, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram. This is in a bid to ensure that we not only provide information through various channels, but to also enable us to hear from a wide range of voices and perspectives, so that our strategies are aligned to the various persons we serve. Our stakeholders are able to take advantage of live features on‘X’with “Talk Wid Customs” and our online podcast “Real Talk with Customs”, where the Agency addresses new and topical areas of interest to our stakeholders, such as trading under free trade agreements, Contactless Clearance, risk management and border protection. The Agency has also successfully launched and hosted multiple sessions of our “Click, Connect and Converse with Customs” ‘Triple C’ Online Public Engagement Series, leveraging technology to reach stakeholders wherever they are, allowing them the opportunity to talk with us about their concerns. The most recent forum was held in November 2023, which addressed JCA’s Contactless Clearance Process, and the Customs Mobile App, both of which are new initiatives of the Agency. ASSESSING IMPACT, ADJUSTING STRATEGIES & COLLABORATING WITH PURPOSE As a part of our strategy, and as a key proponent of our nation’s development and protection, the JCA continuously scans our environment to assess the impact our processes and initiatives are having on our desired outcomes and our stakeholders. It also allows the Agency to adopt a flexible approach and pivot as necessary, adjusting our strategies to meet our objectives of trade facilitation, protection of our borders and society and collection of revenue due. In this regard, the Agency has long-standing initiatives that continue to work effectively and has also adopted new ones to suit the emerging needs of the agency and our stakeholders. QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE One of the strategies used by the Agency to effectively enhance our relationship with the private sector and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is the hosting of a monthly Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) meeting. The committee is comprised of representatives from the private sector, including customs brokers, warehouse operators, shipping agents and various associations, trade related MDAs and the JCA. It provides an opportunity for open dialogue not only between the committee members and Customs but also among themselves. It serves to improve transparency and accountability and enhances the quality of service delivered to stakeholders. CUSTOMS BUSINESS INTERACTION (CBI) The CBI is one of the Agency’s newest initiatives aimed at strengthening business relations between the JCA and commercial/ industrial stakeholders. The initiative is spearheaded by the office of the Chief Executive Officer and facilitates the interaction of the CEO and her team with executives of the business community through face-to-face meetings and site visits. This allows the Commissioner to see the business’ operations firsthand, discuss their operations and to impart relevant information about Customs. This innovative initiative has been warmly received by the business community who have expressed their appreciation and cited huge improvements in their interactions with the Agency. Some of the companies which have benefited from the CBI include: Coldfield Manufacturing Company Limited in Kingston, Walkerswood Jerk Facility in St Ann, and Rainforest Seafood in Montego Bay, who also had high praises for the Agency’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme. JCA STAKEHOLDER AWARDS CEREMONY The JCA has been the recipient of many awards from their various stakeholders, in acknowledgement of the quality service they have received, however in a reversal of roles in May 2023, the Agency hosted our inaugural Stakeholder Appreciation Awards Ceremony. The ceremony celebrated the relationships between the JCA and our various stakeholders and gave recognition PLEASE SEE PARTNERS, 6 INT’L CUSTOMS DAY & CUSTOMS WEEK 2024 FEATURE
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