NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026 14 INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY/CUSTOMS WEEK FEATURE | THE SUNDAY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 1, 2026 operation. The agency is thus able to reap the benefits of enhanced efficiency, cost reduction and more effective risk management across borders. CBM also plays a critical role in disaster preparedness and management. The COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa, demonstrated the need for a proactive, coordinated response in disaster relief efforts. Customs is essential, as the transit of relief goods and humanitarian personnel need to be expedited to mitigate the effects of the disaster, including the resultant social and economic fallout. As the foremost border protection agency, the JCA serves as a key member of the National Disaster Risk Management Council, working along with the Office of Disaster & Preparedness Management (ODPEM) and other BRAs to get the best possible outcomes in the shortest time. Anti-corruption Strategy The JCA is committed to fostering a culture of trust and transparency, with a strong focus on enhancing the professionalism of its staff. At the heart of our operations lies an unwavering commitment to high ethical standards, a principle that serves as the foundation of our transformation into a modern, world-class Customs administration. The agency is driven by its motto, “Country Above Self” and collective core values known as “CAPIT” (Customer-focused, Accountability, Professionalism, Integrity, and Transparency), that provides guidance to every officer’s interaction and decision-making process. Recognising that poor ethical standards and corruption, or even the perception of corruption can undermine any Customs administration, the JCA has implemented a multi-pronged Anti-corruption Strategy, designed to curb corruption, while enhancing integrity, transparency, revenue collection and border security. The Agency has also institutionalised integrity through the adoption of the tenets of the World Customs Organisation’s (WCO) Revised Arusha Declaration (RAD), which is the global standard for good governance in Customs. Our commitment to these international ethics is formalised through the JCA’s robust Anti-Corruption thrust, which includes building the awareness of both internal and external stakeholders, the creation and maintenance of the JCA’s Integrity Manual, the establishment of a dedicated Anti-corruption and Integrity Section, as well as regular Anti-corruption Panel Discussions. Other initiatives that support the Agency’s Anti-corruption Strategy include: whistle-blower protections, such as, secure, anonymous reporting channels for reporting unethical behaviour, including via the hotline number 1-800-CORRUPT(1-800-267-7878); the Customer Relationship Feedback Form on the JCA’s website or direct contact via email or telephone to the Internal Affairs Division; mandatory ethics and integrity training modules;
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