NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2025 19 INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY/CUSTOMS WEEK FEATURE JAMAICA CUSTOMS BRINGS SERVICES TO COMMUNITIES WITH ‘CUSTOMS MEETS THE COMMUNITY’ INITIATIVE Another highlight of 2024 for the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) was the successful rollout of its flagship outreach program, ‘Customs Meets the Community.’This initiative, held in the parish of Kingston and St. Andrew, brought the agency services directly to the people, fostering stronger connections and increasing public awareness about Customs operations. The event provided residents with a unique opportunity to engage with Customs officers, gain insights into import and export procedures, and access vital information about the agency role in trade facilitation and border security. Key services, including tariff consultations and guidance on clearing shipments, were offered on-site, making the agency services more accessible to the community. Commissioner of Customs, Velma Ricketts Walker, hailed the initiative as a pivotal step in strengthening the agency’s relationship with the public. “Customs Meets the Community is about breaking down barriers and building trust. We are here to serve, and this initiative ensures that our services are more accessible and our operations more transparent,” she stated. Information Officer, Alicia Bennett engages with a stakeholder in Half-Way Tree during the final leg of the ‘Customs Meets the Community’ initiative. The outreach effort aims to educate the public on Customs procedures and strengthen customer engagement and relations. CEO & Commissioner of Customs, Dr. Velma Ricketts Walker (second from left), celebrates excellence with Jamaica Customs’ top employees for 2023/2024 fiscal year – Daemion Rose, Janneice Baker, and Calvin Forbes – at the Agency’s Staff Awards ceremony held at the AC Hotel in Kingston in June 2024. 3 4 JANNEICE, DAEMION, AND CALVIN RECOGNISED AS TOP EMPLOYEES AT JCA STAFF AWARDS A shining moment of 2024 for the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) was the recognition of three outstanding team members: Janneice Baker, Daemion Rose, and Calvin Forbes at the JCA Staff Awards. These exceptional individuals were celebrated as the agency’s top employees for their remarkable contributions, dedication, and commitment to excellence.
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