The Jamaica Customs Agency has promised greater accountability in the execution of its roles in trade facilitation and border protection. Senior executives of the agency, led by Commissioner of Customs Major Richard Reese, were speaking at the Lunch and Learn Forum hosted by the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) at its offices on Thursday, October 31.
The team shared the organisation’s comprehensive plans for improving its quality of service delivery with shipping industry stakeholders. They also discussed other changes which they say are designed to enhance the agency’s ability to facilitate trade and intercept illicit imports and exports at Jamaica’s ports.
The Jamaica Customs’ designation as an executive agency came into effect on April 2, and acting collector of customs, Cebert Mitchell, noted that, under its new mandate, there “will be greater accountability which is important to shipping”. Mitchell went on to outline the various components which will become part of a new customer-oriented model and people-centric approach to Jamaica Customs’ activities. These include a new e-governance strategy, which will do away with much of the physical examination verification processes under the current paper-based system. The agency will also seek greater engagement with the business community, particularly those in the transportation sector; and deepen inter-agency ties to effectively and meet the needs of stakeholders.
Mitchell reiterated his and the agency’s commitment to “embracing change” in its business processes and organisational culture to achieve its major objectives of trade facilitation, revenue protection and border protection. He stressed the need for greater attention to be given to securing benefits for persons who comply with the rules set out in the Customs Act.
Mitchell said that such an approach will serve to deter persons from seeking to get around the process and thus significantly reduce levels of corruption. It is expected that the convenience and reliability of electronic transactions, and the centralisation of clearance activities will encourage voluntary compliance by users of the system and remove and reduce the impediments, which he conceded, may be attributed to the inefficiencies entrenched in the old system.
Meeting demands
Mitchell also outlined the planned restructuring, retooling and retraining of the Jamaica Customs’ workforce to ensure that its team possesses the necessary competencies to meet the demands of a transformed entity, and exhibits a clear willingness to serve the public. He noted that the system would be, “automatically removing persons who are neither equipped nor willing, and those who are undesirable for its proper functioning.”
Mitchell drew thunderous applause with his acknowledgement that within the existing framework, Jamaica Customs often puts “stresses” on its client base. However, as an executive agency, he insisted that a balance will be struck and the organisation will move away from a focus on detecting non-compliance and “defending revenue”. In speaking to the timelines for the introduction of the new electronic systems and implementation of new operational and human resource policies including a code of conduct, Major Reese stated that specific dates could not be provided at this time as much of the improvements would require budgetary support and final approval by the country’s policymakers.
The October 31 event was sponsored by CMA CGM Jamaica Ltd, the local subsidiary of the world’s third-largest shipping company. CMA CGM Jamaica offers regular service between Kingston, the Caribbean, the United States and Europe as well as its dedicated express Brasex cargo service to Brazil. CMA CGM recently launched its integrated business management solution eBusiness platform, which covers the transportation cycle from pre-booking to shipment follow-up including final delivery.