Customs Week 2016 begins with Church Service
(ZIZ News) — It’s Customs Week in St. Kitts and Nevis and members of Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department started the week with a church service.
Scores of customs officers, neatly dressed in the department’s four uniforms, took the front pews at the St. George’s Anglican church on Sunday morning, backed by the support of officials, including the country’s Prime Minister, Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris; and Acting Police Commissioner, Stafford Liburd.
The department contributed to the service via the printing of the booklet and with officers reading passages of scripture.
While delivering the official address for Customs Week, Dr. Harris reminded of the department’s significant role, noting that it “continues to be ably led to effectively facilitate the cross border flow of goods and has continued to upgrade its abilities to process information and transactions in a most timely manner.”
Dr. Harris also spoke of the department’s collaborative work in areas of immigration, environment, health and security.
While speaking on the theme, “Digital Customs, Progressive Engagements”, he said the Customs and Excise Department continues to take steps to be more modernised.
“The modernisation of the department has occurred through the implementation of Automated Systems for Customs Data, ASYCUDA, which allows for real time, online, vessel, aircraft and goods manifest declarations for speeder clearance by our importers,” he explained, adding that “The department is working hard on implementing the components of the programme that allow for the management and mitigation of risks and the voluntary compliance by all traders.”
The next activity for Customs Week 2016 will be Monday’s visit to schools.