Customs Department on Show in January

The Jamaica Customs Department will observe International Customs Day on January 26, as the agency begins a week of activities to mark Customs Week, from January 26 to 31.

The theme for this year’s Day is: ‘Communication: sharing information for better cooperation’.

Director of Communication at Jamaica Customs Department, Dania Beckford, told JIS News that the theme is fitting and timely for the department, which became an Executive Agency last year.

“We had to communicate a lot to our staff members and the stakeholders regarding new policies and procedures that we will be implementing, and we are going to continue communicating this year with these parties to allow for a smooth operation,” she said.

Customs Week began on Sunday, January 26, with three church services across the island – St. Ann’s Bay Baptist Church, St. James Parish Church and the Open Bible on Kingston.

On Monday, January 27, the department will host a Stakeholders’ Forum in Montego Bay at the Convention Centre, and a similar one will be held in Kingston at the Knutsford Court Hotel on Thursday, January 30.

“We will be discussing the way forward for Customs for the year. We will also hear from our stakeholders, such as the Brokers Association and the Chamber of Commerce,” Miss Beckford said.

An islandwide Stakeholders’ Appreciation Day will be hosted by the Department on Wednesday, January 29,  aimed at  showing appreciation to customers for their continued support.

Ms. Beckford said booths will be set up at the different locations islandwide, as the department seeks to inform and engage stakeholders.

For further details on the activities, persons can contact Dania Beckford at 750- 3010 or dania.beckford@jacustoms.gov.jm