Customs info-tech systems to get $200m upgrade

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

IN A bid to improve efficiency and better information sharing between state agencies, the Jamaica Customs Department will spend J$200 million this year to upgrade its information technology systems.

Speaking at the Jamaica Customs Department symposium in celebration of Customs Week at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, the new customs commissioner, Devon Rowe, outlined that Information Communication Technology (ICT) will be a focal area in which enhancements will be done in a effort to become a fully integrated organisation with internationally accepted programmes.

"This year, the Jamaica Customs will be spending roughly J$200 million to improve its ICT infrastructure," Rowe said as he sought to note the significance of this investment.

"We recognise that greater synergy between government systems is necessary, and that within itself leads to the development of a single window (where business can be done between state agencies), which we hope to interface with the port community and the other parts of government so that data (can) be transferred seamlessly," he continued.

This effort will be funded by a US$65-million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. According to Rowe, approximately US$22 million of that loan is dedicated for use by the Customs Department.

Modernisation efforts

"The overall loan is being used for the fiscal modernisation project to improve IT systems in Customs, Tax Administration of Jamaica, and the Accountant General's Department. We hope to ensure that those persons who are trying to beat the system will be brought into the formal system, and we want to ensure that all the obstacles that contribute to an inefficient system that lacks integrity will be closed," the customs commissioner revealed.

Operating under the theme 'Borders Divide, Customs Connect', the Jamaica Customs Department in keeping track of the global trade environment, has sought to use consultation as one of the major ways in which the department (can) handle the difficulty involved in border division.

"We also want to focus our efforts on the continuous improvement of information dissemination mechanisms for voluntary compliance from our stakeholders. This involves the use of even more innovative systems of communication and providing quality customer service to our clients," said Rowe.

sheena.gayle@gleanerjm.com