14 Junior Customs Officers take Promotion Course

The ninth Customs Officers Promotion Course organized by the Customs and Excise Department was officially opened on May 16, 2011.{{more}}

This course was introduced in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 1994 when local Customs Officers could no longer be trained in Trinidad and Tobago, owing to the discontinuation of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Corporation.

On Monday, fourteen Junior Customs Officers started the eight-week intensive training course, which will expose them to a wide range of technical customs procedures. These include arrival and boarding of ships and aircraft, classification and valuation of goods, examination of cargo and baggage, along with current international issues that impact on Customs Operations, such as border security and anti-money laundering among others.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Training Selwyn Da Silva said the course seeks to fulfill several fundamental needs. These, he said, include the need to keep abreast of an ever-changing global environment and the need for more effective and efficient collection of Customs Revenue in light of reducing tariffs.

Meanwhile, Comptroller of Customs and Excise Grenville John pointed out that at the Customs Department, it is recognized that capacity building is an important driver and sustainer of a modern professional Customs.

John emphasized that to date, considerable progress has been made in the modernization of the Department. However, to achieve greater success, both staff and stakeholders, he said, must have a greater appreciation of the new applications in a modern Customs.

A modern Customs Officer operating in the modern Customs environment, the Comptroller believes, must meet certain requirements.

“That person should be a highly trained, honest and hard-working person with the right attitude, willingness and capacity to learn. Someone who is not susceptible to bribes, collusion or corruption. The modern Customs Officer must possess thorough knowledge of tariffs scehdules, customs laws and regulations, and must keep abreast of the amendments made through changes in the laws and administrative procedures,” the Customs Comptroller added.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, in delivering the keynote address, fully endorsed the sentiments of the Comptroller.

The Prime Minister, who is also Minister of Finance, told the Junior Customs Officers that they need to have an understanding of their role, the role of customs and the manner in which the role and functioning of customs has changed. He advised the Officers to develop a passion for reading, so that they can become familiar with laws and regulations relating to Customs.

The Economic Partnership Agreement and the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Act are two documents which Dr. Gonsalves advised the Junior Customs Officers to familiarize themselves with.

“Because you will have an important role to play in the implementation of these laws,” the Prime Minister explained.

The Junior Customs Officers Promotion Course will run for eight weeks, at the end of which the Officers will be required to sit an examination.