The Jamaica Customs Agency has been lauded for moving to introduce the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), a web-based application, for its transactions, which is expected to yield significant cost savings and improved service delivery.
Under this system, most paper intensive customs processes will be replaced with online procedures. This will enable its clients, including customs brokers and shipping agencies, to undertake electronic transactions, including manifest submissions, declarations, and payments.
These engagements are expected to simplify and standardise procedures for customers, reduce waiting time, provide more accurate and consistent tax calculations, and address revenue leakage.
Jamie Mendoza, ASYCUDA Regional Advisor to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, has declared that the JCA, and, in particular, Commissioner of Customs, Major Richard Reese, must be acknowledged for embarking on this “radical transformation".
He said the paperless environment is intended to bring down costs and make sure that the competitiveness of Jamaica is improved in order to attract foreign direct investment.
Mendoza was speaking at a Trade Facilitation Task Force meeting at the Ministry of Industry, Investment, & Commerce last week.
Revenue
According to Major Reese, ASYCUDA is expected to increase Custom's revenues by 20 per cent and reduce administrative costs by 10 per cent.
As at August 3, 2015, all exporters are required to use ASUCUDA (World) to submit electronic declarations to the Jamaica Customs. It is expected that all importers will be brought on stream by December 2015.
ASYCUDA was developed by UNCTAD, with ASYCUDA World being the most recent version of the software.
The project is funded by the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The Trade Facilitation Task Force meeting was held to discuss issues raised at its validation workshop in May 2015.
SOURCE: JIS
.jpg)
All feeds
