Customs offices should boost use of technology says department

The pandemic has highlighted the need to invest in the use of technology by the customs department, to speed up processes and controls to become more efficient and boost legal trade, the customs department said on Monday, International Customs Day marked annually on January 26.

“Customs offices are asked to invest in the use and analysis of large volumes of data, in new control equipment and in the use of new technologies in order to positively affect their overall performance,” the announcement said.

This year’s International Customs Day slogan is ‘Customs bolstering recovery, renewal and resilience for a sustainable supply chain’.

“Customs is expected to focus on tackling the problems posed by the global pandemic and society and business by strengthening the global supply chain, by strengthening cooperation and the use of digital technology, while putting people at the centre of the transformation process.”

In its statement, the department noted it has an important role to play in ensuring a sustainable supply chain, with its presence at the entry and exit points of the country.

“The economic impact of the pandemic on businesses has been enormous with many negative effects on the supply chain and the massive recovery work cannot be undertaken by a single agent but many need to work together, especially those who are at ports, airports and generally at every point of entry and exit of countries.”