The Antigua and Barbuda Customs and Excise Department is getting technical
assistance to carry out its stated goals of reforming and modernizing its operations.
Currently, a team from the World Customs Organization (WCO) is in the country
meeting with senior officials of the Customs Division, including Comptroller of
Customs, Raju Boddu as part of these efforts.
“Over the past week WCO Officials met with senior management, visited the main
ports of entry to get real-time experience of the process, and met with key
stakeholders with discussions to increase efficiency, and to develop an action plan
to continue the Customs reform and modernization plan,” a spokesman for the
Customs Division stated.
The spokesman said during this week local customs officials will continue to
dialogue with the WCO officials as well as participate in the WCO Consultation
Mechanism Training.
This training will target areas such as fostering change, reform and modernization,
strategic planning, communication, legal, and in-field activities.
According to the spokesman the training is being done under several areas of
focus.
One such area is Principles for Implementation Results, where the activity’s
primary focus is on strengthening Customs’ relationship with the Private Sector to
develop a joint approach to integrity-related matters, thus fully embracing the
principle of Collective Action response to Corruption.
Under Performance measurement/data analysis, the Customs Integrity Perception
Survey (CIPS) results data, in particular the comparison of Customs’ and Private
Sector perception, will be used to generate dialogue and critical thinking among
participants with regards to the way Customs’ approach is perceived by others.
Another area is Synergies with other initiatives where possible and applicable
links with ongoing modernization initiatives, such as the TFA and other related
actions will be leveraged and reinforced.
In the final section Gender-sensitivity and inclusivity, this activity seeks to foster a
gender balance participation, encouraging Antigua and Barbuda Customs and
Excise Division (CED) to have a balanced nomination approach in its operations.
