Forge greater links to combat cyber terrorism threats

AS THE Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) celebrates another International Customs Day under the theme ‘A Secure Business Environment for Economic Development’ we take this opportunity to congratulate them. This year’s theme is most relevant at this time. When viewed against the background that there is a need for economic development and growth in Jamaica; it is highly likely that international trade will be the rocket fuel firing that growth. International trade improves consumer welfare. It is also a key ethos, which leads to innovation and increased productivity. Customs compliance has a major role to play in facilitating that growth by creating a conducive environment which makes it relatively easy to import and export without compromising on the compliance aspects which secure our border and prevent contraband from infiltrating our country.

The creation of an enhanced and secured business environment will most likely add value to our international trade facilitation initiatives and provide the impetus for more foreign direct investment in the productive sector. Those investments will most likely stimulate economic growth, improve the material welfare of our population, and take us closer to our full employment output economic goal.

Secretary General Kunio Mikuniya proclaimed in his message that: “An environment which is enabling, safe, fair, and sustainable will engender the type of qualitative and quantitative development which international trade could bring to our society”. The Jamaica Society of Customs Brokers (JSCB) is of the view that a secured trade environment extends to cyber security as well. The implementation of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) brings into focus how data is stored and protected. In recent times, we observed threats coming from hackers through ransomware such as Samsam targetting not only the average person, but businesses as well. Those threats transcended borders.

FORGING GREATER LINKS

Now more than ever, it is imperative that we forge greater links with the international community to combat this cyber terrorism threat and reinforce the security of international trade. By repelling all potential threats, we will foster an international trade environment which will make investors, and potential traders feel confident that they are trading in a safe data integrity system.

The JSCB stands ready to continue its partnership with the JCA in its mandate to secure our borders physical or virtual while increasing revenue collection to achieve economic growth and development for Jamaica.

Best wishes a successful Customs Day and week of activities.