The Jamaica Customs Agency is to implement additional advanced risk assessment capabilities, with new features for its Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), as the entity continues its fight against corruption.

Velma Ricketts Walker, commissioner of the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) said: “Anti-corruption initiatives remains at the forefront of Custom operations. We are committed to implementing, maintaining and enhancing anti corruption initiatives in close cooperation with our partners locally, regionally and internationally.”

ASYCUDA is a web-based application that allows clients of the JCA, including Customs Brokers & Shipping Agents, to undertake e-transactions such as the submission of manifests, declarations, payments, and documents.

Walker noted that the globalised economy has opened new and sophisticated ways for financial and other transnational crimes that have impacted the operations of customs.

But the JCA’s use of technology has been critical in stemming corruption, providing transparency and accountability.

“We stand resolute in our efforts to not only reduce, but to ultimately eradicate the monster of corruption, as far as humanly possible,” said Walker.

The JCA has been approved for the acquisition of eight new models to the ASYCUDA system expected to improve its services.

A few of the services mentioned by Walker were e- commerce, cargo, integration with postal services, small and pleasure craft processing, advanced passenger information and manifest selectivity.

She further shared that the implementation of new risk assessment capabilities with ASYCUDA will allow for “ongoing assessment, both at the manifest and declaration levels for both cargo and passenger”.

The JCA is also in its final stages of developing a draft whistleblowing procedural guideline to enhance the agency’s ability to retrieve information.

A Customs integrity assessment survey was also conducted by the JCA that will allow for “a comprehensive view of how the agency is viewed”.

“We intend to use the acquired data to guide other anti- corruption measures slated to be rolled out over the next two years,” said Walker.

She also made mention of the launch of the JCA’s online public campaign that enhanced the agency’s ability to retrieved information from the public as they believe ” an effective anti- corruption strategy must include [the public]”.

Over the last three years, the JCA has implemented several initiatives that have assisted in their fight to eradicate corruption.

These include the strengthen of its relationship with other law enforcement partners to improve the agency’s internal capacities to combat corruption.

The JCA has since partnered with the US Customs and border protection, the UK border force and the Canadian border services.

There was also a partnership with the World Customs Organization, a partnership that Walker said provided invaluable expertise as the JCA seeks to adopt international best practices in all their activities.