Anguilla’s newly-appointed Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Kiel Connor, has promised to redouble his department’s efforts to promote economic growth, and social advancement, despite the Covid-19 challenges.
Mr. Connor, formerly Comptroller of Inland Revenue, was at the time speaking on World Customs Day on Tuesday, January 26. He spoke in the presence of Government officials and a large gathering of colleagues on the Secretariat compound.
He paid tribute to the vision and hard work of past leaders and officers of the Anguilla Customs Department. He acknowledged that they had spearheaded a number of organisational reforms which prepared the department for these challenging times.
The full text of Mr. Connor’s address is as follows:
“Customs Departments across the globe continue to serve as keepers of the borders. Our officers readily serve as the eyes and the ears of the people and as protectors of industry, the environment and the economy. Through the years, Customs has reformed its image from only being regarded as revenue collectors. The modern Customs Department, both here in Anguilla and around the world, is a facilitator of trade and the enabler of legitimate business.
“With the growth in global supply chains, the Customs department became an integrated partner in administering trade agreements and domestic trade related policies that redound to the benefit of merchants, manufacturers, and consumers alike. Improved Customs procedures allow for faster, hassle free processing of documents and the clearance of goods. These have resulted in the availability of greater variety of goods to the discerning consumer who values choice and the access to raw materials for local producers both here and abroad. In truth, we all desire greater access to the goods we love and to be able to compete in more markets abroad.
“With the advent of the Novel Corona Virus, easier access to the world global supply of consumer goods, medicines and vaccines have become more vital to the advancement of modern societies. It is the modern Customs Department with its focus on trade facilitation that allows Anguilla and its business community to keep in step with ongoing changes in the global supply chain.
“On January 26, 2021, the Customs Department of Anguilla joins all Customs Departments and Authorities the world over in celebrating the 69th Anniversary of the founding of the World Customs Organisation and World Customs Day, 2021. Our leadership, management and staff join with our colleagues in focusing on the theme for this year’s celebrations: “Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience for a sustainable supply chain”.
“This Customs Day and each day, the Anguilla Customs Department pledges to redouble our efforts to facilitate that which would promote the economic growth and social advancement of our island and its people. We recommit our lives as protectors of our island’s borders and careful administrators of the laws, policies and agreements that defend our natural and socio-cultural environments. We believe that it is our role as a proactive arm of the public service to play an integral role in our island’s response to the economic and social shocks that confront us in the times of the new normal.
“As part of our celebration of Customs Day 2021, we salute the vision and the hard work of Customs Department leaders and officers of the past who spearheaded the organisational reforms that have readied the Department for these challenging times. Reforms ranging from electronic document processing through the introduction of the ASYCUDA World Platform to the introduction of risk management assessment capabilities and post import clearance review processes have all lessened the need for longer, time-consuming person to person contact hours. Yet at the same time, these measures give the assurance that, now more than ever, Anguilla stands ready to do business with the world.
“We stand ready to administer any new legislative and policy measures that would lead to economic recovery during and following the COVID-19 crisis. We stand as a vanguard to the values that will build a stronger and a more resurgent Anguilla. Above all this, we stand shoulder to shoulder with all the people, ready to overcome every obstacle.
“In closing, I take this opportunity to wish all Customs officers, both serving and retired, a happy worlds Customs Day, 2021. May the significance of this celebration strengthen our resolve to serve our God and our country with passion, with purpose and with integrity. Let us in our daily endeavours be the reassurance that our Anguilla is robust and resilient.
“May God bless us in our daily duties as protectors of the borders and industry, as collectors of the revenue and as promoters of robust trade facilitation. And above all, through us, may God bless Anguilla.
“Happy World Customs Day.”
