Mumbai, 27^th January 2022

 

Mumbai Customs Zone I celebrated International Customs Day today, 27^th January 2022 at New Custom House, Mumbai under the Chairmanship of Chief Commissioner of Customs Shri Pramod Kumar Agrawal.

Principal Commissioner Shri Sunil Jain, introduced the importance of theme "Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem". A well analysed study of the transformation of Customs, digitalisation for faster, hustle free and more transparent approach towards trade was presented. Various initiatives have been taken by the Customs leveraging technology for trade facilitation. Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) has provided faster and uniform clearances. Advanced Analytics (ADVAIT) has enabled broadening of tax base and data driven tax policy formulation. ‘Turant Suvidha Kendras’ are working to provide seamless trade facilitation and query handling

President Shri Kiran Rambhia and Senior Vice President Shri Dushyant Mulani on behalf of BrihanMumbai Customs Brokers Association (BCBA) appreciated various facilitations initiated by CBIC, particularly in the last couple of years, especially during Covid-19 Pandemic such as 24 X 7 clearance of relief material, Oxygen cylinders etc. President of All India Liquid Bulk Importer and Exporter Association (AILBIEA) Shri Jayant Lapsia also praised the trade friendly approach and transparent administration of CBIC. They specifically expressed that in spite of hurdles/issues, causalities, in present scenario of Covid-19 pandemic, Customs has carried out the job with 100% efficiency. They urged that digitalisation should yield more catch of errant importers and thus, only genuine importers get benefit.

Chief Commissioner, Shri Pramod Kumar Agrawal while congratulating the officers and trade members on the occasion of International Customs Day emphasised on the importance of data culture and ecosystem for bringing about digital transformation in Customs. He encouraged officers and staff to work with a mind-set of change to extend facilitation measures in the form of faceless contactless and paperless customs processes.

Also, appreciation certificates were awarded to Officers and staff of Mumbai Customs Zone 1 in recognition to the exemplary dedication and devotion to duty and for meritorious services to the Department.

Due to COVID 19 protocol and social distancing norms, the event was live streamed through web platforms and all the staff of Mumbai Customs and representatives of Trade Partners/stake holders participated in virtual mode.

International Customs Day (ICD) is celebrated worldwide, every year on 26th of January to commemorate the inaugural session of the Customs Co-operation Council held in Brussels on 26th Jan, 1953 with the participation of representatives of 17 member countries. The convention establishing the council had been signed on 15th December, 1950.  In 1994, the Customs Cooperation Council adopted a new name – ‘World Customs Organisation (WCO)’. On 26th of January every year, the Customs administration of member countries of the WCO organize various national events to celebrate the occasion and to promote a dedicated theme, chosen every year by the WCO Secretariat for the International Customs Day and to be continued throughout the year.

 

DL/PM

 

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