Outgoing customs brokers lead wants ministerial wing to propel logistics hub

With Jamaica aiming to become a global logistics hub, the Government is being urged to consider establishing an arm of the industry, investment and commerce ministry, to focus on improving and strengthening logistics on the island.

Clive Coke, the immediate past president of the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica, made the recommendation while speaking with The Gleaner during the association’s annual general meeting at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

In its thrust to become a global logistics hub, Jamaica has commenced several major multibillion-dollar projects to position itself among the world’s leading logistics territories. These include the erection of a US$37-million ship repair and maintenance facility and US$60-million infrastructural development initiatives at Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL).

Earlier this year, Industry Minister Senator Aubyn Hill, while emphasising that one of the Government’s key priorities is developing Jamaica into a more robust global logistics centre, that connects the Americas to the rest of the world, also stressed that the country needs to move towards becoming the region’s logistics hub.

SPECIAL LOGISTICS BODY NEEDED

However, Coke said there is a need for a body that exclusively focuses on logistics to drive the process and to facilitate the establishment of a framework.

“One of the things we have noticed in talking with our international partners is that there is actually a ministry or a part of a ministry that focuses on logistics and improvements in logistics.

“We need to have that body that focuses exclusively on logistics. We have seen it in India, we saw it in Canada where there is a specific arm of the ministry that focuses on building out logistics and I think we need to get there as a country,” he said.

As an alternative, he said the Government could also consider establishing a working committee with consultation from stakeholders including customs brokers so that a framework can be developed.

“I must say, at the WCO (World Customs Organization), there is a private sector consultative group which advises the WCO on best practices as it relates to trade and matters that might be faced by traders and that is headed by a customs broker.

“As customs brokers, we really work to have a more efficient logistics process. We have a big role to play in logistics ranking and, as we know, investors pay attention to the ranking in deciding where to invest.

“So, I think there is great knowledge that can be received and that is definitely where we need to start,” Coke said, while noting that the recommendation will be one of the matters that will be pushed by the new executive.

Meanwhile, Coke, speaking on his achievements during his four-year tenure, listed improvements in the training of customs brokers and clerks and the establishment of partnerships with international customs broker organisations.

“We have really focused on training, we have invested in specialised training and we have gotten help from the International Federation of Customs Brokers and so the capacity of our members certainly would have been greatly improved over the four years that I have been president,” he said. “We have also established meaningful relationships with customs brokers and other bodies in the international space.”

A BETTER PLACE

Coke will no doubt be remembered for marshalling the association’s strong opposition against the Jamaica Customs Agency’s contactless clearance policy which has now led to a court battle.

However, he said, “It’s not a place that we really wanted to be but it certainly came about because of the non-engagement on their part, but I do think the association is at a better place and I would have made some strides.”

Coke, while expressing confidence in the new executive to guide the organisation forward, advised the new president, Marcia Bent, to listen to the membership and to stay true to the cause.”

Bent, for her part, said other than the issue around the contactless clearance policy, which the association will continue to pursue, she will be pressing for the establishment of physical space for the Customs office in Montego Bay, St James.

The president said the issue has been around from as far back as almost a decade ago, when she was previously president, and needs to be addressed now. She said Customs for some time had operated from different offices but was forced to close down and operate remotely because of issues with the buildings.

“We encouraged Customs over the years to look at building a place for themselves instead of going into rentals and then fall into these issues,” she said.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com