After a vibrant meeting with members of the Shipping Association of Jamaica's (SAJ) Agents Committee, Jamaica Customs officials speak with SAJ President Roger Hinds (right). From left: Deputy Commissioner of Customs Cordelia Brown, director, Executive Services, Patricka Wiggans-Chambers and director, Marine Operations, Marlon Lowe. The meeting was held at the SAJ's Fourth Avenue offices on February 13.
The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) Agents Committee and Jamaica Customs Department reaffirmed their commitment to working with each other to improve operations on the Port of Kingston during a meeting held on February 13.
The meeting was facilitated by the SAJ to introduce new officers of Jamaica Customs to agents who operate on the port.
President of the SAJ, Roger Hinds, spoke to the importance of the two entities working together, particularly to deepen the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was signed between the SAJ and Customs.
Improve trade
"Customs and the SAJ signed an MOU in 2003 to work together to improve trade. We must continue to find new ways to work together for national development," Hinds said.
The establishment of the Port Community System, the SAJ president noted, is one way in which the partners could work together to increase efficiency through a seamless electronic interface.
Denise Lyn Fatt, chairman of the SAJ Agents Committee, pointed out the importance of building relationships with Customs representatives stationed at the various ports of entry and the agents with whom they have to interact daily.
"It is timely that this lunc-heon is being held not only today, but in a year which promises to be a challenging one filled with opportunities for those of us willing to be agents of change. With a global recession looming, it is important that we build a stronger and better relationship to meet the changes and the challenges that are ahead of us," Mrs Lyn Fatt said.
Attendees
Patricka Wiggans-Chambers, director, executive services, Jamaica Customs reiterated Customs' commitment to working with agents to allow for smooth operations on the port. Members of the Customs Department who attended the meeting included; deputy commissioner of customs, Cordelia Brown; director, marine operations, Marlon Lowe; director of information management, Dwain Powell; manager at Adolph Levy and Partners, a bonded warehouse, Karen Wilson; manager for the Queens Warehouse 230, Myrna Thompson; acting manager, car park, Jacqueline Bailey; manager for Berth 11, Alicia Christian Scott; manager, Sufferance Wharf, Lance McDonald; manager, Container Station, Janice Tulloch; supervisor, site inspection unit, Nadine Taylor, and manager for Kingston Wharves, Everton Morgan.
SAJ managing committee member Joseph Lowe and General Manager Trevor Riley also brought messages.