Borders Divide, Customs Connects
As the World Customs Organization (WCO) celebrates its 60th anniversary, Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary General, has decided that the theme for 2012, as well as International Customs Day (January 26, 2012) will be Connectivity. And fittingly the slogan for both is “Borders divide, Customs connects”.
According to a statement released by the WCO, “connectivity connotes a vision of arrangements worldwide that support the smooth and lawful flow of goods, services, people, technologies, capital, culture, and ideas. It galvanizes the establishment of partnerships, the preparation of research, the sharing of knowledge, and the delivery of capacity building. Connectivity thus paves the way for community protection, modernization, and economic development.”
While borders may divide us geographically, working together to strengthen communication between the private sector, Customs administrations, and other government agencies and institutions, will connect us all as we strive to facilitate the achievement of objectives such as a safe, secure supply chain, and ease of reporting to multiple parties. It will be the sharing of knowledge that will truly fuel connectivity across all borders – and it will be the sharing of knowledge that will provide everyone, Customs and the private sector, with easier ways to conduct business around the world.
As proceed through your day today, think about how many items in your everyday life have come through an international supply chain. Now, stop and think about if those items were held up at borders due to security risks, non-compliance with government rules, or just a simple mistake on a filing. Could you make it a day without your cell phone, watch or computer? While you may not be the one moving the goods through the supply chain, this focus on connectivity for the 2012 International Customs Day should be one you celebrate since it keeps your world moving on a daily basis.
Happy International Customs Day!
