AMCHAM T&T is calling for urgent action to deal with what it deems are delays and overtime to clear simple shipments at the country’s ports.
In a media release sent this afternoon the chamber applauded the Customs and Excise division for finally implementing the electronic clearance application ASYCUDA 4.2.2. However, it pointed to issues with the migration to the ASYCUDA, which aims to better detect contraband.
It says no items could have been cleared at the ports from December 31st to January 4th due to the migration process and that the new system has been “down more than it has been functional.”
They said these delays and and the addition of bureaucracy not only add to the overall cost of operations to the Express Courier and Freight Forwarder industries, but also result in additional costs to small and medium enterprises.
Acknowledging that recent meetings with the Finance Minister have led to some meaningful gains, it believes the problems must be quickly rectified.
AMCHAM is calling for urgent leadership from government to reduce the backlogs and to facilitate efficient trade.
COMMENTS