Business View Caribbean | March 2021

84 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN MARCH 2021 BVC: How do you anticipate the Customs industry evolving over the next three to five years? Farquharson: “One of my deeper concerns is, as the system becomes so automated, the focus is a bit more on getting the work done quickly and I really believe we are losing sight of the fundamentals of the integrity of licensed users of the system. Because a lot is at risk when the persons using the system are not driven by a sense of integrity and decency. And that may very well come back to haunt us five years down the line. We might look back and say, “Why were so many persons there that should not have been there?” “I believe the answer is more stringent regulations or certifications on licensees. And not just initial certification but recertification to prove you are still capable. That is missing from the way the system is set up now. Once you get the license, there is no deep need or requirement for you to prove again after three or five years that you’re still on top of the game. Cargo being loaded into the truck for delivery to a client. Peter Popkin (Customs Broker Clerk) uses the hand to illustrate as he gives directives to Sandria White (Customs Broker Clerk) as to ensure cargo is loaded safely and carefully into the unit.