Customs seeks options to facilitate exports

 PNG Customs is faced with the challenges of facilitating exports to other countries by working with State agencies bound by their respective laws and jurisdictions.

PNG Customs assistant commissioner regional operations Frank Babaga said that at the conclusion of the Customs business consultation workshop in Kokopo, last Friday. 

He said the Government had many agencies working at the border such as Customs, Naqia, National Airport Corporation, PNG Ports and police.

They have their own laws and the forum was to bring all stakeholders together so they could work without overstepping jurisdictions.

“There are many challenges with the main one being how we facilitate exports to other countries as one agency and how to make it easy for exporters to comply,” Babaga said.

“Another issue raised is that the Department of Commerce, Trade and Industry issues one certificate while we issue another certificate and we want to harmonise this so it is easy on exporters.”

Stakeholders who attended include shipping companies, business owners or representatives and Customs agents. 

He said PNG Customs used the event to inform stakeholders about new and existing Customs procedures and to create awareness in their service delivery.