International Customs Day 2024

January 29, 2024

Customs have commemorated the International Customs Day 2024 during a special ceremony held in Customs Head Office building on 29th January 2024. The special chief guest of the ceremony was Minister of Economic Development Honorable Mohamed Saeed. In addition, Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Mr. Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed and Commissioner General Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed, also attended the ceremony.

Seventeen Officers were awarded with the WCO Certificate of Merit under the theme of year 2023 “Nurturing the next generation”. The certificates were awarded by Commissioner General Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed.

Two significant services were introduced during the ceremony; Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program and Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted Tariff Search Module.

Special chief guest Minister of Economic Development Honorable Mohamed Saeed launched the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, designed to enhance supply chain security and promote trade facilitation. It aims to ensure that businesses involved in international trade meet certain security criteria and comply with customs regulations. The AEO program is an initiative by the World Customs Organization (WCO), and is being successfully implemented by 82 customs administrations across the globe.

Managing Director of MACL Mr. Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted Tariff Search Module. Inspired by the World Customs Organization's (WCO), AI HS algorithm developed through the BACUDA project, the advanced AI Harmonized System (HS) tool, marks a significant leap forward in the classification of goods for Customs officials and the trade community.

Speaking at the Ceremony, Minister Mohamed Saeed stated that the AI service introduced today will be pivotal in strengthening relationships between present and future stakeholders. Adapting to the global supply chain requires that, MCS enhance their services aimed at facilitating trade, in order for the continuous development of the economy and Minister highly appreciated our efforts in this regard. Further, he emphasized on strategizing our services to accommodate the government projects and thereby continue to expedite our clearance services.

Addressing the attendees, Commissioner General congratulated the Merit Certificate recipients and praised our Officers for developing a homegrown HS Code prediction system. He stated that the two services inaugurated today is a significant milestone achieved in our efforts to enhance our services. In addition, MCS will further continue to prioritize automation and modernization of its services in terms of enhancing the Import/Export clearance process, strengthen surveillance capabilities in Customs controlled areas, provide simplified and speedy services.