Structured around the theme 'Cloud Computing: A New Era for Customs and Trade', the 2011 WCO IT Conference and Exhibition opened in Seattle, United States with around 600 experts from Customs and the private sector coming together to explore an issue that has the potential to transform the way business is done across the board particularly with regards to the international supply chain security and trade facilitation agenda.
This premier IT event organised by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) this year in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), providing participants with the ideal platform to discuss the role of IT in securing and facilitating global trade, with a special emphasis on how it can improve core Customs functions, particularly in developing countries.
In his opening remarks CBP Deputy Commissioner David V. Aguilar highlighted Customs' key responsibility for economic development and border security and that these were particularly important challenges in today's complex international environment.
The better use of information through the use of IT was crucial for facilitating trade and combating cross-border crime. He also thanked the WCO for showing leadership in the discussions on Customs reform and for encouraging the private sector to take an active role in this.
WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya underlined the importance of IT for the world's Customs community and stressed that it remained a top priority for the 177 Members of the WCO. Many aspects of the role of IT as a driver for development across a number of core business areas would be discussed by the global Customs body at its upcoming annual sessions in June.
Speaking on behalf of EU Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator Gilles de Kerchove, his adviser Oliver Russ emphasised that Customs is well advanced in new technology but given the persistent threat from terrorism, which has been remarkably successful in adapting itself to new technological opportunities, he called for better integration of the systems of different security communities. He added that Cloud Computing not only creates new opportunities for more efficient use of ICT, but also new challenges and potential vulnerabilities in data protection and sovereignty.-PR