140 potential customhouse brokers in training
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 9, 2018
In an effort to ensure compliance with tax laws, around 140 participants will become licensed customhouse brokers via a six-week workshop undertaken by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The training programme held at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Training Centre will focus on various aspects of customs and trade, classification, rules of origin, warehousing, excise tax, prohibition and restriction, importation and exportation of toxic chemicals, labelling and standards.
Regulations and policies of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD), CARICOM and International trade agreements including the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) will also be discussed.
Gavin Lowe, Senior Manager of the Communication and Tax Advisory Division, GRA said that this initiative is one of many workshops slated to create licensed customhouse brokers among other officials to sensitize the public on tax compliance. “As we know, licensed customhouse brokers are the intermediary between customs and importers so this workshop is to gear prospective brokers with the necessary skills and information needed to do so. We are going to be training them in the different processes in customs,” Lowe explained.
According to the senior manager, the participants will focus on the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), particularly on how to prepare the electronic Single Administrative Document (eSAD).
He noted that the 2018 curriculum also includes an Introduction to Oil and Gas, as customhouse brokers will need to focus on all sectors that serve to benefit the economy. Facilitators will be drawn from within the GRA’s Oil and Gas Unit and an external counterpart, Lowe said.
One participant, Neil Kikhan, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that though he had no prior knowledge before participating in the workshop, it has been helpful for him to venture into the field.
“The workshop is really informative, they (GRA) give you all the guidelines [to become a customs broker] even for a new person like myself can understand the basic knowledge needed to become successful in the field. The lecturers are very open to those who do not understand the concepts overall; one of the best workshops I have participated in,” Kikhan said.
The workshop commenced on October 1 and set to be concluded on November 9 with an assessment to determine aptitude.
Neola Damon.
Images by Keno George.