27 January, 2017 Tonga’s Ministry of Revenue and Customs celebrated World Customs Day yesterday, 26 January 2017 in a special ceremony under the theme ‘Data Analysis for Effective Border Management’.
The guest of honour , Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni in his keynote address stated that the Government of Tonga realise the importance of data analysis to sustainable growth and development and effective service delivery but there are setbacks such as lack of IT infrastructures, proper privacy laws and lack of skilled resources.
Hon Sovaleni said the government is hoping to make data analysis a strategic primacy to enable Customs to access information from other agencies.
“We are planning to start with building the appropriate infrastructure. From July, our E-government project will undertake some key activities including building two data centres, one live one and a backup one to better manage and protect data and building a key databases such as people database, business registry and land registry. Customs then can have better access to data from other agencies to enable them to conduct better and more timely data analysis,” he said.
Hon Sovaleni stressed the need to work together with stakeholders and development partners to ensure that the current border management is fit to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
CEO for the Ministry of Revenue and Customs Mr. Kulu ‘Anisi Bloomfield said initially the Customs primary responsibility was to collect revenue but over the years the department’s duty has shifted to include regulation of people and goods at points of entry and exit and facilitation of trade. He stated that approximately TOP$107.1 million has been collected by the ministry for the current fiscal year.
Mr. Bloomfield thanked line ministries, stakeholders and development partners for their continuing support and assistance in funding projects. He said the ministry would strive for transparency and good leadership this year.
Present in the ceremony were the Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Minister for Revenue and Customs Hon Tevita Lavemaau, Australian High Commissioner to Tonga HE Mr. Andrew Ford, President of the Church of Tonga Rev Dr Tu’ipulotu Katoanga, Government CEO’s and guests.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications