He was addressing a gathering as chief guest on the 55th International Customs Day at the Mormugao Harbour. The theme of the day was ‘Coordinated Border Management, an Inclusion Approach for Connecting Stakeholders’.
Stating that the Customs has been expanding in a great way, Dr Shetye said: “Such an expansion could be quite consistent with the role India played about 200 years ago. India’s contribution in the global trade came up to 2 per cent by the late 1960’s and presently it is at 7%.”
“We must realise that we have potential because we have 50% of our population below 26 years. It’s our strength that we can manufacture in this country at much more economical price then rest of the world if we play our cards well and meet the challenge.” “While there are expansions of trade, there are challenges to your functioning arising due to the events that are happening around the world,” added Dr Shetye.
“While there was a smooth transition from one government to another in India last year, it is in striking contrast to some countries around us, particularly in the Middle East where there are groups and militants fighting with each other to gain control.” Dr Shetye remarked that militant groups also disturb the global trade and disturb the functions of the customs and control of cross border trade.
“The international customs organisations have set their agenda and the focus is on orderly cross border trade,” said Dr Shetye and he hoped that India would succeed in the expansion of the trade.
Earlier in his address, Commissioner of Customs A Anpazhankan stated that the Customs all over the world had formed a Customs Cooperation Council on January 26, 1953. In 1994, the council was renamed as the World Customs Day and though it was formed on January 26, it is being celebrated on January 27.
“The customs day is celebrated to enhance goals of international level and maintain nation’s security. India has a vast border of coast and land which has to be managed by other stakeholders like Border Security Force, Navy, Coast Guard, CISF and Customs play a small role. Protecting country’s borders, trade security, prevention of illegal trade and smuggling is our main motive,” said Anpazhankan.
