A recent meeting between officials from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and representatives from the Surinamese Customs Administration has seen both parties agreeing to several initiatives in an attempt to tackle issues relating to the smuggling of goods and border control.
A press release from the GRA, disclosed that the two delegations met on May 19, in Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname.
According to the release, the two bodies will be gathering information on known smugglers in the Corentyne area and will also be monitoring the movement of goods across the Suriname-Guyana border. The two entities will also be engaged in surveillance exercises to intercept smuggled goods and will be detaining and seizing such goods. Investigations into the tax affairs of importers or businesses that operate in the Corentyne area, will also be conducted the release added.
Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Autho-rity (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur says that in order for the work of the divisions to be successful the jurisdiction of the Corentyne River has to be addressed, since there “seems to be some amount of controversy over the territorial rights”.
Sattaur also said in the release that as a result of this the GRA is unable to pursue smugglers into the river. “Many smugglers are aware of this territorial issue and are now moving to different locations to land smuggled goods,” Sattaur stated.
The Commissioner-General further said that the GRA will continue to build on the initiatives implemented to address the issue and to develop new plans and strategies to curb the illicit trade of goods in the area.
He also stated that the two sides continue to exchange information on matters of mutual interest and are currently arranging a meeting to foster a better working relationship.