The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the first 3-day-long Global Conference on Cooperation in Enforcement Matters (GCCEM) in New Delhi on October 30th 2023. The Minister has urged the customs officers to utilise technology and international cooperation to tackle illicit trade.
The Inaugural Session had the honour of hosting Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, the Union Minister of State for Finance, as the Guest of Honour. Additionally, the Special Guest for the event was Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation. The occasion was further graced by the presence of Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, who serves as the Chairman of CBIC, as well as several other senior officers from the Department, Members of the Board, and representatives from various Law Enforcement Agencies and Organizations in India.
The idea for the Global Conference on Cooperation in Enforcement Matters (GCCEM) originated from a suggestion by the Union Finance Minister during her address at the Inaugural function of DRI Foundation Day in 2022. She emphasised the need for stronger cooperation and collaboration among international enforcement agencies to facilitate timely intelligence sharing. In response to this directive, especially in the year of India’s G20 Presidency, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), in consultation with the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Brussels, has taken the initiative to host the global conference from October 30 to November 1, 2023, under the theme ‘It takes a Network to fight a Network.’
The primary objective of this international conference is to encourage the exchange of insights and best practices and to act as a catalyst for strengthening partnerships with Indian Customs’ collaborating administrations, as well as for establishing new alliances. The WCO has partnered with Indian Customs to ensure extensive participation from Member Administrations and international organisations, including WCO’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs) and senior representatives from the WCO Secretariat.
The Union Finance Minister, Smt. Sitharaman, commended CBIC and DRI for successfully organising the global conference. She highlighted that this international conference on cooperation in enforcement matters represents a significant step towards enhancing networking and collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies worldwide. Ultimately, these efforts are expected to benefit not only India’s economy but also the global economy.
The Union Finance Minister emphasised that Customs has two vital aspects: facilitation and enforcement, and these aspects should form the core functions of Customs and enforcement agencies. She urged officers to remain dedicated, leverage technology, share information and actionable intelligence with both domestic and international agencies to act as a deterrent against illicit trade and transnational syndicates. The experiences of these agencies can provide guidance on how to combat issues in international trade.
The Union Finance Minister also launched phase IV of ‘Operation Sesha,’ conducted by Indian Customs in collaboration with RILO Asia-Pacific and RILO Middle-East, to combat the illegal trade of timber, including red sanders. She stressed the importance of curbing the illicit trade of red sanders while preserving other precious flora and fauna. She further highlighted the need for international agencies to cooperate in repatriating antiques to their respective countries. Additionally, she acknowledged the World Customs Organisation’s role in facilitating knowledge sharing among Customs enforcement agencies worldwide and stressed the importance of exploring legislative and procedural improvements in various countries to combat illicit trade.
In his address, Union Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, discussed the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements, including the use of Artificial Intelligence. He emphasized that in the era of Artificial Intelligence, intelligence sharing and increased collaboration among international agencies are more critical than ever.
Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of WCO, highlighted the significance of sharing knowledge among Customs agencies globally and the importance of passing down this knowledge to future generations through mentoring.
Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Government of India, spoke about the economic and social security implications of smuggling. He emphasised that the modern digital world has blurred national boundaries and posed significant challenges to enforcement agencies. Shri Malhotra stressed the need to strike a balance between enforcement and trade facilitation, which is essential for promoting ease of trade, enhancing competitiveness, and reducing costs for customers.
Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of CBIC, emphasised the interconnections between smuggling and transnational crimes in the evolving international landscape. He expressed the conference’s aim to serve as a catalyst for enhancing collaboration with existing partners and forging new partnerships.
Mr. M.K. Singh, Principal Director General of DRI, extended his gratitude to all the guests, delegates, and the team of officials and staff of CBIC for making the event possible.
The inaugural GCCEM is being attended by over 75 delegates representing more than 40 Customs Administrations/Organizations, including the Secretary General of WCO, Secretary General of CITES, and various other international agencies. Representatives from various Indian Law Enforcement Agencies are also participating in the three-day conference, covering sessions related to anti-smuggling and commercial fraud.
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