The Chinese donated mobile container scanner was on Monday commissioned during a ceremony at the National Park with traders being urged to ensure that they are well prepared for the scanning to minimise time and resources.
The US$4.3 million scanner was given by the government of China through a grant. The certificate of acceptance was signed in December. This is the third scanner the country has acquired; however, it is the first mobile one, which will be used to boost the export and import surveillance capacity while at the same time detect unauthorised items being smuggled through the ports.
During the commissioning ceremony, a demonstration of its operation was shown to the officials present. The scanner is self-operated and can scan a maximum of 20 containers in an hour. It was manufactured by Chinese company, NUCTECH, using the latest technology in x-ray imaging.
Speaking at the launch, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said that while he has no doubt the mobile scanner will be used by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to meet the trade laws, it should not be solely responsible for timely and efficient conduct of the process. On this note, the minister urged traders to play their part in ensuring that the process of scanning goes smoothly.
The equipment, Dr Singh noted, will boost revenue collection and mobilisation of GRA. “This scanner and inspection system represents an extremely important addition to the hardware of our government and the officials of the GRA in ensuring compliance with our laws, but particularly our standard trade laws and protection of our revenue,” Singh noted.
International compliance
This acquisition, he explained, brings Guyana into compliance with international standards and requirements used by major trading partners. The finance minister added that the initiative taken by the Chinese government is one of the most recent examples of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin said this equipment will go a long way in boosting the operations of the GRA. He pointed out that this initiative by the Chinese government is part of its effort to improve the economies of developing countries and reflects their warm friendship.
Meanwhile, GRA Deputy Commissioner General Clement Sealey said the acquisition of this scanner will go towards developing GRA’s capacity in dealing with goods imported and exported and also to safe- guard revenue collections.
He said the scanner will allow for easy detection of unauthorised goods being traded and will greatly enhance the technological capacity of GRA.
