Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that while ensuring ease of doing business for the industry, special focus should be given on MSMEs, new start-ups. 

 Speaking on the occasion of International Customs Day- 2024 in New Delhi, Sotharaman said, “With a common purpose of ease of doing business for nation building during India's ‘Amrit Kaal’, all the stakeholders need to come together and contribute for benefits to citizen of India. Many initiatives taken by Customs such as Faceless Assessment, Direct Port Delivery, Single Window Clearance, AEO Scheme need to evolve with overall objective of growth of trade and business. Special focus on MSMEs, new start-ups and inclusivity will align with the vision of our PM”.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) celebrated the International Customs Day- 2024 in New Delhi.

This year, the World Customs Organisation (WCO) has dedicated the International Customs Day to the theme of ‘Customs engaging traditional and new partners with purpose’.

Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, presided over as the chief Guest and Sanjay Agarwal, Chairman, CBIC, was the guest of honour.

In tune with the theme, the celebration saw widespread participation of the officers of Customs from across the country, various partnering agencies, and dignitaries from other government departments.

In her message on the occasion, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman stated, “This year's theme of International Customs Day, with the theme of ‘Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose’, completely resonates with the Motto of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ given by Our Prime Minister. Every partner needs to collaborate to put India on course to becoming the third-largest economy by 2027-28, with a GDP surpassing $5 trillion.”

In his message on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated, “Customs plays important role of continuity amidst international political boundaries and said that to facilitate businesses from India, Customs must forge partnerships on the lines of initiatives like use of postal network through Dak Niryat Kendra and encouraging MSMEs to supply jewellery through e-commerce.

In his address on the occasion, Malhotra praised the manner in which technology was increasingly being leveraged by the department and acknowledged the crucial role played by Customs and the partner agencies in the significant improvement in the dwell time of cargo across the ports and airports in the country.