TT Chamber urges stronger backup systems after Customs disruption

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has commended the Customs and Excise Division for restoring the Customs Border Control System (ASYCUDA), which was disrupted on June 30 following a water leak at the Customs House, Government Campus Plaza, Port of Spain.

The Chamber acknowledged the restoration but highlighted the need for improved infrastructure redundancy and business continuity planning within the Customs and Excise Division and across all critical government services.

The Chamber recommended that authorities invest in backup systems and contingency protocols to maintain operational continuity or ensure swift restoration if primary infrastructure is affected. It stated that enhancing the resilience of customs infrastructure is necessary to protect the national economy from future disruptions.

President Sonji Pierre-Chase said the incident demonstrates the need to strengthen business continuity plans for essential services. Pierre-Chase stated that disaster recovery and backup systems are essential to maintaining national productivity and economic stability.

The Chamber reiterated its commitment to supporting the implementation of continuity measures across key agencies. It stated that protecting the flow of commerce and economic activity is a national priority.

The Chamber also expressed its willingness to collaborate with relevant entities on long-term solutions that improve the reliability of trade and customs systems.

The ASYCUDA system supports customs operations and trade facilitation across Trinidad and Tobago. The system was offline for several hours on June 30 due to the water leak, affecting customs processing and the clearance of goods.

The incident marked a temporary disruption, but the Chamber noted the broader implications for national commerce and trade resilience. It urged the implementation of strategic improvements to prevent similar occurrences.