DILI, may 18, 2021 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Finance (MF), Rui Gomes, and the Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) to Timor-Leste, Kevin Blackstone, today launched new support from the USA – a direct customs contact line to support the fight against customs crime.
The toll-free hotline, number 12200, or the link www.custom.gov.tl allows you to file complaints about suspicious activity at any time.
The Director-General of the Customs Authority (AA), José António Fátima Abílio, said that the hotline aims to help and protect the community about the importation of narcotics, weapons, and counterfeit drugs. In addition, it helps AA in collecting revenue.
“Because the value of the tax at Timor-Leste’s Customs is minimal, criminals continue to bring in substandard or illicit materials, which causes the State to lose revenue. Illegal activities cause the loss of confidence of negotiators who strive to follow the rules. For a long time, there has been a diversion, by a criminal hand, of funds destined to build schools and infrastructure”, said José Abílio, at the launching ceremony today.
Minister Rui Gomes, on the other hand, stated that the direct customs contact line is a positive sign to improve the AA services.
“With this advanced technology, the personnel of the customs services will be able to do an adequate job, serve customers efficiently based on their function and regulation, allowing greater transparency and accounting in the collection of revenues”, Mr. Gomes said.
Mr. Gomes also thanked the service coordination among the AA team and thanked USAID for their support, adding that “The result of your collaboration can improve the level of work for the customs services”
The Ambassador of the United States of America, Charles Kevin Blackstone, also said that this aid is aimed at preventing corruption and strengthening good governance.
“The new hotline will allow the public to do its part in combating existing crimes, providing information to the customs services in a voluntary, secure, and secret way,” he said.
The creation of a direct customs contact line, through the USID for International Development (USAID) customs reform project, with a budget of US $ 8.8 million, is destined for the next four years.
Journalist: Nelia Fernandes
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
