CBP Commissioner Nominee Pledges to Focus on Security and Trade

At a Jan. 15 hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, R. Gil Kerlikowske indicated that if confirmed as commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection he will continue the agency’s focus on securing U.S. borders while also facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

 Kerlikowske also told committee members that if confirmed the following trade-related issues will be among his priorities:

Business Processes.

CBP needs to continue its efforts to transform its business processes, eliminating paperwork, expanding enrollment in trusted traveler programs and deploying technology to minimize wait times at ports of entry. With global trade projected to expand by 8% annually through 2030 and infrastructure trade projected to grow at a rate of 9% and account for over 50% of all goods traded globally, the U.S. needs to ensure that its ports are capable of helping it capitalize on these opportunities.

ACE/ITDS.

CBP needs to continue to prioritize completion of the Automated Commercial Environment and the International Trade Data System, which “will establish a modern, flexible, automated foundation for the efficient transmission of data to all U.S. government agencies with a border nexus, ensuring the efficient entry and release of cargo.”

Exports.

CBP needs to modernize its export process, in close collaboration with its private sector, government, and international partners, to streamline exports and foster growth for U.S. companies.

Enforcement.

Kerlikowske pledged to work with Senate Finance on focusing CBP’s enforcement resources to protect U.S. producers from unfair competition, ensure that innovative national technologies and brand names are protected from threats, and protect domestic consumers from unsafe, substandard products.

Employees.

CBP needs to build and retain a world class, knowledge-based trade workforce to interact effectively with the public and the trade community, and a critical part of that effort will be addressing morale challenges identified within the agency. It will therefore be a “major priority” to provide sustained leadership attention to the training, development and effective management of CBP’s employees.

Excerpt from Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report posted on Thursday, January 16, 2014.

To read the full article, please visit STR Trade Report.

Photo Source: The Washington Post.