Basseterre - Dec. 13, 2011 -  St. Kitts and Nevis on Monday introduced a new system for processing passengers arriving by air at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, a move welcomed by Prime Minister the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt.

“The system that we are about to start is not a new system to Customs processing. It is a system that is used in the United States where the arriving passenger after going through Immigration gets a primary examination and if necessary, a secondary examination,” Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Georid Belle explained during a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Financial Secretary, Mrs. Janet Harris; Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Rodney Harris and other Customs officials, Immigration, Airport and Airline representatives.

Mr. Belle explained that the new system will enhance the flow of the passengers through the arrival baggage hall resulting in more efficient processing and pleasant customer experience.

“We had been tasked by the Comptroller of Customs Mr. Rodney Harris to find a new way of enhancing the efficiency here at the baggage hall. We had several restrictions, with space being the primary one. As a result of collaborative thinking and ingenuity, I think that we have come up with quite modern, flexible solution to the difficulties that we were facing,” Mr. Belle said.

“Customs will be more focused on our commercial passengers. We have done a lot of investment over the last two to three years in several areas including technology, new K-9 Units, iron scanners and intelligence data bases. These help us to identify passengers that we may have an interest in and it will also help us to fill one of our primary goals, which is the facilitation of the legitimate trade and travel.