Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman said the global conference on cooperation in enforcement matters is a major step forward in networking and collaborative efforts by the law enforcement agencies across the world, eventually benefitting not just India’s economy but also the world economy. Sitharaman presided over as Chief Guest the inaugural session of the first- ever threeday-long Global Conference on Cooperation in Enforcement Matters (GCCEM) in New Delhi.
Commercial frauds More than 75 delegates, representing over 40 custom administrations / organisations, including the Secretary GeneralWCO, Secretary General-CITES and other international agencies, are participating in the inaugural GCCEM. Representatives of various law enforcement agencies of India are also participating on various sessions in the field of antismuggling and commercial frauds.
The Union Finance Minister observed that customs officers must remain dedicated, make use of technology, share information and actionable intelligence with domestic and international agencies to create deterrence to illicit trade and transnational syndicates. The experience of agencies would show the direction and path to curb the evils in international trade.
She also launched the Phase IV of ‘Operation Sesha’ by Indian Customs in collaboration with RILO Asia-Pacific and RILO Middle-East to curb the illegal trade of timber, including red sanders.
Preserving flora, fauna Sitharaman stressed on curbing of illicit trade of red sanders with emphasis on preserving other precious flora and fauna. Apart from above, the Union Finance Minister concluded by stating that international agencies should also cooperate in bringing back the antiques to their respective countries.
Sitharaman also acknowledged the role of World Customs Organisation in anchoring the sharing of knowledge between Customs enforcement agencies across the world.