The Maldives Customs Service recently installed the Global Travel Assessment System (GTAS), an advance passenger data risk assessment system that enables advance passenger information (API) and passenger name record (PNR) data to be collected and analyzed.
The Maldives is now requiring all air carriers with flights in and out of Maldives to submit API and PNR data in the agreed-upon format described by the World Customs Organization (WCO), International Air Transportation Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the WCO-IATA-ICAO API and PNR Guidelines.
The GTAS technical team that supported the Maldives in their installation and training included members of United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP). The training was provided for 24 officers including Maldives Customs Service (MCS), Immigration, Police and National Defense Services. Additionally, training was provided to MCS IT as the Single Window to independently manage the system.
With special thanks to the Government of Japan and the WCO Asia/Pacific Security Project, the Maldives has now joined in the global efforts towards the interdiction of Foreign Terrorist Fighters and other transnational crimes under the United Nations Security Resolutions (UNSCRs) 2178 and 2396. Additionally, the MCS has shown its strong commitment to the WCO Punta Cana Resolution by embracing security as part of the national mandate in all aspects of customs.
Mohamed Afzal, Chief Customs Officer, Maldives Customs Service said, “This huge accomplishment was achieved with the assistance of many who deserve appreciation and recognition. The Maldives Customs Service extends its thanks to the WCO Secretariat for facilitating the GTAS implementation project, to CBP for providing technical support and working tirelessly during the implementation phase, and to the Government of Japan for providing funds.”
He further added, “Without a doubt, many officers of the Maldives Customs Service also deserve recognition for their tireless efforts in making the implementation of the GTAS project a success. This includes the Commissioner General of Customs, Mr. Ahmed Numan, and his management team for their tremendous support of the project.”
