CABINET NOTES: The Cabinet invited the heads of the Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department, an official from the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, and the principal of a private firm to address the implementation of Electronic E/D cards at the nation’s airports.
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The Chief Immigration Officer and her team reminded the Cabinet that paper E/D cards are ancient, outdated, inefficient, and pose a serious storage challenge. The need for the E/D card is absolutely evident when 350,000 visitors enter through the portals of the airport annually, each submitting a paper E-D card; moving to the electronic card that is tailor-made to fit Antigua and Barbuda’s needs, is unquestionably essential.
The principal of the private firm which accompanied the Government officials is one of several that have made a pitch to transform the system from paper to electronic. Using several screens, the private firm’s principal showed the ease with which the electronic form can be completed and submitted by the passenger, days in advance of his/her arrival.
However, there would also be a kiosk at the arrival terminals for those who might need help with the new technology. Handheld devices can also be utilized to complete and submit the form where WI-FI is available. The electronic Customs Declaration captures all the information that now appears at the back of the E-D paper form.
Its new format will reduce processing time. The Cabinet was persuaded that the approach to be taken will lead to great reliability, eliminate the need for container storage of hundreds of thousands of paper cards, and will enable those marketing Antigua and Barbuda to reach target audiences emanating from various geographical spaces.
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The cost of making this transition involves a one-time fee and an annual charge. The Cabinet will return to the subject in a week or two since December 2024 is the intended timeframe.
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