Customs Training Programme, Delhi

30/04/2014 | Delhi

Smuggling and counterfeiting in India are growing in scope and magnitude with every passing day. The extent and effects of smuggling and counterfeiting are of such significance that they compel strong and sustained action from governments, enforcement agencies, business, media, legal experts and consumers.

More effective enforcement is critical in this regard, as we need to build public support to combat smuggling and counterfeiting. With this view FICCI CASCADE organised a training program of Customs officers to sensitize them on the menace of smuggling and counterfeiting, in Delhi on 30th April, 2014.

Ms. Neeta Lall Butalia, Commissioner of Customs, Delhi shared her views and insights on the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling. She addressed the gathering and invited FICCI CASCADE to conduct more such training programmes for Customs officials in the future.

Mr. Dipankar Barkakati, Additional Director, FICCI in his special address, highlighted the initiatives taken by FICCI CASCADE so far and emphasised on the need to curb smuggling and counterfeiting by strengthening the legal and regulatory frameworks, enhancing enforcement and generating awareness of the consumers on the need to fight the twin menace.

The training programme was attended by over 35 Customs officials and provided a useful platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the detection and prevention of the entry of counterfeit and smuggled goods into the country.

Representatives of Dow Corning, Puma and Burberry gave presentations and exhibited samples of their original products alongside the counterfeit copies. The objective was to highlight the key technical aspects of their products which could facilitate the detection of counterfeit products. The participating Customs officials found the presentations constructive and interacted actively both with the company representatives and among themselves. It was decided that another training session would be organized by FICCI CASCADE for another batch of Customs Officers, in July 2014.