Managing risks to security and safety in Malta : a review of Customs Department policies in the 21st century

Abstract

The Malta Customs Department is one of the oldest government Departments in existence and its role has shifted along the years from its traditional objective of collecting revenue, to today's enhanced role of border safe-keeping for Malta's and the European community. It is also pertinent to note that the role of Customs has also been conditioned by the increase in international trade. The risks faced by our society exist in many forms, in response to which, studied changes in the Malta Customs Department's operations have brought changes to its internal structure. The strengthened relations with local and international institutions have been influential in the processes of modernisation. Policies adopted locally were conditioned by EU legislation and were instrumental in safeguarding risks to security and safety. The transformed structure and operations, with the aid of additional equipment, are evidence of the continuous attempts at better management of resources. The Business Change Management Plan and the Public Service Reform implemented in the Customs Department can be judged to have benefited targeting risks to security and safety in Malta.