The following is excerpted from a 26 January 2013 message from the World Customs Organization.
Innovation is a key driver for sustainable Customs reform and modernization, not only ensuring that Customs remains on top of its game but also ensuring that Customs is in a strong position to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the 21st century border and trade environment.
With the importance of innovation now acknowledged universally and its positive impact recognized by key leaders around the world, I thought it fitting that on the occasion of International Customs Day, marked each year on 26 January, the global Customs community celebrates 2013 as the Year of Innovation under the slogan "Innovation for Customs Progress".
This message is available in its entirety at:
http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2013/january/international-customs-day-2013.aspx