Bermuda technology firm Gateway has signed a deal to introduce a new automated customs system in the British Virgin Islands.

Gateway has joined forces with BVI’s branch of Federal Express to set up the automated customs system (ABC) in the Caribbean British Overseas Territory.

Gateway managing director John Kyle said: “The success of ABC in Bermuda made the decision to implement in the BVI a very easy one for them, I believe.”

The ABC system is able to communicate directly with BVI’s customs officials’ new customs automated processing system (CAPS), which leads to more efficiency and fewer errors.

The firm’s director of software Kevin Luckham, the main architect of the new system, added: “We are delighted to add a new Caribbean island group to our client portfolio.

“There are some differences in both how HM Customs in BVI collect duties and report on them and that require some customisation before we can implement, but, as we know, the Bermuda CAPS system works very well and we do not foresee any problems.”

Gateway, headquartered in Hamilton’s Queen Street, was set up 25 years ago and now has a staff of more than 20 working in information and communications technology.