By 2015, there will be a trading community watch group to tackle illegal trading activities in Singapore.

The watch group, which will comprise companies, port operators and cargo handlers, will look out for suspicious activities among the trading community and alert Singapore Customs officers.

This is one of the new programmes announced by the Singapore Customs during its annual workplan seminar on Thursday morning. All the programmes launched aim to enhance Singapore's position as a "secure and trusted" trading hub, said the Singapore Customs.

Singapore Customs also aims to enhance its targeting system to better spot illegal goods being smuggled in through cargo. It will do so through new profiling methods of companies and information technology.