At the invitation of Ms. Anita Montoute, Saint Lucia’s Acting Comptroller of Customs, WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya visited Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia from 13 to 14 February 2020 to discuss the challenges and opportunities of Small Island Economies in the Caribbean region. 

Dr. Mikuriya participated in a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Finance in the presence of the Minister for Commerce, Industry, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Bradley Felix and other senior government officials to exchange views on improving business climate, implementing international trade obligations and Saint Lucia’s sustainability strategy, which also applies to other islands in the Caribbean region.

Secretary General Mikuriya had a fruitful meeting with Saint Lucia’s Customs management team to review the progress of Customs reform, including the use of risk management and technology as well as organizational arrangement of Customs. He also met young Customs officers of Saint Lucia to discuss Customs challenges.

During a visit to the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) in Saint Lucia that also hosts the WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) for the Caribbean region, Dr. Mikuriya met Mr. Albert Sandy, its Permanent Secretary, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation with the WCO, involving the UK Border Force and other international and regional organizations.

Dr Mikuriya also had an on-site visit to observe Customs operations on marina, ferry and cargo terminals linking small island economies in the Caribbean region.  He appreciated the opportunity to examine the reality of Customs administrations in the Caribbean region and also the possibilities for the future, including regional integration.