This week, Anguilla began hosting the 36th Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) conference for the first time, and Chief Minister Hubert Hughes has expressed delight over this. “I am proud because Anguilla has the resources and the wherewithal to host a conference of this magnitude,” he stated at the opening ceremony at CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa on Tuesday, May 13. “Additionally, it always gives me a deep sense of pride when institutions of our Caribbean region are at the forefront in relation to initiatives that affect our region.”
The conference has not only attracted leading customs officials and other delegates from the Caribbean, but from countries such as France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom as well. The conference opened under the theme: “The Role of Customs in Economic Development”.
Commenting on theme, Chief Minister Hughes said in part: “This theme is relevant at all times but it takes on a special meaning at this time. [This is] because the whole economic development paradigm is under review as new approaches are being sought in light of the well-documented economic and financial crisis of the last few years.
“There has always been the distinction between economic growth and economic development, where economic growth does not necessarily ensure economic development…As a result of economic growth there is the chance of accomplishing economic development embracing all the social issues involved.”
Chief Minister Hughes told the delegates that “in Anguilla, the role of the Customs Department in economic growth and development is an important one.” He went on: “To begin with, import duty and other customs-related fees are important sources of Government revenue. Let it be clear, revenue collected by the Customs Department is not being promoted as economic growth and development of itself. The collection of this revenue, however, opens up opportunities for the Government of Anguilla to use this revenue to finance capital projects which will subsequently enhance Gross Domestic Product, the universal measure of economic growth.”
The Chief Minister also emphasised that, apart from Customs Duty, Anguilla was largely dependent on tourism. He urged customs officers to be both polite and professional when rendering services to locals and visitors at the ports of entry, and to diffuse situations that can impact economic development. Mr Hughes also spoke about the drug epidemic which “has caused death through violence and addiction” leading to addicts becoming a liability to the state. He noted that Customs Departments in the region were continuing to be key players “in the fight against drugs, using intelligence, covert operations, instinct and force” among other measures, including confiscating drugs thus contributing to economic development.
Meanwhile, Mr Stanley Reid, the Acting Governor of Anguilla, made this point: “In examining ‘The Role of Customs in Economic Development’, the need for officers to consistently display high levels of professionalism, manifesting itself in effectiveness, efficiency and courtesy, should not be ignored.”
Mr Reid, a one-time Customs Assistant, continued: “Officers are expected to efficiently, effectively and courteously execute their revenue collection and border control duties so that residents and visitors, engaged in legitimate business, consider themselves to have been treated as valued customers. A significant part of economic activity in Caribbean territories is based on tourism-related activities, hence the treatment accorded tourists often comes to the fore.”
The Acting Governor also stated: “It is important for Customs officials to be conscious that displaying consistent professionalism can positively affect the timely flow of cash in our various Treasury Departments. These monies are used to fund education, health and infrastructural initiatives. How Customs officers interact with customers can determine whether our countries are treated as preferred destinations. For Customs officials, it should therefore be obvious that just doing your jobs is not enough. How you do it is vital.”
Dr Aidan Harrigan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, observed that “Customs Administrations play a key role in trade facilitation” and that “they are of consequence key stakeholders in the economic development process”.
He further said: “As small open economies, trade is even of greater importance to Caribbean countries and of consequence the role of Customs. The global financial and economic crisis of 2008 has had a marked impact on Caribbean countries and most of us are still struggling to rebound from that shock. It is widely acknowledged that to rebuild Caribbean economies, and to make them more resilient to future shocks, will require efforts to build economies which are internationally competitive. Again, since Customs is an important agent in the global trade process, it can significantly impact the competitiveness of countries.”
Mr Paul Hilaire, Permanent Secretary for the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council, commended Anguilla for hosting the conference, stating that it was an opportunity that larger countries looked forward to. He summarised the addresses delivered by Anguilla’s three speakers, mentioned above, and was supportive of the various matters they spoke about.
During the opening ceremony, welcome remarks were delivered by Mr Glen Hodge, Deputy Comptroller of Customs. The Master of Ceremonies was Mr Travis Carty, another Deputy Comptroller of Customs.
The agenda for the conference included presentations on the WCO Global Container Control Programme; the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Agency; the WCO Economic Competiveness Package; the WCO Traded Facilitation Package; and matters relating to the work of the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL).
