Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville on Wednesday officially welcomed delegates from some seventy-two countries to Grand Bahama Island, site of the World Customs Organization IT Conference and Exhibition.
The three-day conclave which centers around inclusiveness through information technologies, has as its theme: “IT for an Inclusive Approach in Connecting Customs and Other Stakeholders in Inter and Intra-Regional Trade.”
The Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas was in Grand Bahama Wednesday to officially open the conference and exhibition.
Other senior Government officials attending the opening session at the Grand Lucayan Resort were Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe; Transport and Aviation Minister the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin; and the Hon. Michael Halkitis, Minister of State for Finance.
Dr. Darville took note of the fact that the WCO Conference is being held in the Caribbean for the first time and said he was “elated” that the World Customs Organization had chosen Grand Bahama Island as its host destination.
“As Minister for Grand Bahama, I extend my appreciation on behalf of the people of Grand Bahama, to the World Customs Organization and the hundreds of delegates from around the world, who have come to our beautiful island to discuss innovative ways of connecting stakeholders, and address the global challenges we face with cross-border trade,” he stated.
The Minister for Grand Bahama was also pleased that many government and non-government organizations, many customs brokerage houses, shipping and manufacturing companies from across Grand Bahama would get an opportunity to be exposed to new innovative customs solutions by some of the leading experts from around the world.
“I trust that in general, these sessions will be fruitful and that every delegate, whether international or local, will leave this conference with a wealth of knowledge that will promote best practices and foster cooperation and coordination between government and non-government agencies in your respective communities and countries,” Dr. Darville said.
He also encouraged the visiting delegates to take time out of their busy schedule to enjoy the friendly Bahamian hospitality and enjoy all that Grand Bahama has to offer.
Also addressing the opening session Wednesday was Charles Turner, Comptroller of Bahamas Customs.
He said that the conference comes at an opportune time for his organization, as the Bahamas Customs and Excise Department is currently engaged in a major Customs modernization programme, funded through an Inter-American Development Bank loan.
“While the programme covers every facet of Customs operations, at its heart is the implementation of a Bahamas regulatory Electric Single Window,” he said. He also stressed that the Conference will showcase new application technologies and methodologies which can provide greater trade facilitation to commercial operators while also improving compliance levels and border control.
Mr. Turner further stated that it is his belief that the conference will also provide a valuable opportunity to explore how governments and industry can work more closely to drive and contribute to economic competitiveness.
Delegates attending the opening session also heard from Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization.
