Imagine an island nation, blessed with a prime geographic location and thriving tourism, aspiring to carve out a larger role on the global trade stage. For the Bahamas, this vision hinges on joining the World Trade Organization (WTO)—a milestone requiring a modern, efficient customs system as its foundation. Now, a partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO) is paving the way for this Caribbean country to turn its ambitions into reality.
The WTO Accession Challenge
Known for its pristine beaches and luxury resorts, the Bahamas is actively pursuing WTO membership to unlock broader market access, economic diversification, and sustainable growth. However, meeting WTO standards demands a comprehensive overhaul of its customs operations—boosting efficiency, transparency, and compliance. To address this, the Bahamian government enlisted the WCO’s expertise, launching a two-year capacity-building initiative.
The WCO Training Program: A Three-Pillar Approach
At the invitation of Dr. Geannine Moss, Comptroller of the Bahamas Customs and Excise Department, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Nassau on March 22, 2018, to inaugurate the training program. Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, the project encompasses 26 tasks across three core areas:
- Organizational Development: Streamlining customs structures and processes by adopting advanced IT systems, risk management tools, and interagency collaboration frameworks.
- Human Resources: Enhancing officers’ technical skills through training in customs valuation, commodity classification, origin rules, intellectual property enforcement, and trade facilitation.
- Governance: Strengthening transparency and accountability via behavioral codes, internal controls, and public engagement mechanisms.
Leadership Perspectives
At a press conference, Secretary General Mikuriya underscored his confidence in the program, citing the professionalism of Bahamian customs officials demonstrated during the 2015 WCO IT Conference in Freeport. He expressed hopes for the Bahamas to emerge as a regional model, noting the Caribbean’s priority status in WCO’s capacity-building strategy.
Dr. Moss emphasized the partnership’s strategic goal: aligning her team’s expertise with global standards to advance trade facilitation and implement a "single window" system—a unified digital platform for submitting import/export documents.
On-the-Ground Insights
During field visits to ports and airports, Mikuriya observed customs clearance and post-valuation operations, urging the adoption of WCO best practices to refine risk management—a critical tool for combating illicit trade while optimizing resource allocation.
Broader Implications
The WCO’s capacity-building strategy aims to empower developing nations to modernize customs operations, fostering trade efficiency, revenue growth, and societal safety. For the Bahamas, the program represents a pivotal step toward WTO accession, though challenges like resource constraints and technical gaps remain. Success will hinge on sustained government support and cross-border collaboration.
If executed effectively, the initiative could position the Bahamas as a Caribbean trailblazer, showcasing how robust customs frameworks catalyze economic growth—and reinforcing the WCO’s role as a linchpin of global trade governance.