CARICOM CUSTOMS – Website for international event

An ambitious project to harmonize the customs laws of the entire CARICOM region was launched in the early part of the 21st century, spearheaded by the Caribbean Executive Committee.

Harmonization, a long-sought-after goal which would provide businesses with consistent treatment by customs throughout the region, represented a major step in improving the economies of every CARICOM nation.

Agreement on the Bill was finally reached in mid-August 2014 for member states of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

However, one outstanding issue remained: the drafting of regulations. CARICOM engaged a consultancy company with the support of the ACP Business Climate Facility (BizClim), and the final phase of the project was set in motion.

All CARICOM countries were visited to determine their current legal status, and the resulting regulations were drafted.

Policy makers gathered at two high-level meetings in February 2015 (Antigua & Barbuda) and March (Guyana) 2015 to deliberate on the draft regulations which, once agreed upon, brought significant change to the CARICOM region.

These joint meetings of the Comptrollers of Customs and the Chief Parliamentary Counsel of the CARICOM countries represented the final sprint to the finish line of a long and sometimes arduous journey to successfully produce a Harmonized Customs Bill, complete with regulations, for the entire CARICOM region.

The significance of this achievement was considerable – indeed momentous – as it allowed businesses and trading partners throughout the region an unprecedented level of predictability and transparency in the activities of customs administrations, along with the assurance that wherever they traded within the region, their treatment would be even-handed and fair.

BKP Development commissioned DEV4U to develop the website promoting the two aforementioned events.

Project URL: caricom-customs.com