by Khaila Gentle

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Oct. 4, 2022

The Caribbean Association of Customs Brokers (CACUB) convened last week to discuss ways to improve trade within the region. The Regional Customs Brokers Conference, titled “the 21st Century Customs Broker” took place at the Belize Biltmore Plaza over a two-day period and had the participation of customs brokers from a number of CARICOM member states, including Belize, Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica, and more.

The president of the Caribbean Association of Customs Brokers, Delroy Fairweather, gave an opening address at the start of the conference, during which he noted that the trade industry has had to find ways to persist, even in the face of a pandemic and natural disasters.

“As customs brokers, we remain true to the cause of ensuring that trade continues unimpeded and uninterrupted,” he added.

The convening of the region’s customs brokers is timely, as CARICOM nations continue to grapple with the effects that the pandemic had on regional trade as well as the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on global supply chains.

According to Fairweather, planning the regional conference was not without challenges, including the navigation of travel logistics, since most participants had to fly to Belize by way of the United States—a route which is both costly and inconvenient.

“We continue to underscore the need for our CARICOM heads of government to open discussion for the possibility of flights within the region,” said the CACUB president.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, Hon. Eamon Courtenay was also a speaker at the event. He highlighted the importance of having such a conference.

“This is a gathering, as has been said, of people who are essential to international trade, especially the movement of goods across borders. Customs brokers across the world are at the forefront of ensuring that businesses and people get whatever inputs and consumables they desire and require,” said Hon. Courtenay.