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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville is pictured centre as he welcomes Eamonn Sheehy, Customs Consultant, Ministry of Finance, to Grand Bahama. Minister Darville and Mr. Sheehy joined in announcing the staging of the World Customs Organization IT Conference and Exhibition on Grand Bahama in May. Left to right are: Sherrick Martin, Assistant Comptroller of Customs; William Poitier, Deputy Comptroller of Bahamas Customs; Minister Darville; Mr. Sheehy; and Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Grand Bahama. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)
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FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Grand Bahama Island will play host to a major International Customs conclave in early May. The 2015 World Customs Organization IT Conference and Exhibition is set for May 6th – 8th at Grand Lucayan Resort, and is expected to attract hundreds of participants from around the world.
Making that announcement Thursday at the Ministry for Grand Bahama was the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville.
He was accompanied by Eamonn Sheehy, Customs Consultant with the Ministry of Finance, William Poitier, Deputy Comptroller of Bahamas Customs, and Sherrick Martin, Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Grand Bahama.
Work is already underway to make the conclave an exciting one. A number of other stakeholders, including officials from the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Police Department, Defence Force, Port Lucaya, Freeport Container Port, Ministry of Tourism, hoteliers and others involved in the tourism trade attended the press briefing.
Under the theme “Inclusiveness Through Information Technologies” participants in the three-day conclave will be exploring ways in which modern information and communications technology can lead to exciting possibilities for countries to connect to global and regional chains.
Attending will be Customs authorities, representatives from border and other regulatory agencies, the IT sector, the broader business community, governmental and trade organizations, development partners, lending institutions and others involved in the international trade arena.
Minister Darville stated the WCO Conference is held annually in different countries including Mexico, USA, Ireland, Spain, Malaysia, South Africa, Belgium, Dubai, and Australia to name a few.
“This is the first time it is being held in the Caribbean and I am pleased that the Island of Grand Bahama was selected for the venue. The WCO has 179 member countries and it is expected that delegates from all those countries will be in attendance at this conference,” the Minister said.
Additionally, he said that prior to the three-day conclave there will be a two-day workshop on May 4th and 5th 2015 at the Grand Lucayan for Customs Officials only of the Continent of Americas Region of WCO.
The Conference is expected to host some 500 plus delegates accompanied by other country representatives, as well as members of their families.
The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Mr. Kuino Mikuriyay, and a number of Director Generals or Comptroller of Customs will be in attendance.
“I am pleased that another international conference will be held on Grand Bahama, which will attract hundreds of visitors to our shore, inject much needed resources into our local economy, create numerous prospects for the international exposure of our state-of-the-art harbour and infrastructure and by extension, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for our residents,” the Minister for Grand Bahama said.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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