Sainte-Lucie

The World Bank provided support with this measure in 2024 that resulted in an assessment report with recommendations to enhance the application of risk management by the Customs & Excise Department and other Border Regulatory Agencies (BRAs). Since then, the Customs & Excise Department has re-instated a Risk Management Unit (RMU) and has drafted a Risk Management Strategy. Members of the recently convened RMU are currently completing virtual training on Risk Management provided by the World Customs Organization.

The Customs declaration processing system, ASYCUDA World, allows for the identification and notification of the importation of high-risk consignments of interest to other BRAs. However, the selectivity module within ASYCUDA World is not currently being fully used to determine which consignments are controlled. Instead, selectivity is often determined by manual scrutiny of hard copy documents for commercial goods. Some non customs BRAs apply a risk-based approach to issuance of LPCOs based on commodity classification.

Further technical assistance is required from the World Bank to ensure a system-based risk management process is implemented and applied for all BRAs in a consistent and transparent manner. Support includes establishing an overarching compliance strategy, developing risk management frameworks, establishing functional risk management committees (and an inter-agency committee), and providing capacity building for the RMU, as well as support in the area of change management. All these support activities will ensure that the application of effective risk management is systematic and sustainable.

It is anticipated that these activities can be completed by June 2027.