A senior officer in Antigua and Barbuda’s Customs and Excise Division has been highlighted by the World Customs Organization (WCO) as the organisation marked the conclusion of its Small Island Economies (SIEs) Scholarship Programme.
Salim Browne, a Senior Customs Officer, was among 30 officials from 19 small island nations selected to participate in the initiative, which delivered three intensive editions of academic and practical training between 2023 and 2025. Browne represented Antigua and Barbuda throughout the programme, which the WCO says is designed to strengthen customs capacity, leadership and technical expertise within vulnerable island economies.
The SIEs Scholarship Programme, funded through the WCO-Customs Cooperation Fund-Korea, focused on core areas of modern customs administration, including risk management, border security, trade facilitation and international cooperation. Participants received structured training over a three-month period in each edition, blending classroom instruction with field-based learning.
The WCO noted that the programme was created to help small island states respond more effectively to the pressures of global trade, emerging security risks and rapid technological change. With limited resources and high dependence on imports, the organisation says customs agencies in small island economies face unique operational challenges.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Customs and Excise Division has praised Browne’s contribution, stating that his participation strengthens the country’s ongoing efforts to modernise its customs systems and align national practices with international standards. The Division said the skills gained through the programme will support work already underway to improve service delivery, enhance border protection and streamline trade processes.
The final edition of the scholarship brought together officials from across the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific, including representatives from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Papua New Guinea, the Maldives and Seychelles.
The WCO described the conclusion of the programme as a significant milestone in its capacity-building agenda, adding that the network formed among participating officers is expected to support long-term cooperation among small island customs administrations.
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Congratulations, Kip. Keep striving forward. Good look on the Customs and Excise Division.
Over and over I have said this- We do have bright minds that can run every department of government in Antigua and Barbuda. Yet our political leaders past and present see it fit to bring in people to run key areas. The UPP brought in an Indian gentleman to head the customs. The ABLP continued with him. So he has been here making a wapping 27,000.00 per month, carrying a diplomatic passport, provided with accommodation, utilities, transportation. His annual per diem is more than the average citizen salary. He is in the center of the VechicleGate scandal, had left the country and now returned , I guess since there will be no independent transparent investigation. Since his forced resignation and in this the busy Christmas season, the customs is being ran by our own people at the highest and most accountable standards. Yet our government/ politicians seed it fit to continue with a foreign port manager and Airport manager and when we need people to fill these positions we look outside. Like they the politicians are the only Antiguans capable of holding the high offices.
So a young lady enters politics and overnight she can become the Minister of two of the most powerful areas in government. Someone with no previous job experience. Not saying that she is not capable- just pointing out how these politicians operate. Then a next young man jumped ship. He too had no experience in government and immediately was handed the ministry of Agriculture and lands. Yet civil servants with impeccable characters , very experienced, intelligent, level headed like Mr.Cleve Joseph cannot be seen fit to run our customs and take home the same salary. ( Cleve don’t turn it down if it is offered to you, you are a gentleman. You respect people. You say no without insulting and people feel comfortable when you say, I cannot assist you. The customs regulations don’t allow me to do this ). I had that experience with you firm and respectable.
So what our politicians are telling us that they alone overnight can run ministries. Yet the qualified Antiguans are incapable.
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