The World Bank-funded OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project (ORTCP),  is being implemented in Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia with one of the key objectives being the facilitation of the movement of tourists within the participating countries using ferries.

It is against this background that a request by the Customs and Excise Department to the Ministry of Tourism was fulfilled under the ORTCP.

Project Manager, Dr. Lorraine Nicholas, noted the importance of the Ferry Terminal to Saint Lucia’s tourism travel sector, while the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Information, Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries, Ms. Donalyn Vittet, said the ferry terminal plays an integral role in the Caribbean travel market—particularly between Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dominica—and as such, outfitting the facility with the necessary technology and infrastructure will benefit the industry.

Acting Comptroller of Customs, Peter Chiquot welcomed the baggage scanner. He said that the use of such technologies will improve the department’s risk management capabilities.

The Customs Officers received training in the use of the baggage scanner by the Director of Technical Services at Sectus Technologies. A baggage carousel has also been provided and will be installed at the Ferry Terminal.