Collaborative effort aims to improve legitimate trade and investment in the Caribbean

Willemstad, Curaçao – August 26, 2014 – The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC), and Curinde conducted a training program to educate Curaçao Customs authorities and the Public Persecutor on the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the country’s free trade zones (FTZs). A 2013 report by the International Chamber of Commerce notes that while FTZs such as those in Curaçao are beneficial to international trade, they’re also vulnerable to exploitation by counterfeiters and other criminal enterprises. “Illicit trafficking through free trade zones has been identified as a growing concern in recent years, and such smuggling is seen as an impediment to growth and investment in Curaçao’s legitimate economy,” said Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Stanley Palm. “This training emphasizes the importance of the development of the Freezone for our economy and our efforts to create a Freezone where fair competition is guaranteed.” At the training, instructors from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) directorate shared their knowledge and expertise with local Customs authorities responsible for illicit trade enforcement in Curaçao’s FTZs. Certificates of completion were presented to participants upon completion of the training. “The IACC applauds the Minister of Economic Development and Curinde for their leadership on these issues in Curaçao and throughout the Caribbean and we are happy to be of assistance to Curinde and the stakeholders in facilitating this training,” said Mr. Barchiesi, President of IACC. “The IACC recognizes the Caribbean as a critical trade area in the world, and greatly values the expansion of international partnerships to this region through our agreement with Curinde and Curaçao.” In May of this year, Curinde and the IACC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of increasing cooperation on intellectual property enforcement operations and other areas of mutual interest.