Paul Anthony Hilaire is a Saint Lucian economist and trade expert with more than three decades of professional experience in customs modernisation, trade facilitation, and economic development across the Caribbean. He holds advanced academic qualifications, including an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London (SOAS) and a BSc in Economics with Management from the University of the West Indies. He is also pursuing doctoral studies in Global Supply Chain Management at Walden University.

Mr. Hilaire began his career as a Customs Officer in Saint Lucia before advancing through senior roles in the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Commerce, where he contributed to the development of national and regional trade and industrial policies. He went on to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Free Zone Management Authority, where he successfully established the Saint Lucia Free Zone and crafted its policy framework, and later as Chief Operating Officer of the Windward Islands Banana Development and Exporting Company (WIBDECO), managing multinational operations and spearheading industry modernisation and diversification efforts.

From 2008 to 2016, Mr. Hilaire served as Permanent Secretary of the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC), an intergovernmental organisation of 32 member states. In this role, he advanced customs reform and modernisation programmes, developed the CCLEC Advanced Diploma in Customs Management with the University of Canberra, and oversaw the implementation of regional initiatives such as the common yacht clearance form, a regional valuation database, and the early adoption of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and trusted trader programmes.

Since July 2023, Mr. Hilaire has been serving as Permanent Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Youth Economy in Saint Lucia. In this capacity, he has played an extensive role in shaping national policy to drive sustainable growth, strengthen institutional capacity, and enhance the country’s economic planning framework. His leadership has focused on balancing economic growth with social equity, advancing policy reforms in trade, investment, andpublic sector efficiency, and ensuring the alignment of national development priorities with regional and international commitments.

As the national focal point for the UN Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF), he has coordinated Saint Lucia’s 2024–2025 Country Implementation Plan, driving interventions across health, education, climate resilience, biodiversity, social protection, and gender equality. He has also championed the Agriculture and Fisheries Census, funded by the World Bank under the OECS “Data for Decision-Making” initiative, emphasising the centrality of data-driven policies for resource allocation and national development.

Mr. Hilaire has supported innovation and digital transformation, notably through the AI Forum at the Saint Lucia–Taiwan Partnership Trade Show in November 2024, and continues to oversee Saint Lucia’s engagement with the Green Climate Fund as National Designated Authority, advocating for streamlined access to climate financing. His representation as Alternate Director on the Board of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) further underscores his role in regional development policy and financing.In addition to his government and consultancy work, Mr. Hilaire has contributed to academia as a lecturer in economics at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and as a course developer and trainer in customs and trade facilitation for CARICOM, CARIFORUM, and the University of Canberra. He has also held leadership roles on the boards of the Saint Lucia Fish Marketing Corporation and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority.