Gerard Mclinden is a Senior Trade Facilitation Specialist in International Trade Department of the World Bank. Gerard joined the World Bank as a Senior Trade Facilitation Specialist in January 2004. He is responsible for the design, development, implementation and supervision of a range of customs, trade facilitation and border management initiatives and projects. He also represents the World Bank in the WTO negotiations on trade facilitation.  

Prior to joining the World Bank, he worked as a Senior Technical Officer in the World Customs Organization (WCO). During his time in the WCO he contributed to the WCO’s Customs Reform and Modernization program as well as a range of good governance, capacity building and training and technical assistance initiatives. Prior to joining the WCO, he served a four-year term as the Senior Australian Customs Representative for the Asian region based in the Australian Embassy in Japan. 

Gerard has over 25 years experience in the Australian Customs Service including senior appointments at the Director level in a variety of disciplines. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Political Science from the Australian National University, an Advanced Diploma in Quality Management and a Masters Degree in Management (Public Sector). He has represented the World Bank, the WCO and Australian Customs on official missions to over 70 countries and has undertaken consultancy assignments on behalf of a range of national and international organizations.