In the fast-moving world of international trade, few professionals combine strategic clarity, operational depth, and global perspective as seamlessly as Kieshon Rawlins. Based in Bridgetown, Barbados, Kieshon has built a reputation as an International Trade Consultant who thrives in complexity, guiding companies through procurement challenges, supply chain disruptions, and financial risk with precision and poise. With more than 15 years of experience across logistics, trade finance, and global operations, he has become a trusted voice for businesses navigating increasingly unpredictable markets.
Beyond his work in trade, Kieshon brings a multidisciplinary edge to everything he does. His background spans project management, digital communications, luxury real estate development, and technology, allowing him to approach international trade not as a single function, but as an interconnected ecosystem. In this conversation, he shares his philosophy, his journey, and what businesses need to understand to succeed in today’s global trade environment.
Q: You’ve built your career in international trade. What initially drew you to this field?
Kieshon Rawlins: I was drawn to international trade because it sits at the intersection of strategy, operations, and real-world impact. Early in my career, I saw how one delayed shipment or misclassified tariff could disrupt entire businesses. That fascinated me. I wanted to understand the chaos and learn how to structure it. Over time, I realized my strength was in guiding companies through that complexity and helping them secure their place at what I often call “the round table” of global commerce.
Q: You have over 15 years of experience managing 5PL operations. How does that experience shape the way you advise clients today?
Kieshon Rawlins: Managing 5PL operations teaches you to think beyond just transport or storage. You’re looking at the entire network: carriers, warehouses, customs brokers, inspection agencies, and financial instruments all working together. It taught me that efficiency is not about speed alone. It’s about structure, predictability, and risk management. Today, when I advise clients, I help them design systems that are resilient even when geopolitical shifts, regulatory changes, or environmental factors create disruption.
Q: Your LinkedIn profile reflects expertise across procurement, warehousing, quality assurance, and trade finance. How do these areas connect in real-world trade?
Kieshon Rawlins: They are inseparable. Procurement sets the foundation by selecting reliable suppliers. Warehousing affects how quickly you can move product. Quality assurance protects your brand and reduces costly recalls or rejections. Trade finance ensures that buyers and sellers are protected through instruments like Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees. If one part of that chain is weak, the entire operation becomes fragile. My role is to align all of these elements so they function as a single, cohesive system.
Q: You’ve worked across regions like China, Germany, Vietnam, the UAE, and the Americas. What are the biggest challenges companies face when operating internationally?
Kieshon Rawlins: The biggest challenges are usually compliance and communication. Every country has its own regulatory framework, documentation standards, and cultural approach to business. I’ve seen strong companies struggle simply because they didn’t understand country-of-origin rules, tariff classifications, or inspection standards like those handled by SGS, Alfred H. Knight, or CNAS. My job is to bridge those gaps, align expectations, and make sure the process is seamless from factory floor to final destination.
Q: You also have experience in luxury real estate development, marketing, and full-stack development. How do these skills influence your work as an International Trade Consultant?
Kieshon Rawlins: Those areas sharpen my perspective. Real estate development taught me project discipline and risk planning. Marketing and digital communications taught me how important perception and positioning are in international business. Full-stack development trained me to think in systems and architecture. While my primary focus is international trade, these additional skills allow me to see opportunities that others might miss and help clients build stronger operational frameworks beyond just logistics.
Q: You currently work with Euro Exim Bank. What role does trade finance play in modern global trade?
Kieshon Rawlins: Trade finance is the backbone of trust in international business. Instruments like Letters of Credit (LCs), Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs), and Bank Guarantees (BGs) protect both buyers and sellers. At Euro Exim Bank, my focus is on structuring these instruments correctly, overseeing quality assurance through providers like SGS and CIC, and ensuring full compliance with customs, tariff classifications, and valuation requirements. When trade finance is structured properly, it unlocks growth and reduces fear on both sides of the transaction.
Q: What advice would you give to founders, agencies, or companies that want to improve their global trade operations?
Kieshon Rawlins: First, invest in structure before speed. Many companies want to grow fast, but they don’t build strong foundations. Second, don’t treat compliance as a formality. It’s a strategic advantage when done well. Third, build relationships with credible partners such as freight forwarders, customs brokers, and inspection agencies. And finally, work with professionals who understand the full picture, from procurement to financial instruments, not just one isolated part of the process.
As global trade becomes more complex, professionals like Kieshon Rawlins are redefining what it means to lead in this space. His work is rooted in precision, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to building systems that last. While his expertise spans real estate, marketing, and technology, his core remains firmly anchored in international trade, where structured thinking and disciplined execution deliver the greatest impact.
Looking forward, Kieshon continues to deepen his focus on technology-enabled trade solutions and mentorship, helping prepare the next generation of trade professionals for a rapidly changing world. For businesses seeking clarity in global operations, his approach remains consistent: simplify the chaos, protect the transaction, and build sustainable frameworks for growth.
For latest updates, connect with Kieshon Rawlins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieshon-rawlins-082548b4.
