Jamaica to host customs confab

Jamaica will host the sixth International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations (IFCBA) world conference between June 20 and 24.

Outlining plans for the conference at a media briefing Friday morning, president of the Customs Brokers Association of Jamaica (CBAJ) Hyacinth Chantrielle criticized the local method of doing business in relation to the movement of goods and services.

"When we go to these international meetings as we have been doing for several years, and hear of the ease and the alacrity with which customs matters are handled, despite the existence of necessary strictures which ensure compliance, we are amazed," she said. "It also probably explains the increasing level of frustration which we in the customs broking profession experience on a daily basis as we seek to serve our clients."

Mrs. Chantrielle reiterated a call for the modernisation process to be expedited as it relates to the local customs business processes.

"Today we live in a global village being made smaller each day by technology. If Jamaica hopes to stay abreast of world trends, we cannot continue using systems which are archaic and time-consuming, and negate productivity," she explained.

"That is one of the reasons why we have extended invitations to several trade-related organisations and other interest groups to be represented at the conference whose participants will include representatives from the World Trade Organisation and the United States Customs Service.

"We also expect to have delegations from several Caribbean territories including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana as Jamaica is spearheading the move for wider Caribbean membership in the International Federation as well as the formation of a Caribbean Customs Broking Group," Mrs. Chantrielle added.

A sidebar to the conference will be CBAJ Past President Ivanhoe Ricketts's bid to become president of the IFCBA. Mr. Ricketts currently holds the post of first vice-president.

Delegates are scheduled to begin arriving on June 15, and registration will commence on June 19. The conference will be declared officially open by Deputy Prime Minister Seymour Mullings on June 20. In the days following there will be panel discussions on hot-button issues, such as "Who is Setting the Customs Agenda?", and several worshops will examine topics such as the "FTAA and Customs", "Caribbean Customs and Trade Issues", and global harmonisation initiatives.

One of the highlights of the conference will be the staging of a mini-expo, which will allow local companies and manufacturers to display their products. Participants will also get an opportunity to see local attractions during tours of Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Montego Bay and Kingston.

The theme for the conference is "A Beacon for the New Millennium: Shedding Light on the Complexities of Global Trade".

The conference will culminate on June 23 with a grand awards dinner and dance.

Back to News