Members of the special Agents and Customs Brokers Committee from left: Stacy-Ann Barnes, research, projects and communications officer for the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ); André Rochester, freight manager, Maritime and Transport Services; Simone Chamberlain, secretary for the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica (CBFFAJ); Christopher Kennedy, president of the CBFFAJ; and Christine Johnston, head of marketing for Jamaica Fruit and Shipping. Missing are Donavan Martin, chair for the SAJ Agents Committee and Yahneake Sterling, public relations assistant for the SAJ. - contributed

A special committee, comprising Shipping Agents, and Customs Brokers has been formed to enhance business relations between the two groups. Charged with the mandate of undertaking special projects to enhance trade facilitation in Jamaica, the committee is also devoted to creating a closer working relationship among shipping agents, customs brokers, freight forwarders and other key players in the shipping industry. The committee will also focus on removing bottlenecks and delays in shipping operations.

The committee was suggested by Christopher Kennedy, president of the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica (CBFFAJ). Kennedy made the suggestion during a presentation at a Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) agents meeting in May.

The objectives of the committee are:

To partner in areas that will make the shipping process better by addressing and resolving general discrepancies and issues between the two organisations.

To improve logistics competence in such a way that Jamaica will become known and recognised as one of the best logistical destinations, and to facilitate an understanding among parties to improve the movement of cargo in and out of Jamaica.

To conduct joint training to create awareness of the requirements of agents, brokers and Customs.

The members of the committee were chosen by their peers in the industry. They are: Christopher Kennedy; T. Leo Samuels, past president of the CBFFAJ; Simone Chamberlain, secretary of the CBFFAJ; Donavan Martin, chair of the SAJ Agents Committee; Christine Johnston, head of marketing, Jamaica Fruit and Shipping; and Andre Rochester, freight manager, Maritime and Transport Services. Stacy-Ann Barnes, research, projects and communications officer, and Yahneake Sterling, Public relations assistant, both of the SAJ, will be in charge of communications for the committee.