The International Federation of Customs Brokers (IFCBA) celebrated its 25th anniversary with meetings at the World Customs Organization (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on 18-19 May 2015. The meetings were highlighted by an opening discussion with WCO Secretary General Mr. Kunio Mikuriya regarding issues of mutual concern such as customs broker regulation and the important role played by customs brokers in assisting small and medium sized enterprises enter and succeed in the global marketplace. During the talks, IFCBA Chairman Mr. Shantanu Bhadkamkar confirmed the IFCBA’s commitment to further collaboration with the WCO particularly with regard to enhancing the value that customs brokers deliver to their national economies.
WCO technical experts continued the partnership by leading discussions on topics such as Implications of the Trade Facilitation Agreement for Customs Brokers and Customs-Business Partnerships – A Shared Agenda. IFCBA Directors left the meetings with up to date information and messages that will be delivered to customs brokers in their home countries where they are the leading customs compliance experts.
During the meetings, the IFCBA elected a new Managing Director, Mr. Ge Jizhong from the China Customs Brokers Association. This was particularly momentous as CCBA and the city of Shanghai will host the 2016 World conference of the IFCBA.
The IFCBA was founded in 1990 during a gathering of representatives from ten national customs brokers associations. Since that time the IFCBA commitment to bringing about improvements in Customs policies and practices on a global basis, has resulted in heightened recognition of the critical role played by customs brokers in trade facilitation and compliance. The IFCBA Secretariat is based in Ottawa, Canada.
Further information:
| Chairman Shantanu Bhadkamkar | Secretary Carol West |
| +36(30)350-7536 | 613.562.3543 |
