As a key partner of the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), we are pleased to join in the observance of Customs Week 2017 and to welcome the focus on the critical importance of technology and big data in the effective management of our national borders.

The Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association of Jamaica (CBFFAJ) throws its weight fully behind the continuing efforts of the JCA to improve the use and application of cutting edge technologies in the myriad of transactional processes associated with the movement of goods in and out of the island.

In this regard, the CBFFAJ remains a strong supporter of ASYCUDA, notwithstanding the challenges, which still hamper the effective implementation of the system. We remain committed to working closely with the JCA team by sincerely sharing our user experiences and recommendations for optimal use and deployment of this system that is so vital to the present and future commercial interest of our members and the trade and commerce sector overall.

As the premier professional grouping of the nation’s customs brokers and freight forwarders for the past 50 years, we see a future of great opportunities and growth for the Customs Brokering and Freight Forwarding Industry.

We know that new investors in our economy will want to be assured of global certification, for example, in the ‘handling of dangerous goods’ and other complex services. We are rising to meet the challenges by building out increased capacity in our businesses. We are also pursuing new business models and opportunities such as re-packaging, customised warehousing, heavy equipment rental (such as forklift and pallet jacks) and logistics; as the changing face of our business will require greater degrees of specialization in the services we offer.

As we deepen our relationship with the JCA, the over 200-members of the CBFFAJ embrace the new, agile technologies in our industry to deliver premium, world-class value to our customers, as well as to support the anticipated higher levels of throughput expected at our ports of entry.

In so doing, our goal must be the achievement of an environment that fosters and reinforces a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. Any limitations we now see must be re-designed by the force of our vision to collaborate and act together, which is in alignment with the CBFFAJ’s mission:

To promote and uphold the highest professional standard in our industry;

To be a source of the most credible industry related information;

To seek to broaden public understanding of the customs brokerage and freight forwarding process and;

To serve as a strong advocate for the interest of our members, this, towards the sustainable development of our profession.

On the occasion of Customs Week 2017, the CBFFAJ again offers our warm congratulations to the Jamaica Customs Agency. We look forward to building on the important gains of our symbiotic partnership over these past five decades.

Marcia A. Bent

President, Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders

Association of Jamaica (CBFFAJ)