Monday September 25, 2006
AFIF & CBFCA create an umbrella body for
international representation
Dear {Firstname},
The Australian International Forwarding and Customs broking industry will henceforth be represented as one single industry in the World body, FIATA.
At the Annual General Meeting of the FIATA World Congress, held in Shanghai on September 21st, the members voted to admit the Federation of International Forwarders and Customs Brokers of Australia (FIFCBA) as full national association members.
FIFCBA is an 'umbrella' organisation created by AFIF & the CBFCA to represent it's combined membership at international level. It's first action was to apply to join FIATA and replace the single membership held previously by AFIF.
Following acceptance of the application by FIATA, the respective chairmen of AFIF and CBFCA commented that "it would create opportunities for the Australian industry to participate and contribute in the future towards standardisation of procedures in Airfreight and Seafreight movements, with the aim of also establishing common platforms for:-
- Electronic Carriage Documents
- Customs reporting standards and regulations
- Security measures, including authorised operator programs
Other matters which the umbrella organisation for Australia can address include trade practice and cartel issues in international carriage, whilst maintaining the benefits of cooperation between carriers. Also a worldwide desire to convert customs formalities in all major trading countries to electronic processes, will involve AFIF and CBFCA as participants in global discssions."
FIATA senior officials and member countries present at the World Congress in Shanghai expressed delight at the creation of the umbrella organisation of FIFCBA and the two-way benefits that this would bring to the industry, adding that it was the result of significant and resolute cooperation between AFIF, CBFCA and FIATA that had brought about this important outcome.
Kind regards,
Brian Lovell
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Federation of International Forwarders Ltd (AFIF)
Suite 403, Level 3
152 Bunnerong Road
Eastgardens
NSW 2036
Tel: (61 2) 9314 3055
Fax: (61 2) 9314 3116