A NEW entity to be known as the International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia (IFCBAA) – the merger of the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia and Australian Federation of International Forwarders – starts operation today.
The stated mission of IFCBAA is to be the single and most influential voice for the international freight forwarders and customs brokers in Australia and to promote the professional development of members through education and training.
The contemporary new IFCBAA logo and website represents the bringing together of two not-for-profit specialist industry bodies to represent the commonality of interest between international freight forwarding and customs clearance functions, in the provision of international trade logistics and supply chain management services.
“The merger will combine far-reaching experience in international freight forwarding, logistics, customs/biosecurity border activities, including unparalleled professional development and training for the benefit of members,” Paul Damkjaer, CEO of IFCBAA said.
“IFCBAA as a single peak body will deliver a greater united front for our industry, better placed to respond to members issues and concerns.”
IFCBAA will continue to operate as a not-for-profit organisation for the benefit of members, offering a wider range of services and products, with greater economies of scale.
An interim IFCBAA board, comprising five current directors from each of both AFIF and CBFCA (ten persons in total), will remain in place for the first two years, until July 2022.
The chairperson will rotate annually during this two-year period. At the conclusion of the two-year period, elections amongst the combined membership will create a new board of directors.
AFIF chairman Paul Golland said, “I believe a single peak body is something industry has been wanting for a number of years. It allows us to speak for industry with a single voice when dealing with governments, airlines, shipping lines, suppliers, and stakeholders in the international logistics supply chain. This has to be advantageous for all of our industry”.
CBFCA chairman Adam Butler said, “Bringing together AFIF and CBFCA to form a single peak body was overwhelmingly endorsed by members. IFCBAA will provide an increased range of benefits for members and enable international freight forwarders and customs brokers to have a strong representative voice in the areas affecting their interests. Joining forces into a single peak body is a historic achievement for our industry”.
“This is truly an exciting time with both entities coming together into a single industry body with a combined experience second to none,” Mr Damkjaer said.
You can find more information at: www.ifcbaa.com
