The President of the Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA), Ms. Marygrace Collins, visited the WCO to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya on 27 May 2014.

The two organizations concluded the original MOU in 1993 to increase cooperation in terms of sharing information on drug trafficking. With the development of global supply chain security and facilitation, incorporated in the SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, both organizations felt the need to renew the MOU to enhance cooperation in the areas of simplifying port procedures and improving data quality.

FONASBA represents ship brokers and agents who are responsible for advising Customs of a ship’s arrival and reporting the cargo on board, ensuring that the ship’s documentation complies with international regulations prior to Customs inspection and preparing and providing information to other border agencies.

FONASBA and the WCO consequently share a common interest in simplifying and harmonizing port procedures, including Customs procedures. With the development of information technology, the two organizations also recognize the importance of providing quality data in a timely manner, right along the supply chain from the information source.

Secretary General Mikuriya appreciated the willingness of FONASBA to provide its specialist input to various WCO bodies, including the Expert Group on Data Quality and the SAFE Working Group, to further enhance connectivity at borders and boost economic competitiveness as a result. President Collins welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the WCO’s work with a view to achieving the common goal of trade and transport facilitation and improved compliance.