TRADE NEWS UPDATES
“Who pays?” Liabilities upon the detection of the violation on Intellectual Property Rights
FIATA released in September 2010 its Position Paper on “Intellectual Property Rights“.
This paper provides a public position as to FIATA’s concern as the preparatory work by the European Union and a number of other World Trade Organization members on the Anti- Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. The early draft foreshadowed an impact on service providers in international trade logistics and supply chain management as being seenthe “freight holder” and thus captured as regards storage and destruction which may arise as to any intellectual property violation if goods were held at the border.
Arising from this Paper an invitation was extended for FIATA to participate in the Sixth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy held in Paris 2-3 February 2011.
The Congress provided the opportunity for FIATA represented by the Customs Affairs Institute Chairman Mr Stephen Morris, to extend FIATA’s knowledge and reach in relation to the issue of intellectual property rights.
It was indeed timely as to FIATA’s presence at this event as to the perception of rights holders looking to divest themselves of the responsibility for the cost of storage and/or destruction of goods detained at the border (which may breach intellectual property holder’s rights). FIATA delivered a clear message that intermediaries have no liability (unless this could be proved otherwise from a criminal evidence aspect) as to protecting intellectual property holder’s rights as to goods that may have been carried, or arranged for carriage with other parties, or entered for regulatory purposes.
AITT SIGNS MOU WITH FCCISL
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association (SLFFA) for capacity building.
The collaboration between FCCISL and Academy for International Trade and Transport (AITT), the training arm of SLFFA is to develop and promote Professional Capacity Building Programs (PCB) towards the process of developing Knowledge and Industry Skills to Increase Effectiveness in Job Performance and Productivity in the Transport, Logistic and Supply Chain Sectors islandwide and conduct the training programs through FCCISL Training Center Network.
“Education and Training” continues to be a vital component in addressing socio-economic development issues faced in many developing countries such as Sri Lanka. In this context FCCISL with an impressive track record in this field for over 14 years is committed to workforce development with special emphasis on the SMEs at the regional levels. (more…)
SLFFA ORGANIZES DGR/DGA TRAINING FOR ELEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR !
The Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association, the apex body representing the freight forwarding industry in Sri Lanka, conducted its annual Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) course and Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Refresher Course for the eleventh consecutive year, from the 13th to the 17th of December 2010, at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.
This international training program was once again organized in collaboration with the Australian Federation of International Forwarders (AFIF), an IATA approved training facility, which has a wealth of experience and expertise in conducting international training programs on freight forwarding in Australia as well as in countries in the Asia- Pacific region.
Both the DGA & DGR Refresher courses were once again conducted by Mr. Bob Rogers, who has more than 30 years experience with the AFIF as a Master Trainer in Freight Forwarding. Mr. Rogers has conducted several training programs for SLFFA members during the past several years. Some of the training programs conducted by Mr. Rogers include the Basic & Advanced Airfreight courses held in September 2003, and the DGR & DGR Refresher programs conducted annually for the last 10 years.
There were 18 participants registered for the DGA full course while 26 registered for the Refresher course.
The Chairman and the Executive Committee along with the advisory committee consisting of Past Chairmen, initiated these training programs in order to further develop the human resources in freight forwarding and to meet the challenges in the ever changing global market place.
Due to the keen interest shown by SLFFA members for various training programs for the betterment of the industry, the Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association plans to continue organizing many more IATA accredited training programs in future.
TRADE NEWS UPDATES
FIATA MTI - Multimodal Transport Institute and CAI – Customs Affairs Institute informed with active help from CLECAT during meetings at the FIATA World Congress and HQ-Sessions and via the FIATA Document Delivery System about the European Commission’s new Security Rules which enter fully into force as from January 1st 2011
Relevant security data has had in principle to be provided before the goods enter or leave the European Community customs territory. The security data has to be sent electronically by economic operators with the possibility of exchanging this information with Member States administrations.
SLFFA CSR INITIATIVE- SLFFA GIVES BACK TO SOCIETY
SLFFA Chairman-Mr. Tony De Livera making the presentation to the Manager of Arthur Perera Elders' Home, Pannipitiya.
The Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association (SLFFA), the apex body of freight forwarders’ in Sri Lanka, ventured on an ambitious Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project in October 2008. The objective was to build relationships amongst the community by partnering with the members of SLFFA and all their stake holders, by specifically making a positive impact on the homeless elders.
“Multiply your Blessings by sharing it with others” was the spirit in which SLFFA decided to launch this project.
The SLFFA Dinner Dance held in October 2008 was the launching pad for this CSR project. Which was called “a journey towards healing of hearts” and SLFFA dedicated all proceeds from the dance towards this project.
TRADE NEWS UPDATES
EU 24-hour security rule
Exporters to the EU should be gearing up for the European 24-hour advanced manifest rule to be enforced from 31 December 2010 in all 27 EU member states.
As with the US 24-hour rule, the primary purpose of the new regulation is to ensure that a security risk analysis is performed on all goods before they arrive in the EU. Norway and Switzerland have the same status as EU member states. The provision has been in force since 1 July 2009 but until 31 December 2010 this advance declaration remains an option for traders and not an obligation.
For all cargo entering the EU, the shipping line must submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to the vessel’s first port of call in the EU. For a vessel which is bound for an EU port, the ENS transmission must be carried out no later than 24 hours prior to the commencement of vessel loading in the non-EU load port.
For “short sea” shipments, the ENS transmission must be carried out no later than two hours before arrival of the vessel at the first port of entry in the EU.
In order to comply with the deadlines set by the EU customs authorities, shipping lines will need shippers to submit complete and accurate customs declaration information and shipping instructions – well within time. While a third party may submit their own ENS, this can only be done with the prior knowledge. Indeed, a written consent from the shipping line is most likely to be required when a freight forwarder wants to file the ENS. (more…)
SLFFA Re-Launches Website
The Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association (SLFFA), re-launched its website (www.slffa.com) at the General Membership meeting, held on 26th October 2009, at the NOC Auditorium, Colombo. The website was launched by the Chairman of SLFFA, Mr. Tony de Livera, together with the CEO of the software developer Mr. Ben Prashant of M/s. Ben Worldwide – Sri Lanka, Mr. S. Mohanadas, Vice Chairman of SLFFA and Mr. Dushmantha Karannagoda, SLFFA Treasurer.
SLFFA, which comprises of 90 leading freight forwarders in the country, was established in 1981 with the objective of bringing all freight forwarders under one umbrella, and with a view of institutionalizing and professionalizing the trade. Today the Sri Lanka Government, relevant Government agencies and the trade have recognized SLFFA as the Apex body representing the freight forwarders in Sri Lanka. SLFFA is also a member of the regional freight forwarding body The Federation of Asia Pacific Air cargo Associations (FAPAA) and the International Freight Forwarding body FIATA.
The re-launch of the website coincided with the revamping of the SLFFA debtors database system. The debtors’ database system is a comprehensive compilation of debtors and provides the cumulative debt outstanding to the industry with an age analysis on a monthly basis and details of outstanding debts on individual clients. (more…)
