RickettsHAVING LAID the groundwork several years ago, custom brokers in the region recently took the ultimate step, forming themselves into an entity with a mandate to "protect and improve the standard and profession of customs brokerage services within the Caribbean."
With representation from Grenada, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia and Jamaica, the Caribbean Association of Customs Brokers, (CACUB), was launched at a special meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados on Friday November 1, 2002. Local veteran customs broker, Ivanhoe Ricketts was elected president of the new organisation.
"Our first order of business is to sensitise Caribbean authorities, including government and Customs about our establishment", said Mr. Ricketts in a recent interview.
Mr. Ricketts, who has a long and distinguished career in customs broking and freight forwarding, explained the association would also provide the channel for customs brokers to be part of the decision-making process in issues which affect them directly. He said CACUB would also make representation to the CARICOM Secretariat about various trade issues and regulations affecting customs brokers.
Mr. Ricketts has served as president of the Customs Brokers Association of Jamaica for a total of nine years, comprising a three-year consecutive term from 1985 to 1988 and a six-year consecutive term from 1991 to 1996.
Other members of the CACUB executive are: first vice president, Michael Andrews of Trinidad and Tobago; 2nd vice president/territorial representative, Aldridge George of St Lucia; 3rd vice president/public relations officer: Nathan Dundas, Antigua; secretary: Percy Murrell: Barbados; treasurer: Mr. Kyle Lashley, Barbados; assistant secretary/asst. treasurer: Mark Phang of Guyana.
