Logistics ‘sans frontières’ in Martinique

Four prominent businessmen from the greater Caribbean region will be among keynote speakers at the Caribbean Transport and Logistics Trade Fair (SCTL) in Martinique from 11 to 13 May. They are:

- David Jean-Marie, president of the Caribbean Shipping Association

- Bishen John, president of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean

- Fritz Pinnock, international expert in maritime logistics and executive director of the Caribbean Maritime Institute

- Jean-Michel Caffin, consultant in foreign trade and vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce of Miami.

This pioneering event is being hosted by the Martinique-based organization Cluster GAT Caraïbes*. Visitors and exhibitors from the greater Caribbean region and from Europe will be attending the fair to showcase their services and products.

The four speakers visited Martinique from 14 to 17 December as guests of Cluster GAT Caraïbes as part of the preparation for the logistics trade fair.

During their visit, the delegates met representatives of various member organizations of Cluster GAT Caraïbes including Frigodom, Soreidom & Caribbean Line, the port and airport authorities, the new TCSP public transport system and the Préfecture as well as professional organisations like CCIM, Contact-Entreprises, MEDEF and AMPI.

In the course of various meetings, the Caribbean visitors underlined their view that Martinique, and the French West Indies as a whole, represent a real doorway for Caribbean countries to do business with the European Union.

President’s message

The president of Cluster GAT Caraïbes, in a message to members, has expressed the hope that 2016 will bring improved political clarity locally, nationally and internationally as well as greater business opportunities.

“Our businesses need clarity in order to invest and become involved in major projects,” said Sandra Casanova.

She called for members to become involved in strategic thinking “so that, together, we can take part in the key issues of our time and in our geographical region”.

“This event has been organized with you and for you and, together with outstanding guest speakers, we intend to discuss the issues associated with optimizing inter-Caribbean transport, improving cross-border relations, the logistics performance of companies, sustainable development and transport, training and innovations in the transport and logistics sector.”

Matinale

Over 90 delegates attended the Matinale Logistics Conference in Martinique on 24 September last year organised by Cluster GAT Caraïbes and the French Logistics & Supply Chain Organisation (ASLOG).

They included business owners, logistics managers, logisticians and logistics students.

This conference has helped bring the business world and the customs service closer together, thus opening up interesting avenues of collaboration resulting in greater security of trade and an improved control of import and export costs. 

The following three topics were discussed at the conference:

- How to protect your customs clearance

- Taking advantage of customs bonded warehouses

- AEO: your label of competitiveness.

The most acclaimed talks were those which outlined the status of authorised economic operators (AEO). This sharing of companies’ experiences met with great success.

*Cluster GAT Caraïbes Logistique et Transport is a non-profit organization that aims to bring together private and public-sector stakeholders from across the region with supply chain interests. The SCTL trade fair is being organized by Cluster GAT Caraïbes and the French Logistics and Supply Chain Organisation (ASLOG). To register on-line, visit: www.sctl-event.com