The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) today announced a memorandum of agreement to strengthen the competitiveness of the logistics and transportation industry; promote trade and investment; and ensure fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of U.S. trade laws and agreements.

The collaboration seeks to increase awareness of the economic benefits of international trade, educate the public on trade activities as a job creator and development strategy, as well as encourage U.S businesses to accelerate their exporting operations while simultaneously generating interest from foreign companies to coordinate with ITA regarding importing valuable commodities.

“This new partnership contributes to NCBFAA’s growing responsibilities as the leading voice of the international trade market and its reputation as the go-to logistics and transportation authority for access to federal agencies most actively engaged in the oversight of international commerce,” said Geoffrey C. Powell, president of NCBFAA. “The agreement provides the association with an outstanding platform for advancing the interests of not only its diverse membership but also the industry at large.”

“This announcement has been a natural progression due to the fact that the NCBFAA and its dedicated committees have been working with ITA for decades,” added NCBFAA executive vice president Barbara Reilly. “Officially announcing this joint venture marks the culmination of an outstanding alliance delivering many great achievements including the receipt of Commerce’s Presidential E Award for Exports.”

The E Award, which was presented to NCBFAA in 2012 by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson at the White House in Washington, D.C, is the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“We’re pleased to welcome the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America as a partner in our efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy and support local jobs through expanding U.S. exports,” said Marcus Jadotte, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis. “With more than 96 percent of potential customers living outside U.S. borders, it’s imperative that American companies of all sizes consider the benefits of selling their products abroad. We believe this partnership with NCBFAA provides us with a unique opportunity to educate U.S. exporters and service providers of all sizes, increase awareness, and address logistics and transportation hurdles.”

NCBFAA and ITA will cooperatively engage in increasing trade and business investment among the U.S. business community, particularly small- and medium-sized corporations, U.S educational institutions, appropriate international constituencies, and the general public. The two organizations will cooperate and coordinate trade and business investment promotion activities and programs, which will potentially include promoting greater awareness of national initiatives such as the National Export Initiative/Next, the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, and the Select USA Initiative.

NCBFAA joins other ITA strategic partners who have collectively connected more than 1,500 companies to federal export assistance.