Georgia Ports Authority executive director Doug Marchand has been appointed to the 18-member executive committee of the Tokyo-based International Association of Ports and Harbors, which works to build partnerships between member ports and harbors in 84 countries worldwide.
“Georgia has developed its deepwater ports into very competitive entities supporting global trade,” said Mr. Marchand, who is one of three U.S. representatives to serve on the port and harbor association executive committee. “Our membership in the [port association] and our relationships with other world ports pay handsome dividends as we pursue our own trade development mission here in Georgia.”
In a similar leadership appointment, Mark Plunkett, the port authority’s regional cargo sales manager, has joined the board of directors of the Georgia Foreign–Trade Zone, which oversees the establishment of federally approved foreign trade zones in the state.
The trade zone system allows companies in the U.S. to import goods to specially designated areas of Georgia without going through formal customs entry procedures or paying import duties, allowing program participants to defer or reduce overall custom duties.
The Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone oversees six such areas in Georgia, including locations in Atlanta near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Brunswick, Canton, Columbus, Newnan, Peachtree City and Savannah.
For more information, contact the Georgia Ports Authority at (912) 964-3811.