In a move to proactively engage our global members and demonstrate our deepening international credentials, we have embarked on a new campaign to host a range of open forum sessions at key locations across the world.

The first forum took place in Geneva, Switzerland on March 23 2009. The location and date were chosen to coincide with the ICA Board Meeting – the first formal meeting of its kind to take place outside of Liverpool as part of our internationalisation strategy. More than 30 representatives from cotton trading companies in Switzerland, France,Italy, Greece, the UK, Brazil, Egypt, the United States, Singapore and India took part.
Designed to create an opportunity for our Board of Directors to listen to members’ views on the important issues affecting the cotton industry and the ICA, the first forum focused on arbitration, enforcement of awards and the revised ICA membership structure.  A lively debate took place and a number of suggestions will be taken forward for consideration.  These include:

• Providing more background information on arbitrators to enable firms to make an informed choice
• Setting up a facility to share best practice and provide general legal advice to members on the enforcement of awards
• Appointing an auditor if there is a conflict over local tax laws
• Giving firms the option to use a sole arbitrator, nominated by the ICA, if they are proceeding ex-parte
• Revisiting the arbitration application fee for non members on an annual basis
• Thanks to everybody who participated.  The aim is to keep you updated as matters progress.  Watch this space.

When and where will the next forum take place?

We aim to host another forum during 2009.  Full details will be posted on our website in ‘events’ and we will also send notification to all members and member firms via email.

Who should attend?

Any individual member or representative of a member firm is invited to participate.