Exploring regional complexities in the illicit market and facilitating cross-border co-operation to stop illegal trade
OTTAWA, Nov. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Economist Impact will host the eighth Global Anti-Illicit Trade Summit, supported by Japan Tobacco International (JTI), on November 30th. This global initiative has taken place across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and now brings these important conversations to the Americas. Join Economist Impact at the Westin Ottawa for insights and discussions on counterfeit production, the shadow economy and how evolving technology makes it more challenging to combat illicit trade.
When it comes to cross-border movement of illegal goods, North America's expansiveness exacerbates the problem. The United States shares the world's longest land border (at 8,890km) with Canada and the busiest land-border crossing with Mexico. This makes preventing smuggling and illegal migration especially challenging for border security and customs agencies. With just over 12,000km in land borders and approximately 230,000km of coastline, North America is ripe with opportunities for criminal networks to traffic people and illegal goods and improve their position in the illicit market.
According to the International Chamber of Commerce, the financial cost of illicit trade is estimated to be $4.2trn annually.
Combating illicit trade is a global struggle that affects communities and businesses. It will take large-scale, innovative action to ensure new forms of illegal activity are reduced. Stakeholders must evaluate current activities and initiatives, and get to grips with the root causes of illegal trade. Consumer incentives and education, re-evaluation of policies and collaboration among stakeholders are essential to foster change. Hear more from illicit trade experts on the implications for the future of illicit trade activity globally and across the Americas, at the Global Anti-Illicit Trade Summit, Americas.
Join us on November 30th to hear more.
The summit will feature speakers including:
- General John Kelly, former commander, United States Southern Command
- David Luna, executive director, International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE)
- Christopher Taylor, special agent ? Canada country attache, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Embassy ? Ottawa
- Laura Dawson, executive director, Future Borders Coalition
- Anne Kothawala, chief executive, Convenience Industry Council of Canada
- Marissa Molé Bostick, deputy director, Counterfeit Crimes Unit, Amazon
- Sergio Miranda, sergent spécialiste en économie souterraine, Sûreté du Québec
- Gaston Schulmeister, director of the Department against Transnational Organized Crime (DTOC), Organization of American States (OAS)
- José Antonio Abugaber Andonie, President, Concamin
- Abram Benedict, Grand Chief, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
The Global Anti-Illicit Trade Summit, Americas is free to attend but spaces are limited, so please register your attendance today. All registrations are subject to approval. For further details about the summit, please visit the website: anti-illicit-trade.economist.com
To register your place please do so here: http://econimpact.co/3g
To engage with the Global Anti-Illicit Trade Summit on social media, use #EconTradeSummit in your conversations and follow:
LinkedIn: @EconomistImpactEvents
Twitter: @EconomistEvents
Facebook: @EconomistEvents
About Economist Impact
Economist Impact empowers businesses, governments and foundations to catalyse change and enable progress. Uniting the expertise The Economist Group is known for under a single brand, Economist Impact brings together policy research and insights, data visualisation, custom storytelling, events and media. Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand, engaging an influential audience in the areas of sustainability, health care and new globalisation. View our global events.
About Japan Tobacco International (JTI)
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is a leading international tobacco and vaping company selling its products in more than 130 countries. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Company employs about 48,000 people and was awarded Global Top Employer for the ninth consecutive year in 2023. JTI is a member of the JT Group of Companies. For more information visit www.jti.com.
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