Bill Gain is the Global Lead for Trade Facilitation, Customs Reform and Border Management within the World Bank Group’s Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice where Bill leads the implementation of trade facilitation & border management reform in over 70 countries.
He has over 39 years’ experience in undertaking management and leadership roles with a focus on Customs reform and modernization, trade facilitation, border management and private sector development reform implementation in developing and conflict affected countries.
Prior to joining the WBG, he was Associate Director & Manager for New Zealand and the Pacific at the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies at the University of Canberra. Prior roles also include a 30 year career with New Zealand Customs. Bill holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (2000) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business (HR & Change Management), from the University of Auckland, New Zealand (1996).
Poul Hansen is responsible for the Trade Facilitation portfolio at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Poul has extensive experience in the area of trade and transport facilitation, having worked for more than 20 years in the UN system on issues such as international trade, transportation, transit, development, international standards, previously working at the UNECE as Secretary for the TIR and International Harmonization Conventions etc.
Prior to joining the UN, Poul worked for more than 10 years in the private sector in public affairs, management consulting and logistics, including with Ernst & Young. Poul has studied both master and bachelor levels in Business Administration and International Law from the Aarhus University and Copenhagen Business School, Denmark.
Poul is a certified freight forwarding agent.
Jan joined UNCTAD in 2003 and is Chief of the organization’s Trade Logistics Branch since 2016. The Branch implements research and technical assistance programmes in international transport and trade facilitation.
Previously, Jan worked six years for the UN ECLAC in Santiago de Chile, and two years for the IMO in London and Santiago.
Prior to this, he held part time positions as assistant professor, import-export agent, and seafarer. Jan has studied in Germany, UK, and Spain, and holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Hamburg.
Ms. Ingrid Huapaya Puicon is currently the Customs and Trade Facilitation Coordinator for the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of Peru. In this role, Ms. Huapaya has negotiated customs procedures and trade facilitation provisions, as well as facilitated customs-to-customs cooperation for international trade agreements. Ms. Huapaya is part of the management team for Peru’s National Trade Facilitation Committee and supports Peru’s implementation of the WTO Trade FacilitationAgreement.She is also a contact point on technical working groups on customs and transport underAPEC (SCCP),the Pacific Alliance and the Andean Community. Ms. Huapaya holds a law degree, asfinisheda Master’s degree (Tax Law) at Universidad Católica del Peru.
Andrew is a Partner in our Customs and Trade team, with significant expertise across the international trade law and customs.
Andrew is a trusted and highly-regarded industry adviser to businesses, industry associations, other peak bodies and government, and regularly consults on legal and trade developments that affect Australian and international businesses.
He assists importers, exporters, licensed customs brokers, freight forwarders, shippers, marine insurers and trade financiers, and other industry parties with procedural and legal advice, including reviews and litigious matters. This advice is provided in Australia and overseas, where Andrew works with a network of colleagues at law firms across the world.
Andrew specialises in all areas of trade including international trade conventions, dispute resolution and arbitration, trade financing options, commodity and freight contracts. He represents his clients’ best interests during inquiries or prosecutions by government agencies, in matters involving dumping and alleged underpayments of customs duty, alleged breaches of licence conditions by service providers (such as licensed customs brokers), biosecurity and defence control issues along with any associated litigation.
Andrew is a member of the board of directors of the Export Council of Australia (ECA) and the Food and Beverage Importers of Australia (FBIA) and is regularly engaged in these capacities to engage with the government agencies and peak industry bodies operating across Australian borders. Andrew is also the Chair of the Private Sector Group at the National Committee for Trade Facilitation (NCTF) and the International Trade Remedies Forum as well as their sub-committees and advisory groups.
Philippe Isler is the Director of the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, a public-private partnership for trade-led growth, supporting governments in developing countries to implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. Mr. Isler has 25 years experience leading trade facilitation initiatives in most parts of the world. In particular he developed and deployed solutions aimed at digitalising supply chain processes in a number of developing countries mostly through public-private partnership mechanisms. Previously, Mr. Isler was Vice-President at SGS Group leading the business development and implementation of trade community systems, e-government, telecom monitoring and port and customs operations. Mr. Isler earned a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from Bristol University.
Bharat serves on the boards of three companies of the Joshi Group as executive Director. All three companies have interests in logistics, technology and infrastructure:
- ACTL (Associated Container Terminal Ltd (http://www.actlindia.com) established the first private Dry Port in the hinterland of India;
- JKTI (Joshi Konoike Transport and Infrastructure (http://www.trac1.in) is an Indo-Japanese joint venture with the Konoike Group (Estd. 1880) that owns and operates private freight trains; and
- J-Curve Ventures Pvt Ltd (www.jcurve.in ) was set up to (a) invest in new technology and businesses, (b) advise foreign companies and trade missions on India and (c) form alliances to pursue opportunities and projects in India and the region.
He serves on the National Council of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), as Vice President of NACFS (National Association of Container Freight Stations), is a charter member of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), Delhi Chair of the INZBC (India-New Zealand Business Council).
Bharat writes for print and online publications and authored Navigating India: a socio-economic commentary and guide for business in India.
Roy Lagolago is the newly appointed Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (based in Samoa) an international organisation setup to implement the PACER Plus Agreement, strengthen the capacity of Pacific countries to benefit from PACER Plus as well as other regional and international trade agreements. Roy has a background in law enforcement, security, intelligence, investigations, and trade.
PhD in economics from University of Antananarivo
2008 : part of the public administration – Customs inspector
2019 : appointed as Madagascar Customs Director General
Languages : Malagasy , French and English
Values : integrity, accountability , professionnalism
