The Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA) announced its appointment of three new sub-committees to help spearhead key initiatives for the industry in Asia Pacific.
The three sub-committees named by the association are for Sustainability, Trade Policy, Food Safety and Quality Standards. “We are delighted to announce the appointments to our Sub-committees, their depth and breadth of expertise and experience makes them a valuable addition to our cause.” said CAA’s Executive Committee.
For CAA’s Sustainability Sub-Committee, Ms Fay Fay Choo, Asia Cocoa Director at Mars Wrigley and Mr Manfred Borer, Chief Executive Officer at Koltiva were appointed as Co-Directors for Sustainability and with them, Ms Michelle Cui, Senior Trader from Ecom Agroindustrial Asia Pte Ltd and Mr Vijay Karunakaran, Vice President at Olam Cocoa Indonesia.
The Trade Policy Sub-Committee is led by Mr Sunil Shankar as Director for Trade Policy. Sunil is the Senior Manager – Cocoa & Chocolates AMEA at Mondelēz International AMEA Pte Ltd, and with him, Ms Lau Han Ching, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Asia Pacific at Barry Callebaut Services Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd and Mr Heong Yong Kong, Strategic Sourcing Manager Cocoa at Mars Wrigley.
Heading Food Safety & Quality Standards Sub-Committee is Mr Ho Kim Tong as Director for Food Safety & Quality Standards. Kim Tong is also the Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory Product Line Expert at Cargill and with him, Ms Irene Liew, Regional Quality Manager – Cocoa & Project at Barry Callebaut Asia Pacific and Mr Chong Ken Boon, Regional SQA Manager at Mars Wrigley.
Commenting on their roles: “Firstly, I would like to thank the association for providing me with an opportunity to play an active role in helping shape the future of the association. What encouraged me the most is that the CAA has been welcoming and open to newer opportunities where the association needs to spread its influence, and also a greater need for the association to promote dialogue on various trade and non-trade issues, which collectively affect its members and influence policy direction to stimulate growth of the cocoa sector in Asia,” said Sunil Shankar.
“I am thrilled with the appointment as Co-Director for Sustainability and to lead with Fay Fay the Sustainability Committee at the CAA. After four years of sole focus on the Koltiva business development, it is now time to get back into an active role in industry associations, like the CAA, and allocate part of my daily time to promote impact at a larger scale,” Manfred Borer commented.
Ho Kim Tong commented: “ I have been working in the cocoa industry for more than 10 years and I am passionate about this trade. Even though there is still a lot of unknown area for me to explore, when the Chairman of CAA Alvin Lee approached me regarding this position, I felt that this is the right time for me to contribute back to the industry.”
“We thank the committees for their time and passion, and we look forward to bringing the association and its membership to new heights while continuing to champion and promote the responsible consumption of what is arguably still the world’s most delicious ingredient in the region and beyond,” said its Chairman, Alvin Lee.
Image credit: Cocoa Association of Asia
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