IBMATA Chair Tony Smith will tell a panel of parliamentarians, policy makers and border experts that the next era of border controls needs to be based around global collaboration and technology.

Tony will join an expert discussion group organised by independent think-tank Reform to debate ‘The Future of the UK border’ at the House of Commons on November 14.

He will be joined by Gavin Robinson MP, Member for Belfast East, Shadow DUP Spokesperson for Defence and member of the Defence Select Committee.

Tony will say:

“With air traffic set to double over the next 20 years, and freight set to triple over the same period, border agencies are facing unprecedented challenges.

“The UK Border Force urgently needs investment in new systems and processes to manage the massive increase in transactions on intra EU traffic and EU and EEA passport holders that Brexit will bring.

“The introduction of new technologies into future borders will, in my view, lead to the next paradigm shift in border control.

“But regardless of the capabilities of such technology, this can only be realised through collaboration.

“That means bringing together all the key ingredients of the eco system that surrounds border management, across nation and international boundaries.”

Find out more about the event at the Reform website.

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