The events attracted the participation of FIATA leaders, FIATA regional associations in Asia-Pacific, and 10 AFFA member associations. Notably, nearly 300 international logistics enterprises, representing logistics service providers from 50 countries in the Asia- Pacific region, attended the conferences. Various companies interested in seeking opportunities for business cooperation and logistics development also took part. The events garnered the attention of over 40 media agencies and press outlets, both domestic and international.
According to Mr. Le Duy Hiep, Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), organizing the FIATA Rap and AFFA Mid-Year Conference is both an honor and a significant responsibility for Vietnam’s logistics service industry. It provides an excellent opportunity for Vietnamese logistics enterprises and exporters to meet collaborate, and learn from the experiences of thousands of leading logistics companies worldwide. Moreover, it showcases Vietnam’s logistics service industry and promotes the image of Vietnam on the international stage. This event opens up opportunities to enhance import-export activities, improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses, and contribute to the development of Vietnam’s tourism industry. It also fosters potential partnerships between Vietnamese enterprises and logistics association members in the region and worldwide.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade - Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, in his speech at the FIATA Rap, praised the VLA for taking the initiative to host this series of events. He emphasized that this special event contributes to promoting investment, business cooperation, knowledge sharing, and charting the future of the logistics and freight forwarding industry in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. With the logistics industry facing unpredictable changes and the development of technology on a global scale, the annual Asia- Pacific conference of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) is a precious opportunity for associations, logistics enterprises, and import-export businesses from Vietnam and other countries in the region to meet, exchange business cooperation opportunities, and share experiences in logistics service development. It provides opportunities to boost import-export activities and enhance the competitiveness of businesses.
Mr. Alvin Chua, Chairman of AFFA, believes that in the coming period, member associations need to cooperate more closely and closely monitor all conference programs to ensure the implementation of the 2023 theme: “Promoting the Economy and Logistics in ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region during the post-pandemic era through transformation.”
• The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) was established on May 31, 1926, as a non- governmental organization representing freight forwarders and logistics companies from over 150 countries. FIATA has 110 National Association members and over 5,500 individual members, collectively representing the industry with 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics companies worldwide. FIATA’s mission is to be the “Voice of the Global Logistics Industry.” The Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) is an official member of FIATA, representing Vietnam’s logistics services since May 1994.
• The ASEAN Federation of Forwarders Associations (AFFA) was established on December 7, 1991, as a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 Southeast Asian countries. Its purpose is to promote freight forwarding through intergovernmental cooperation and create conditions for multimodal transportation between member countries and other nations worldwide.
• The Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) was established on November 18, 1993, as a professional social organization representing Vietnamese organizations, enterprises, and citizens engaged in commercial activities related to freight forwarding, warehousing, and logistics services.
Particularly, the insights shared by global and regional experts on new trends and advanced technology in the logistics industry have helped Vietnamese logistics service enterprises grasp the development trends and apply practical solutions to enhance their business competitiveness. This has also strengthened the connectivity, friendship, and solidarity among all members of the freight forwarding, logistics, and trade community in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.
At the AFFA Mid-Year Conference, Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that logistics is identified as a crucial service sector in Vietnam’s economy. Therefore, Vietnam is ready to enhance cooperation with ASEAN countries to expand and develop the logistics industry on a global scale and towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly direction. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through economic diplomacy activities, will strengthen support for the logistics industry to achieve this mission and accompany the logistics sector in its development journey. They will continue to promote international cooperation and support the implementation of collaborative initiatives between Vietnamese and ASEAN logistics enterprises for the sustainable development of the logistics industry in the region.