NEW AFFA CHAIRMAN – DO XUAN QUANG: “The position of Vietnam Logistics is changing…”

Being Chairman of Asian Federation of Forwarding Associations is considered a milestone to Vietnam Logistics. VLR journalist had a talk with Mr. Do Xuan Quang- New Chairman of AFFA - who had returned from The 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of AFFA in Manila, Philippines on December 27th-28th, 2012.

Congratulations. Were you surprised with the personnel change? Will Vietnam have certain contributions to the logistics sector to establish credibility with AFFA members?

Actually, I was rather surprised. In the meeting, Singapore delegation (SLA) and Thailand delegation (TIFFA) nominated Vietnam for the position of Chairman of AFFA. Mr. Standley Lim, Chairman of FIATA, explained that he decided to choose Vietnam to be Chairman of AFFA after the process of observing changes and development of Vietnam forwarding and logistics sector and after working with VIFFAS in his recent visit to Vietnam. In addition, in previous AFFA meetings, Vietnam had many contributions in proposing and promoting AFFA actions plans and Vietnam has been in charge of important positions in the Federation.

What is AFFA missions and vision in the term 2012-2013?

AGM this year focused on the main matters of the action plans from the AGM 2011 in Myanmar: connecting logistics among Federation members through particular connecting action plans in ASEAN framework; all the programs were submitted to the ASEAN Secretariat. AFFA is the consulting agency of it in forwarding, transport and logistics in the reason.

One of important action plans of AFFA is a human resource general training for sectors of forwarding, transport and logistics for ASEAN countries proposed by Thailand and Singapore. The program will be carrying out as soon as there is decision from JICA (Japan) on backing budget. Another program of no less importance is the cross-country trucking program in ASEAN region. The program is strongly promoted as a preparation for a free ASEAN trucking region in 2015.

In this term, Vietnam is in charge of programs and of a working group on information and communication for AFFA.

Being new Chairman of AFFA means the position of Vietnam logistics is affirmed in the region?

I think this is an affirmation of the position of Vietnam forwarding, transport and logistics in ASEAN. Vietnam is a new market and quickly developed (10%-15%/year on average) and we are trying to catch up with other countries in the regions. And the role of VIFFAS in active integration has been affirmed for the position of Chairman of AFFA has long been given to countries whose logistics sector is strongly developed as Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia. Together with other countries in the region, we should act to build a prosperous region, in which logistics plays an important role.

It is certainly a challenge and it is certainly no easy job to operate an organization like AFFA which consists of associations of the ASEAN countries. Having international experiences is also of importance.

Being both Chairman of VIFFAS and Chairman of AFFA also means having more responsibilities. What is your orientation to AFFA?

I have personally working with both VIFFAS and AFFA for nearly 10 years today, so I am used to its work. However, taking over a new responsibility means taking on a new challenge. I have to balance my time and work to fulfill assigned missions.

I am planning working programs for both VIFFAS and AFFA. My point is bringing events back to Vietnam, not going abroad for events held at other ASEAN countries. As scheduled, in the 2nd quarter of 2013, VIFFAS will be holding an international conference (Airfreight logistics Vietnam 2013) for the first time in Vietnam, and then develop it into an annual one for the purpose of developing an airfreight logistics in Vietnam, which is still very young.

And I continue working on AFFA outlined working programs, that is to build a training program on forwarding, transport and logistics for ASEAN region and to find a sponsorship for the program.

How is your new position connecting with the new image of Vietnam logistics?

I will try my very best. Actually, the forwarding, transport and logistics of Vietnam have been operating for years, and they cannot be considered as young ones. The problem is there should be a master plan of national scale to develop these sectors. The problems of infrastructure, legal framework, human resource and logistics management technology need a long-term plan to build. Therefore, founding a national committee of logistics is a must-do for management work and development of the sector.

With the role of consulting agency for the Government, we will have proposals suitable for the current situation of our country’s economy and for the logistics sector. In the near future, the name Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association will be changed to Vietnam Logistics Business Association. This is the sign showing the further development of the sector. I believe Vietnam logistics sector will catch up with those of other countries’ in the ASEAN region.

Thank you, and wish you success in the new position.