AFFA – A bridge to connect ASEAN Logistics

Manila, Philippines – Asian Federation of Forwarders Association (AFFA) hold the 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 27th and 28th, 2012. After 13 years joining the organization, Vietnam will serve the term 2012-2013 as Chairman for the first time. This is not only an honor for Vietnam in general, but also for Vietnam freight forwarding and logistics sector in particular, showing the maturity of Vietnam Freight Forwarding Association (VIFFAS) in the regional and global integration relationships.

Founded in 1991, AFFA was quickly considered as a non-governmental organization belonging to ASEAN implementing the targets:

1. Unite ASEAN regional forwarders by national forwarding organizations.
2. Develop, improve and maintain the co-operations among regional forwarders.
3. Be a representative for interests of organization members
4. Pursue upgrading measurements to quality, standards of ASEAN regional forwarders.

From the number of 5 members at the beginning, there have been 11 members representing 10 ASEAN countries (2 members from Singapore). Though experiencing many changes and difficulties, AFFA has always been developing and pursuing its targets.

Working groups currently focus on fields of customs, human resources, logistics, multi-modal transport, IT, insurance and on issues of ASEAN relationships, liberalizations, trade promotions…. Among them, the working group of education and training (WGET) has had frequent activities in training logistics human resources for the region.

Talking about AFFA’s target in the period, Mr. Somsak Wisetruangrot – AFFA Chairman in term 2010-2011, said:”We have been boosting development and cooperation in transport and logistics in the region. Knowing that human resource development is a part in the strategy and a central part in the sector, we are trying to develop human resources, bridging knowledge gaps and sharing experience among members, connecting with ASEAN logistics road map and Destination of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

AFFA is now on the missions: sharing knowledge, experience among members, bridging knowledge in carrying out international transport and logistics, upgrading abilities of carrying out services, working with partners for expertise aids. And AFFA’s vision is AFFA’s members will be volunteers, carrying out services with top quality for customers in and outside ASEAN community.

It is an honor for Vietnam Logistics when Vietnam was chosen AFFA Chairman. To achieve present results, VIFFAS has had certain success and contributions to the development of the region, gaining trust from other AFFA members. In 1994 at the foundation of VIFFAS, we sent an observer to AFFA and joined it a year after. Although entering the organization rather late, VIFFAS has held important positions: being General Secretary of the Federation in 3 consecutive terms 2000-2006; and holding AGMs twice:2000 in Hanoi and 2009 in HCMC.

Being in the role of AFFA Chairman, we are maintaining policies and missions that were planned in previous terms, maintaining good relationships with AFFA members: helping them and sharing achievements in logistics sector. And especially, we will pay more attention to human resource training for forwarding and logistics sectors in Vietnam and in ASIAN region as well. In addition, we will maintain close relationships between AFFA and ASEAN, GMS, UNESCAP, APEC…or and other organizations: FPAA, FIATA, IATA, ADB, WB…

Being in the role of AFFA Chairman, we are holding an opportunity to bring VIFFAS and Vietnam logistics to a higher stature, confirming the position of Vietnam in the field of logistics and transport in the region, especially in the ASEAN Connecting Logistics Roadmap, or Destination of AEC… We are now able to be well-matched with ASEAN countries or Asia-Pacific countries for the target developing economy for the region and the world.

The target of “connecting logistics professionals” of VIFFAS has matched with modern requirements again.