The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) and National Association of Freight & Logistics (NAFL), based in Dubai, UAE, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. The agreement was formally inked by Mr Shankar Shinde, Chairman, FFFAI and Ms Nadia Abdul Aziz, President, NAFL.
The MoU was signed during a FFFAI delegation visit to World Expo 2020, in association with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)-organised event, 3rd Logix 2022, which commenced on March 21 in Dubai.
As per the MoU, the key areas of working jointly for FFFAI and NAFL are as follows: a) Trade Support, b) Technology Exchange, c) Women Participation, d) Youth Promotion, e) Members Support Safety, f) Skill Development and Training, g) Business Opportunities, and h) Any other areas of cooperation.
The cooperation would also extend to identifying and recommending members to securely do business, safeguard/protect them, and providing services and support pertaining to payment reliability.
“In view of the fact that there is a trend of increasing trade between India and UAE and Dubai being one of the strategic hubs of logistics operations, the MoU is very significant. Both FFFAI and NAFL are playing catalysing roles in trade facilitation in their respective countries i.e. India and UAE. The MoU would further explore new areas for win-win benefits of the members of both the associations in terms of expansion of business and enhancement of skills,” shared Mr Shinde. With the recent signing of the India-UAE FTA, trade between the two countries is expected to touch $100 billion in the next 5 years. Most Indian items are now duty free to UAE, highlighted a release.
FFFAI is the apex body and the sole representative of 28 member associations from all over India representing 6,500 Custom brokers. The organisation is directly and indirectly connected with freight forwarders, shipping, end-to-end logistics and international trade & commerce.
NAFL was founded in Dubai in February 1992 as mandated by the Government of Dubai to respond to the need to bring together the increasing number of freight and logistics service providers in the UAE. Apart from trade facilitation, NAFL plays an important role in spearheading relevant training programs, which are crucial in the development of a corporation, as well as the industry.
It is pertinent to mention that FFFAI and NAFL are the members of International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), representing freight forwarders in some 150 countries. Based in Geneva, FIATA’s membership comprises 111 Associations Members and more than 5,500 Individual Members, overall representing an industry of 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide, the release added.
Source: Exim News Service: Dubai, March 28