NAFL News

JANUARY - MARCH 2012 VOL. 1, ISSUE 1

Dear NAFL Members,

Let me be the first to welcome you not only to the dawning of a new year but also to a new and vigorous chapter in the endur-ing history of the National Association of Freight and Logis-

tics and to the first edition of NAFL News.This year, 2012, marks an important milestone for the NAFL. Our

organization’s teen years are behind us, making room for new years to make our mark in the freight and logistics industry beyond the United Arab Emirates.

As with the turning of every year, it is time to look back and reflect on the events of the previous year and to look forward with optimism and enthusiasm. In October 2011, a new executive board, consisting of a perfect blend of the old and the new, was elected.

Half of the board are newcomers, but this does not mean they are inexperienced. They bring with them fresh ideas and a new determi-nation to execute agreed plans and initiatives. A short profile of our new board is featured in this edition.

One of our most important plans for 2012 is growing our member-ship. Looking back at our 20-year history, we can see our growth. From an initial membership of 24, we now have close to 300 mem-bers. We’re aiming for a bigger number, which is why we are aggres-sively pursuing membership from other Emirates.

I think the NAFL, being the official representative body in the UAE of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associa-tions (FIATA), has a lot to offer freight and logistics professionals and companies.

First, the NAFL continues to be at the forefront of the logistics and freight industry in the region.

Second, the NAFL has a huge role to play in ensuring that its members are geared to meet challenges and that the UAE continues to occupy its enviable position as a competitive and efficient Global Hub.

Third, the NAFL offers various training modules aligned with FIATA initiatives. This endeavor has proved very successful and plans are afoot to take it to the next level by allocating a dedicated team focused on the training needs of our members.

Indeed, 2012 is a milestone for us, a milestone that needs recogni-tion, both in terms of longevity and the people behind our group’s success. I invite you to stay tuned for more information regarding this glorious event.

David PhillipsPresident

EDITOR’S NOTE

New Year, New BeginningsEDITORIAL

DAVID PHILLIPSEditor-in-Chief

JOEL TANContributing Writer

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INSIDE NAFL NEWS

COVER STORYThe New NAFL Board on rising upto the challenge of the new year.

PAGE 1

FEATUREThe NAFL’s challenge and promise to young and aspiring logistics professionals.

PAGE 10

FEATUREWhat is the NAFL Training Institute’s Most Popular Course?PAGE 8

FEATUREWhat are the new NAFL board members cooking up for theorganization? Check out what they have to say.

PAGE 4

FEATURE2011, the year that was. Let us review what has gone before and how we can use its lessons in the coming years.

PAGE 12

For comments andsuggestions, please email [email protected]

Leading the board is NAFL President David Phillips of Freight Systems Co. Ltd. (LLC). Phillips, a Commerce graduate of the University of Mumbai, sees 2012 as an important milestone for NAFL and an opportunity to showcase the organization’s achievements in the field of freight and logistics in the Arabian Gulf.

“The year 2012 is an impor-tant milestone for NAFL. Our teen years are behind us; we are 20 years old. This is a milestone that needs recognition, both in terms of longevity and the people behind this successful milestone,” said Phillips in a statement.

Phillips said the new executive board, elected in October 2011, would bring fresh ideas and a new determination in executing agreed plans and initiatives in the coming year.

New Board, New Direction

NAFL Secretary General Nadia Abdul Aziz, who represents Union National Air, Land & Sea Ship-ping Co. LLC (UNASCO), shares Phillips’ view, pointing out that new and existing board members are active and want to bring an enhanced positive change to the NAFL and its members.

“Our previous members built

a good solid base and we all are here to go further ahead. The sky is the limit to what we can achieve,” she said.

Suman Chakrabarti, NAFL Treasurer and representative of Al Rais Cargo Agencies in the organization, mirrors Abdul Aziz’s observation of the new board, saying the group feels “extremely positive from the word go.”

“New views and ideas have been exchanged, with definitive plans to achieve them. I am sure this board would achieve few milestones, which we all would be proud of,” he said.

Some of these new goals include increasing interactions among members through open fo-rums, Abdul Aziz said, adding that the board would actively court the support of the government and semi-government organizations in the NAFL’s endeavors.

“We all believe in giving back to society, and what we organize

The New NAFL Board

RISING UP TO THE CHALLENGEWith 20 years of experience, unity and cooperation

under its belt, the National Association of Freight and Logistics, the official body that represents

the United Arab Emirates’ freight forwarding community, is poised to take its 300 members to new heights with a new executive board at its helm.

The new NAFL Executive Board. From left: Ahmed Alrais (Consolidated Shipping Services) ; Ibrahim Abu Zayed (Al Fadhil Cargo Clearing & For-warding); Abdulla Yacoubi (E-Freight International); Ashok Ahuja (Inchcape Shipping Services); President David Phillips (Freight Systems Co. Ltd.); Treasurer Suman Chakrabarti (Al Rais Cargo Agencies); Sudesh Chaturvedi (GAC); Vice President Kevin Ennis (dnata); Secretary General Nadia Abdul Aziz (UNASCO) ; and Tom Nauwelaerts (Al-Futtaim Logistics).

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NAFL are strengthening ties among existing members and in-creasing its membership base.

At present, majority of NAFL members are based in Dubai. Phil-lips said the organization would

entice freight forwarders from other emirates.

“While our membership is heavily weighted in favor of Dubai-based operators, we are ag-gressively pursuing membership from the other Emirates,” Phillips

usually supports that. Believing in work ethics is one of our core beliefs that we work on, and that’s what will also make us grow even further,” she said.

Phillips supports this belief, saying the new board is aware that the “NAFL has a huge role to play in ensuring the organization is geared toward meeting the chal-lenges of the future and ensuring the UAE continues to occupy its enviable position as a competitive and efficient ‘Global Hub.’ “

To help achieve these goals, NAFL Vice President Kevin En-nis, who represents dnata, said the new board would be more proac-tive.

“We need to focus on our deliverables and ensure we deliver the same. Our new statutes will make sure we have a proactive management and all of us on the board will be judged by the qual-ity of our deliverables,” he said.

Stronger Ties, More Members

Two of the most important plans of the new board for the

said.Ennis revealed that accredit-

ing operators from other Emirates is one of the main focus areas of the new board. The other focus areas are training, networking with authorities, and resolving the concerns of members.

“There are unfinished initia-tives from the previous board, in-cluding the building of a stronger rapport and an air of cooperation among members. Additionally, there are a lot of new thoughts and ideas that we need to implement going forward,” Ennis said.

While promoting better coop-eration among members and entic-ing freight forwarders from other Emirates are top priorities for the new board, they are not the only plans for the NAFL.

“We aim to take the freight and logistics center stage not only in the UAE and Middle East but also the world. The Emirates is undoubtedly one if not the most important trade hub in the region. We want it recognized as an im-portant freight and logistics hub as well,” Phillips said.

Our previousmembers built

a good solid baseand we all are hereto go further ahead. The sky is the limit

to what wecan achieve

“

”

COVER STORY: NEW BOARD RISING UP TO THE CHALLENGE

Left: Issa Baluch, former president of the National Association of Freight and Logistics, gives a speech at the NAFL General Elections 2011. Above: Representatives of NAFL member organizations are all smiles as they cast their votes to elect the executive board.

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Learning From One Another

Training is also an important thrust of the new NAFL board, and Phillips reveals that they are planning to take the organization’s training initiative to the next level.

“The NAFL offers, through its Training Institute, various mod-ules of training aligned with the FIATA program. The institute has been very successful, and we want to further enhance its capabili-ties,” Phillips said.

How will the new board en-hance the capabilities of a training institute that is already operating so well?

“We hope to have a dedicated

team focused on the training needs of our members. Part of this initiative of boosting train-ing efforts is building an efficient faculty of trainers, and we hope to draw these from within the indus-try,” Phillips explained.

Ennis shares Phillips’ vision, saying the new board sees train-ing as one of the best ways to achieve the goal of strengthening the NAFL.

“The board’s agenda would be to ensure our members have the best training facilities and networking abilities with the au-thorities in deciding the best way forward for the industry in the UAE in particular and the Middle East in general,” he said. J

At the 2011 General Elections of the National Association of Freight and Logistics, representatives of member organizations and compa-nies not only voted for their bets to the executive board but also discussed important matters such as continuing plans of the previous board, the revamping of courses at the NAFL Training Institute, and the acceptance of new members from other Emirates.

Our new statuteswill make sure

we have a proactive management

and all of us onthe board will be

judged by the quality of our deliverables

“

”

COVER STORY: NEW BOARD RISING UP TO THE CHALLENGE

3

ON A MISSIONThese people are out to prove why the United Arab Emirates, through the National Asso-

ciation of Freight and Logistics, is ready to take its spot as a global trade hub.

This commerce graduate from the University of Mumbai who now heads Freight Systems Co. Ltd. plans to connect industry stakeholders and strength-en their relationships to ensure the UAE stays ahead not only as a regional hub but a “Global Hub.”

David Phillips, president

“The UAE has been and continuesto be at the forefront of the logistics

and freight activity in the region.The NAFL thus has a huge role to play

in ensuring that our organizationis geared to meet challenges

and ensure that the UAE continuesto occupy its enviable position

as a competitive andefficient Global Hub.”

Kevin Ennis, vice presidentThis 17-year UAE resident from dnata wants the NAFL to be recognized as the premier institution for freight forwarding and logistics in the Middle East.

“I want to ensure that our membershave the best training facilities and open

and clear avenues of communicationwith authorities in deciding the best way

forward for the industry in the UAEin particular and the Middle East

in general. We have to ensure the NAFLis an institution that can be looked up to

by our peers in the industry.”

Suman Chakrabarti, treasurerThis certified management accountant from Al Rais Cargo Agencies LLC vows to deploy the financial resources of the NAFL to the best of use and of benefit to the association and the industry.

“We must keep a positive outlookand implement definitive plans

for the association to grow.I am sure that with the support

of members, the new NAFL boardwill reach milestones that everyone

can be proud of.”

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Abdulla Yacoubi, board memberThis 34-year veteran of the airfreight, shipping and logistics company who now sits at the helm of E-freight International LLC, aims to share his rich experience in various freight and logistics fields with NAFL members.

“I have been involved in establishingstrategic partnerships and joint ventures

with local and internationalcustomers before, and establishingand maintaining good relations with

government and customs authorities.”

Nadia Abdul Aziz, secretary generalThis able marketing and communications expert from UNASCO aims to enhance the NAFL as an association on a national and international scale by offering best support, service and training to all its members.

“My plan is consistent and requiresa lot of listening and coordination.

One of the things I will focus onis meeting with members in our forums

and look into their problems,and try my best along with our

board members to solve and bring their problems to the right authorities.”

Tom Nauwelaerts, board memberThis freight forwarding and logistics expert from Al-Futtaim Logistics likes to focus on developing the UAE as a Logistics hub for the Middle East.

“The NAFL shall build closer relationswith government bodies regarding

regulations of the business and bridges between the respective trade associations

to make sure there is more unity when communicating with government

institutions regarding logistics trade.”

Ahmed Alrais, board memberThis operations and warehousing expert from Con-solidated Shipping Service LLC has much to share with other members of the NAFL.

“I aim to actively participate in all NAFL activities and guide members in exploring their success in business strategies and

share my experience and expertisewith other members of the NAFL.”

Ashok Ahuja, board memberThis sales and marketing guru from Inchcape Shipping Services Ltd. looks to technology as a way to manage information and provide visibility to customers.

“I visualize the NAFL as a regulatory body empowered to drive the logistics industry

to new heights to face the dauntingchallenges of globalization,digitalization of informationand new technology with a

clear emphasis on quality training.”

Ibrahim Abu Zayed, board memberThis former NAFL Land Transport Committee member from Al Fadhil Cargo Clearing and For-warding Co. brings his long experience to the NAFL.

“I aim to use my knowledgeand experience to contribute

to the development of the land transport and freight forwarding rules and

regulations and business ethics withinthe industry in Dubai and the UAE.”

Sudesh Chaturvedi, board memberThis 19-year logistics expert is a member of the Executive Committee and Secretary of Finance at the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers UK’s Dubai Chapter.

“I would like to connect NAFL to the grass-roots of our industry, our colleagues at the

front desks. They are our ambassadors, our first point of contact with our most val-

ued resource, the Customer.”

5

Training forms the backbone of any service-oriented or-ganization, and the National Association of Freight and Logistics, the official body that represents the United

Arab Emirates’ freight forwarding community in the globally recognized International Federation of Freight Forwarders As-sociations, is no different, and is, in fact, doing it better.

new executive board, of course.

Industry Challenges

In a commentary on Dubai Trade portal, Baluch identified the issue on cargo security as the topmost concern in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates’ bid to become a leading international logistics hub.

“This is a pressing concern, especially as the country posi-tions itself to be an international multi-modal logistics platform,” Baluch said. “As screening of cargo becomes more stringent, the challenge for officiating bodies in the country is to strike a balance between addressing the need for cargo security while permitting international trade and commerce

REVITALIZING THENAFL TRAINING INSTITUTETo Meet Tomorrow’s Challenges

In 1995, then NAFL president Issa Baluch paved the way for the establishment of the NAFL Training Institute, which was envisioned to help member freight forwarding and logistics compa-nies increase their productivity and aid their representatives grow as professionals.

With courses ranging from the basics like Introduction to Freight Forwarding and the different transport modes for freight, the NAFL Training Institute sets itself

apart from universities offering the same courses by offering what established professionals truly need: practical exercises and appli-cations instead of mere classroom lectures.

The NAFL Training Institute has been successful so far, with more than 15 years of training ex-perience and excellence under its belt, but recent developments in the freight forwarding and logis-tics industry are set to push it in a new direction, with the help of the

FEATURE STORY: THE NAFL TRAINING INSTITUTE

6

to thrive.”This concern is not lost on

the new NAFL executive board comprised mainly of David Phillips (Freight Systems), presi-dent, Kevin Ennis (Dnata), vice president, Nadia Abdul Aziz (UNASCO), secretary general, and Suman Chakra-barti (Al Rais Cargo Agencies), treasurer.

In fact, the board has launched a new initiative that aims to strengthen the NAFL Training Institute to meet the challenges facing the industry.

“The Training In-stitute has been very successful. But we aim to make it better. Plans are underway to take the NAFL’s training initiative to the next level,” Phillips said.

One of these plans, Phillips revealed, is the creation of a dedi-cated team of industry experts that will focus on the training needs of NAFL member companies.

“Part of this initiative is build-ing an efficient bank of trainers, and we hope to draw these from

within the industry,” he said.Leading the charge in revital-

izing the NAFL Training Institute is Charles Edwards, chairman of Freight Reach Services, who agrees with the board on the need to empower the institute to face new challenges.

“The dramatic change in the world’s economy, post the 2008 crash, the shift-ing of the center of economic power from the United States and Europe to Asia, the rapid economic growth throughout South America, Asia and

Sub-Saharan Africa are creat-ing a new environment in which NAFL members need to be ready to respond to,” Edwards said in an interview with NAFL News.

“These and other changes mean the NAFL members must be trained not only in how they do their world, but more importantly in how to respond to change. Responding to these changes and challenges re-quires a well-trained team that have


We aimto make the

NAFL Training Institutebetter.

“

”

7

the expertise and the confidence to develop new systems and services to meet the new demands from their customers,” he added.

Moving Forward

How exactly will the Train-ing Institute be revitalized and equipped to respond to challenges and other concerns?

In the same interview, Edwards revealed plans to expand the NAFL Training Institute curricu-lum. While nothing was concrete yet, he said they were considering adding courses like team building, leadership, market analysis and personnel management.

Abdul Aziz airs the same senti-ment in her plans for the NAFL, saying it will be best for the train-ing institute to enhance all train-ing programs and certification.

“We should also offer a wider variety of courses that NAFL members require. In line with this, we should offer the best time slots for our members and their repre-sentatives,” she said.

The NAFL Training Institute already boasts a good lineup of courses for its members.

Edwards pointed out that the primary NAFL training program provided a solid foundation of freight forwarders and logistics experts, and NAFL member com-panies would do well to send their managers and staff members to finish the program.

“There are not many FIATA diploma-holding managers and staff among NAFL members. That situation needs to be addressed in a timely fashion,” Edwards said.

“By completing the entire program, the students and their

employers will benefit and then their customers, the suppliers of services, such as airlines, steam-ship companies, trucking compa-nies, and regulatory agencies will all benefit,” he added.

This does not mean that the Training Institute is perfect, Edwards said, explaining that it needs to be revitalized by creating a structure to guide and manage courses, providing support to the current faculty, bringing in new instructors, and actively market-ing the program to NAFL mem-bers and their employees.

“These and other tasks will not be accomplished overnight, but the efforts should begin as soon as practicable. Within five years, there is no reason why the NAFL training program should not be the preeminent program in the Middle East,” Edwards said. J

Without a doubt training is an integral part in an industry as dynamic as freight forwarding and logistics. In the

United Arab Emirates, the National Association of Freight and Logistics Training Institute is the best recourse in keeping abreast of developments in the industry.

The NAFL Training Institute offers a wide ar-ray of courses, ranging from the basic Introduc-tion to Freight Forwarding to something more advanced like Logistics and Warehousing. These courses have, since the inception of the Training Institute in 1995, helped logistics practitioners grow as professionals and, in turn, increase their company's productivity.

One of the most popular courses at the NAFL Training Institute is the one T S Radhakrishnan of

dnata facilitates: Dangerous Goods Regulation."The popularity of the course gives me much pro-

fessional and personal satisfaction," Radhakrishnan said when asked how he felt about his course being the most popular at the NAFL Training Institute.

Radhakrishnan started teaching at the NAFL Training Institute in 2006, when he was introduced to Leonard Thygarajan, cargo service manager of dnata. Prior to joining the institute, he was conduct-ing training at the Emirates Aviation College.

"I welcomed the opportunity to offer my services and become a faculty member of the NAFL Train-ing Institute," he said, adding that his experience as a trainer at the institute has been great.

"I have a passion for teaching and I am happy to impart the knowledge I have gained through my experience. It's also great that the participants are al-

NAFL-TI’s Most Popular CourseDangerous Goods Regulation


8

ways highly motivated, as what they learn in the course immediately influences their everyday work," Radhakrishnan said.

What makes Dangerous Goods Regu-lation a popular course and how impor-tant is it to the industry?

Radhakrishnan explained that Dan-gerous Goods Regulation, or DGR, was becoming more and more important because the volume of dangerous goods being moved around the world was in-creasing and the demand for these special commodities was rising.

"Handling these dangerous goods requires specialist skills and knowledge because transporting them by air is highly regulated. There are a lot of restrictions placed by both air operators and the state on such shipments," Radhakrishnan said.

"In the UAE, for example, the General Civil Aviation Authority regulates the movement of dangerous goods and keeps a watchful eye on the various complexi-ties of transporting these types of cargo by air," he added.

Radhakrishnan singled out freight forwarders' desire to take advantage of the surge in transporting dangerous com-modities as the reason behind the high demand for the course.

The GCAA recognizes and certifies the Dangerous Goods Regulation course.

Radhakrishnan said shippers of dan-gerous goods and freight forwarders considering handling dangerous goods should take the course.

"Taking it is a must for freight forward-ers in the UAE," he said.

Although Dangerous Goods Regula-tion is offered at various institutions in the UAE, Radhakrishnan said the NAFL Training Institute had an edge: the sched-ule of the course.

"Classes run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. twice a week. This way, participants can attend to their routine office work during

the day and then have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in the evening," he explained. J

The many expressions of T S Radhakrishnan, who facilitates the Dangerous Goods Regulation module at the NAFL Training Insti-tute, come out during one of his twice-a-week class.

FEATURE STORY: DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATION

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FEATURE STORY: UAE FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS AWARD FOR THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL

In an industry as robust and ever-changing as freight for-warding and logistics, it takes

experience and business acumen to keep things going. But it takes passion and enthusiasm to push innovations that in turn help the industry to move forward into the future.

This is where young profes-sionals in the freight and logis-tics industry of the United Arab Emirates come in. They are the lifeblood that fuels the heart of the industry under the guidance of industry heads and executives.

To recognize the contribution of young professionals to the in-dustry, the National Association of Freight and Logistics introduced in early 2011 the United Arab Emirates Freight and Logistics Award for the Young Professional.

The first awardee, Niranjan Venkatesh, of Dubai-based NAFL member company Transworld Logistics, is a shining example of what young professionals con-tribute to the freight and logistics industry and how they motivate others to express their passion for their chosen profession.

Venkatesh’s winning disserta-tion, entitled “Macro and Micro Level Analysis of the State of Freight Forwarding Industry in the United Arab Emirates” not only placed him in the spotlight for grabbing the first UAE Freight and Logistics Award for the Young Professional, but also gave him the chance to take center stage at

NAFL Recognizes Contributionsof Young Professionals

the prestigious Young Interna-tional Freight Forwarders Award (YIFFA).

The YIFFA is an annual event organized by three groups: the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the TT Club.

“It was the proudest moment of my life. I was deeply touched and honored. I would like to express my gratitude to the NAFL for giv-ing young logistics practitioners like myself with this opportunity. Logistics is my chosen profession and passion -- the NAFL and my employers at Transworld Logis-tics have been a huge part in this

development of my career,” Ven-katesh said.

Young Achiever

The UAE Freight and Logistics Award for the Young Professional is not Venkatesh’s first award, though. He already showed his passion for work and excellence while studying Industrial Engi-neering at Purdue University in the United States when he received the top prize in the prestigious Burton D Morgan Business Plan Competition.

Venkatesh’s ticket to the award was an app store that allowed us-ers to trade music plug-ins. This passion for music later pushed

The National Association of Freight and Logistics current and past presidents confer the 2011 United Arab Emirates Freight and Logistics Award for the Young Professional on Niranjan Venkatesh for his contributions to the industry.

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FEATURE STORY: UAE FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS AWARD FOR THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL

him to become a member of the Malhaar, the first Indian Choir Group in the United Arab Emir-ates.

At present, Venkatesh is an assistant manager for business development at Transworld Logis-tics, where he helps provide third party logistics solutions to high-end fashion labels from all over the world.

“My job involves networking with traders from all walks of life; but I have a keen and specific in-terest in fashion retailers because my expertise includes providing end-to-end logistics and freight forwarding solutions to people involved in this field,” Venkatesh said in an earlier interview.

It was this passion for the in-dustry that convinced the 24-year-old Venkatesh to vie for the UAE Freight and Logistics Award for the Young Professional.

He said he was hoping to get only the UAE award. Venkatesh got the surprise of his life when he not only won the award but went

on to bag another award: repre-sentative for the Middle East and Africa to the Young International Freight Forwarders Award.

The Award

After receiving word that Ven-katesh’s dissertation was selected as the best piece among contend-ers in the Middle East and African region for the YIFFA, then NAFL president Issa Baluch released a statement on behalf of the associa-tion:

“This is good news for the local freight forwarding industry. To have the UAE represented at the YIFFA is a big achievement not only for Niranjan, but also for the NAFL, which has been encourag-ing local logistics professionals to take part in international competi-tions such as the YIFFA.”

Baluch credited Venkatesh’s success partially to the NAFL and its members for the hard work they had put into enhancing the United Arab Emirates’ freight

and logistics industry, primar-ily through the NAFL Training Institute.

“The NAFL Training Institute offers courses that are validated by the FIATA and taught by quali-fied instructors from the freight forwarding and logistics field. En-rollment in these courses expands participants’ knowledge of the field, equips them with the right skills, and allows them to adopt industry best practices in their own companies,” Baluch said in the statement.

The Future

Venkatesh is set to take two modules at the NAFL Training Institute this year: Air Freight and Sea Freight. He says he also plans to take up more modules in the coming years.

Venkatesh admits that he is a better professional now after participating in the awards and industry conferences.

“I have learned to think more professionally and look at the in-dustry through the eyes of experts in the NAFL who have become my mentors. Thanks to these people, I have a clearer picture of what I want to become,” he said.

“I want to stay in the freight forwarding and logistics industry. I feel this industry of ours is one of the major drivers of economy, particularly in the United Arab Emirates,” Venkatesh added.

He said he would like to en-courage other young professionals to join the annual UAE Freight and Logistics Award for the Young Professional and show the world at the Young International Freight Forwarders Award what the indus-try in the UAE could do. J

Other NAFL officers pose with Niranjan Venkatesh, the first recipient of the UAE Freight and Logistics Award for the Young Professional.

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The year 2011 may be over and plans for 2012 are already underway, but reflection is just as important as preparation as members of the

National Association of Freight and Logistics know.The previous year saw some of the most important

milestones in the history of the NAFL, its president, David Phillips said.

“These milestones focus mainly on the success of NAFL’s Open Forums and the establishment of closer ties with government, two very important events that I am proud to witness first as board member and treasurer, and then as president,” Phillips said.

“As we look forward to the future of the NAFL and the freight forwarding and logistics industry in the United Arab Emirates, so too do we look back at our organization’s greatest triumphs in 2011,” he added.

Open Forums

Phillips credits the strengthening of ties be-tween the NAFL and the local government and

FEATURE STORY: LOOKING BACK AT 2011

other organizations largely to the success of the Open Forums.

The NAFL Open Forums were established primarily as a venue where members can inter-act with relevant government agencies, while the organization’s officers can address pressing issues and other agenda.

It is in one of these open forums where the alli-ance between the NAFL and Dubai Trade--an in-novative, simple and secure portal that combines all electronic services provided by some of Dubai’s top trade, freight forwarding and logistics indus-try stakeholders--was discussed and consequently formed.

“The recent global economic crisis prompted mergers, affiliations, and alliances among com-panies and organizations, which ultimately signi-fies the need to work together,” said Mahmood Al Bastaki, director of Dubai Trade, in an interview right after the Open Forum where the alliance was discussed.

2011

A YEAR OF PARTNERSHIPS AND COOPERATION

12


Friendship and cooperation were the common thrusts of NAFL members in 2011. One of the organization’s strongest partnerships, with Dubai Trade, was forged last year.

“To synergize with organizations such as the NAFL is one step to pro-mote teamwork among various enti-ties that will lead to advancement in the freight and logistics industries,” he added.

Phillips was among those who finalized the agreement with Dubai Trade, being the then sub-committee chairman for Information Technology of the NAFL.

Alliances

Phillips said the alliance between NAFL and Dubai Trade was a good one, pointing out that it was in line

13

with one of the organization’s mission statements -- that of fa-cilitating programs and activities that support local government initiatives and policies relating to the regulation and develop-ment of the freight forwarding industry.

“We are honored to have signed an alliance with Dubai Trade. The NAFL has almost 300 members and they will definitely benefit from this auspicious partnership,” Ashok Thomas, then the secretary general of the NAFL and one of the Advisory Council at present, said of the partner-ship.

“Hopefully, this will pave the

way for more collaborative ef-forts among the industry play-ers that would support local and international initiatives and policies, especially with regard to the regulation and develop-ment of the freight forward-ing and logistics industry,” he added.

Beyond Dubai

A major thrust of the NAFL that began in 2011 was the strengthening of cooperation among existing members and extending memberships to freight forwarders and logis-tics organizations in other Emirates like Abu Dhabi and

Sharjah.“It is our goal to continue

seeking partnerships that will be beneficial to the NAFL, the local governments, and the stakehold-ers of the freight and logistics industry in the United Arab Emirates,” Phillips said.

At present, majority of NAFL member companies and pro-fessionals are based in Dubai. This is one reason why the new board, elected in October 2011, is planning to aggressively se-cure membership of companies and professionals in other Emir-ates, particularly Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, which have robust freight forwarding and logistics industries. J

Dubai Trade and NAFL officials pose for the camera.

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