(L-R) Mr Shankar Shinde, Chairman FFFAI and Ms. Nadia Abdul Aziz, President, NAFL signing the MoU

The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) and National Association of Freight & Logistics (NAFL) based in Dubai, UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an objective to record and form the basis of understanding between the said associations to strengthen, promote and develop co-operation on the basis of equality and mutual benefits. The Agreement was formally signed by Mr Shankar Shinde, Chairman, FFFAI and Ms. Nadia Abdul Aziz, President, NAFL.

As per the MoU, key areas of working jointly by FFFAI and NAFL are as follow: 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 co-operation would also extend to identify and recommend members to securely do business and safeguard/protect them providing services and support pertaining to payment reliability.

Mr Shankar Shinde, Chairman FFFAI and Ms. Nadia Abdul Aziz, President, NAFL with the MoU signed along with other office bearers and members of FFFAI and NAFL.

“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 catalyzing 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 INDIA – UAE FTA, the trade between India and UAE is expected to touch USD 100 billion in the next 5 years with most Indian items are now duty free to UAE.   

FFFAI is the apex body and the sole representative of 28 member associations from all over India representing 6500 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 is playing the important role to spearhead 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 is composed of 111 Associations Members and more than 5,500 Individual Members, overall representing an industry of 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide.

The MoU was signed during the FFFAI delegation to World Expo 2020 in association with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) organised event- 3rd Logix 2022, started on March 21, 2022. in Dubai.