Auckland, New Zealand — The Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand (CBAFF) recently hosted the 39th Executive Council Meeting and annual general meeting of the Federation of Asia Pacific Aircargo Association (FAPAA) in New Zealand for the first time in the 27-year history of FAPAA.
The FAPAA meeting, held May 10 to 12 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auckland, was attended by delegates from 14 of the 19 member countries and regions of the Federation, who joined participants to the CBAFF annual national conference at functions arranged concurrently. The large combined gathering proved to be a networking opportunity for freight forwarding industry members of New Zealand and other Asia Pacific nations.
The FAPAA annual meeting brings together members from within the region to learn and share latest developments on important practical and technical aspects of the air freight forwarding industry.
FAPAA members received updates from International Air Transport Association (IATA) on the project to implement the electronic airwaybill (e-AWB) globally by 2014.
FAPAA chairman Ir Dr Paul Tsui shared the experience of the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding & Logistics Ltd, which he also chairs, in the early implementation of the e-AWB with Hong Kong through Cathay Pacific Airways.
Discussions around the e-freight project were also held; members agreed the e-AWB was more relevant and achievable in the short term, subject to carrier readiness to implement the necessary technology and systems.
Delegates also received updates to various regional and global air cargo security programs. Stephane Parrenin, Cargo Manager, Australia for IATA, delivered a detailed presentation on their Secure Freight Project. Security is always high on the agenda at FAPAA meetings as it is an essential part of freight forwarding business operations.
FAPAA welcomed a three-person high-level delegation from The China International Forwarders Association or CIFA who attended as observer with an expression of interest to join the Federation once they receive government approvals.
FAPAA was formed in 1985 and has grown to include 19 countries and/or region members, namely: Australia; Bangladesh; Brunei; Hong Kong-China; India; Indonesia; Japan; South Korea; Macau-China; Malaysia; Nepal; New Zealand; Pakistan, the Philippines; Singapore; Sri-Lanka; Chinese Taipei; Thailand, and Vietnam.
