The 40th Executive Council Meeting and Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Asia Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA) was recently held in Negombo, Sri Lanka.
The two-day meetings, hosted for the third time in its 28-year history by the Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders Association, were attended by delegates from 16 member countries and/or regions of the Asia Pacific. FAPAA brings together its members once a year, to provide an opportunity to learn from one another on developments within the industry and share information on important practical and technical aspects of the air freight forwarding industry.
FAPAA Past Chairman Diren Hallock opened the meetings. He commended the FAPAA forefathers, saying “the necessity of this organization is more prevalent today than ever. The continued success of FAPAA is dependent on every link in the chain being strong, working together unified in purpose and goals.”
FAPAA members shared information and updates from their dealings with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), on the project to implement the e-airway bill by 2014, and the Cargo Account Settlement System (CASS). Arman Yahya of the Indonesia Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association shared in detail how their relationship with IATA and the CASS system has worked in Indonesia.
Security in the air cargo industry was again one of the most important issues discussed over the meetings. Presentations from the Australian Federation of International Forwarders brought delegates up to date on security activities in Australia of interest to the region.
FAPAA welcomed two members from the Air Cargo Agents Association of Pakistan, attending for the first time after joining in 2012. Their delegates shared some of the issues they face with security, day-to-day operations and education and training.
The meetings concluded with the biennial elections for the executive office holders, with Paul Tsui, from Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Ltd, stepping down as Chairman of the past two years. Tsui welcomed the new Chairman, Willie van Heusden from the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand into the position.
Photo courtesy of FAPAA
