Dubai Trade, an innovative trade facilitation entity, said it is talks with National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) for an alliance that would help boost the growth of freight forwarding and logistics industry in the UAE.

NAFL is a government-mandated organization that unites the major players in the freight forwarding, logistics, and shipping industries in the emirates.

'The recent global economic crisis prompted mergers, affiliations, and alliances among companies and organizations, which ultimately signifies the need to work together,' said Mahmood Al Bastaki, director of Dubai Trade at an open forum.

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

Al Bastaki said the duo talked about possible synergies in fields that have direct impact on the local freight forwarding community, such as training, risk financing (liability insurance), and e-payment (Rosoom) in order to add value to the industry as a whole.
 
NAFL executive board member and IT sub-committee chairman David Phillips of Freight Systems Company, expressed the association’s enthusiasm for the tie-up.

“We look forward to formalizing an alliance with Dubai Trade, which is in line with one of our mission statements – and that is, to facilitate programs and activities that will support local government initiatives and policies, relating to the regulation and development of the freight forwarding industry,” he noted.

David also highlighted NAFL’s latest initiatives, such as the interactive website and the NAFL Training Institute at the forum.

Mahmood, on the other hand, delivered an informative presentation showcasing the company’s growth and how the trading facility enhances the services of companies, such as DP World, Dubai Customs, Economic Zones World and DMCC.

Dubai Trade is an innovative trade facilitation entity that integrates the electronic services of various trade and logistics service providers in Dubai under a single window.

Its mission is to make trade easier, faster and cost-effective for all stakeholders through continued improvement of processes and application of technology.-TradeArabia News Service