On July 14th, in Da Nang City, the Vietnam Logistics Service Business Association (VLA) organized the annual Asia-Pacific conference of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA). The event attracted nearly 300 international logistics companies, including logistics service providers from 50 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as businesses interested in seeking cooperation opportunities and developing logistics.
During the conference, delegates discussed important topics such as FIATA's digital journey: Developing digital freight forwarders; the role of logistics centers in cross-border transportation and East-West economic corridors; the global FIATA-IATA air cargo training program and its benefits for the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr. Le Duy Hiep, Chairman of VLA, mentioned that the AFFA conference brought together leading freight forwarders from Asia to focus on new challenges, trends, and sustainable development requirements in the region. The event serves as a highlight for the logistics and transportation industry in Asia, offering businesses access to the latest trends and best practices in freight forwarding for the year 2023.
FIATA President, Mr. Ivan Petrov, stated that the organization represents freight forwarder companies in 150 countries. "FIATA operates internationally to represent the services of supply chain and post-trade logistics providers, while promoting favorable trade conditions and best practices among the freight forwarding community. In parallel, FIATA supports facilitating trade and actively contributes to supply chain operations through close collaboration with relevant parties," said Mr. Ivan Petrov.
Vietnam is among the top 5 countries in ASEAN for logistics.
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, stated that with its unique geopolitical position, situated in a dynamic development region of the world where trade flows are concentrated, and along with increasing deep integration into the global economy, the growth rate of exports, imports, and e-commerce trade consistently remains in the double digits. Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for logistics activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to the World Bank's 2023 report, Vietnam ranks 43rd in the efficiency of logistics index, placing it among the top 5 countries in ASEAN, following Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and sharing the same position with the Philippines. The average annual growth rate of Vietnam's logistics market is between 14-16%, making a significant contribution to raising Vietnam's total import and export turnover to $730 billion USD in 2022, a 9.1% increase compared to the same period in 2021.
"The logistics service not only plays a significant role in Vietnam's economic development but also holds an important position in establishing an efficient transportation network and connecting domestic trade with international markets. The Government, Prime Minister, along with various ministries, sectors, and localities, are consistently focused on leading, directing, supporting, and enhancing the implementation of synchronized solutions to optimize logistics costs, improve competitive capabilities, and create a favorable environment for the development of the logistics service industry," Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan stated.
Recently, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade as the agency responsible for state management of logistics services as stipulated in Decree 96/2022/ND-CP dated November 29, 2022.
The Prime Minister also held a meeting with the President of FIATA and the Director General of FIATA, Mr. Stéphane Graber, at the Government Headquarters. The Prime Minister acknowledged the contributions of FIATA to the development of Vietnam's logistics services and expressed the hope that FIATA would continue to provide support through advisory roles, facilitating business collaboration opportunities, and offering training in Vietnam's logistics service sector.
Cre: Government News
