Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Saeed Al Maktoum, Honorary Patron of NAFL, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) RAME (Region Africa Middle East) Field Meeting and Conference 2024 closed successfully in Dubai committing to working together to address the current disruptions in the logistics sector to build resilient and sustainable supply chains.

An essential outcome of the conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UAE National Association of Freight & Logistics (NAFL) and Kale Logistics, a leading provider of comprehensive cloud enterprise systems for the logistics sector.

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The partnership will focus on developing digital solutions to streamline processes and data analytics to facilitate trade.

This will further drive the digitalisation of the sector in the UAE and enable NAFL stakeholders, members and the private sector in general to improve efficiency and transparency and benefit from a digital platform that supports operational processes and data sharing between stakeholders and facilitates the paperless exchange of trade-related information. Initially focusing on the UAE market, the platform aims to improve trade flows within the region and capitalise on the strategic location and connectivity of the country and the entire RAME region.

Throughout the conference, the focus was on fostering collaboration and introducing innovative solutions within the industry. Among the critical issues addressed at FIATA RAME were the strategies for tackling disruptions arising from geopolitical uncertainties and other causes such as natural disasters. The event also emphasised the importance of partnerships between governments, logistics providers and industry players to facilitate interoperability in the global logistics market and develop sustainable practices.

Thanking the participants, Nadia Abdul Aziz, President of NAFL, said, “The FIATA-RAME conference was a valuable platform to foster collaboration and explore innovative solutions. The meeting identified several key areas for improvement in the regional logistics sector. One of our focus areas is harnessing the opportunities offered by digitalisation, particularly in the private sector, which includes many of our members.”

“To this end, our partnership with Kale Logistics will help private sector players streamline processes through digitalisation, measure sustainability data, and simplify business processes. In the meantime, we are also talking to entities, which include the National Information Centre, global audit experts and collaboration between the government players and the private sector to improve business and the sustainability of the sector. We aim to turn the challenges in the industry into opportunities, improve the trade flow in the region and utilise the connectivity of the UAE and the region to overcome the current challenges.”

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Mr. Turgut Erkeskin, President of FIATA, said: “Building resilience and sustainability in the African and Middle Eastern logistics industry requires a collaborative approach. We are encouraged by the discussions at the FIATA-RAME conference and the commitment of stakeholders to work together to overcome the challenges and create a more resilient future for the industry.”

The two-day event brought together key players from the African and Middle Eastern logistics and global experts from the industry, serving as a crucial platform for knowledge sharing, forging partnerships, and charting a path toward a more resilient and collaborative logistics landscape in Africa and the Middle East.

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