LEADERS & OWNERS INVITED TO SHAPE FUTURE OF BRITISH TRADE AT MAJOR NEW CONFERENCE IN JUNE

Interactive conference will give those working in logistics the chance to influence election manifestos amid “dire economic forecasts” and continued issues with current trading arrangements

Trade Unlocked is being organised in partnership with the British Chamber of Commerce, International Chambers of Commerce and business leaders.

Businesses of all sizes, from all parts of the UK economy are invited to attend the conference for free with special help available for SMEs.

Trade Unlocked 2023, a one-day event at the Birmingham NEC on Tuesday the 20th June, will bring businesses of all sizes, from all parts of the economy together with decision makers and trade experts with invites also extended to high profile Government and Opposition figures.

The interactive conference will draw on the expertise and experience of all delegates to find solutions to the challenges of the current trading environment and opportunities for the decade ahead. Businesses can register for the event for free using the code: TU23Logistics

The evidence and recommendations from Trade Unlocked will be used to influence manifestos ahead of the next General Election.

Trade Unlocked has been announced after the IMF published their latest forecast showing that the UK economy will shrink by 0.3% this year, the worst prediction of all G7 nations. Similarly, the ONS confirmed UK goods exports are also trailing G7 competitors and the UK economy saw no growth last February. Latest estimates further suggest that growth is still badly impacted by unprecedented labour shortages.

The event has been organised in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, the International Chambers of Commerce and other high profile business leaders with policy support from the UK Trade and Business Commission.

The next general election presents a chance to influence election manifestos and set a course to reverse economic stagnation with sustained economic growth. We simply cannot afford another decade of lost growth which could relegate the UK to being a second rate economy. UK business is much better than that, and this is a conference to influence, learn, innovate and trade more to raise economic output, productivity and living standards.

Jürgen Maier, Former Chief Executive, Siemens; Chair, Trade Unlocked 2023 Organising Committee

Too often trade policy is set without the input of, and sometimes even against the advice of, the people and organisations that trade every day. That is what Trade Unlocked will redress. I’m looking forward to having businesses, trade experts and leaders come together in one room to ensure our voices are represented at the very highest levels of decision-making.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General, British Chamber of Commerce (who also sits on the Trade Unlocked 2023 Organising Committee)

As our economy stagnates, policy makers are searching for solutions as they draft manifestos ahead of the next election. This is why we are bringing those on the frontline of logistics and other businesses together to send a clear message to those seeking power: reduce trade barriers, cut red tape, and give us access to skills.

Naomi Smith, Chief

Executive,

Best

for

Britain (which is organising Trade Unlocked 2023)

Fried urges alignment of international standards for security as AfA members work with TSA on a co-ordinated approach to US cargo screening

The global air cargo industry must align its cargo security programs and push for a more risk-based approach to screening if it is to maintain secure supply chains, Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association (AfA), told delegates of IATA’s air cargo security panel at its World Cargo Symposium today (26th April).

We must present a united front for the global transport industry, despite our sometimes disparate goals across the various segments of the supply chain, to streamline regulations in order to help foster costeffective trade. The more we align, the simpler our lives will become, but we need to continue to push for this alignment – that’s why AfA engages with other associations as well as global regulators at every opportunity to make sure our voice is heard.

Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association

When asked if he saw a lack of harmonization across global markets for aviation security, Fried highlighted a discord between global aviation security programs, citing IATA's recently implemented Preloading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) program in the EU, which mirrors the US Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program.

With regulatory demands set to increase over the next five years, Fried said he expects to see increasing focus on tackling cybersecurity issues, as well as greater emphasis on employee background checks and more stringent minimum standards.

Despite these expected increases in regulation, Fried said the AfA will continue to push for a more ‘risk-based’ approach to air cargo security.

Our industry has done a great job over the past 15 years since putting the 9/11 Commission Act in place, which has led to a ‘shorter leash’ regarding inspection, compliance, and enforcement – but we must continue to meet these high expectations to avoid facing greater challenges. We hope to see new and better screening technology approved, such as advanced CT X-ray, as well as the wider use of canines as an efficient and effective cargo screening method.

AfA also hopes to see the widespread adoption of EU canine screening programs, he added, which are capable of screening larger configurations of cargo. As the regulatory landscape changes, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be focusing on compliance more than ever and AfA is working collaboratively with them towards enhancements in this area, Fried concluded.

AfA members are currently working with TSA on a roadmap for security and a key part of our efforts is to map the air cargo supply chain to help the untrained and inexperienced regulatory policy makers to fully understand all the nuances of our seemingly simple but quite complicated industry. We are pushing to better align all US cargo security programs, and encouraging the TSA to help promote the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) within the shipper community.

On Monday, Fried presented to WACO System members at their AGM in Sorrento, Italy, giving a state of the market report to WACO’s network of independent freight management companies.