NAFL

from GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE

by GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN

Infor OpEd

Defying odds, NAFL continues to buck the trend and demonstrate progress

Industry Apex Body upbeat on its landmark 34th AGM celebrations

34th Anniversary Annual General Meeting 2022

The 34th Anniversary Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Association of Freight & Logistics (NAFL) was recently commemorated amid robust celebrations and much fanfare and pomp including a sumptuous dinner and live entertainment at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Over 250 logistics and supply chain professionals drawn from a cross section of the industry and representing the who’s who of the industry attended the in-person gala reception, conducted amid strict enforcement of Covid-19 protocols and regulations, signaled renewed hope and optimism ahead for the industry despite challenges.

Assurance

In her rousing keynote address, Nadia Abdul Aziz, the long-serving President, NAFL & Vice President, FIATA, praised the Association’s 2021 performance and its resolve to stem the tide and buck trends. She assured that NAFL would stand shoulder to shoulder with members to empower and equip members in these challenging times.

Addressing the attendees, Ms. Nadia assured the assembly that the NAFL stood rock solid behind its members and would endeavour to represent and work in their interests and to protect the long-term interests of the industry. She expressed confidence that the current situation notwithstanding, the logistics and freight industry in the UAE would continue to grow from strength to strength.

Ms. Nadia also reiterated her gratitude to the UAE Government for good and effective governance. “I would also like to express my profound thanks and appreciation of the prudent leadership of the UAE and other Government insinuations for their resolve, pragmatism and understanding of the issues at stake,” she asserted.

Ms. Nadia also reiterated that NAFL would continue to forge close and fraternal ties with international bodies--FIATA and the World Cargo Association (WCA) and draw on their expertise and experience.

Training & Upskilling

Ms. Nadia also affirmed the importance and emphasis on training and upskilling members’ professional capabilities in an intensely competitive and demanding industry. “NAFL will shortly host and conduct regional and global FIATAapproved and certified Official Training Courses that would enhance proficiencies and competencies,” she explained.

She also stressed that NAFL aims to support its members in these tough times, by offering them sponsored trainings. She advocated a culture of openness and sincerity at NAFL so that all relevant and pressing industry issues are appropriately discussed internally and then communicated and conveyed to all concerned government offices through detailed reports on the prevailing challenges and solutions.

“NAFL will stand in solidarity and in unity and pledge to collaborate closely with our members to overcome current difficulties and sustain their businesses,” she affirmed.

To this end, NAFL as a longestablished, responsible representative body and the first of its kind in the GCC, is also working closely with the Government, other Governmental bodies and regulators to ensure that the growth, stability and viability of the freight and logistics sector in the UAE.

Also present at the AGM were several top NAFL officials and office-bearers. These included Ahmad Abdul Razeq, Vice President; Sudesh Chaturvedi, Secretary General; Mathew Chacko, Treasurer; Ibrahim Abu Zayed, Board Member & Founding Member; Majid Barzanji; Praveen Chandrasen, both Executive Board Members; Madhu Madathil, Board Member & Head of Legal Affairs and Shankar Subramoniam, Executive Director, among several others.