Dubai Chamber Seeks Stronger Ties with NAFL

In its quest to strengthen its working relationship and to build bridges of cooperation with various business entities, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL), organized an induction program of its services and initiatives for Dubai’s freight and logistics community. The induction program was held at Dubai Chamber headquarters recently. In his welcome address, Mr. Atiq Juma Nassib, Senior Director, Commercial Services Sector, Dubai Chamber, stated that the logistics sector is one of the drivers of Dubai’s economy and plays a very important role in supporting the movement of trade between the East and West through the emirate. “On its part, Dubai Chamber will always support the development of this sector and the activities of the National Association of Freight and Logistics and its members for the overall growth of the sector as well as the business environment of Dubai,” said Mr. Nassib who called upon the participants to benefit from Dubai Chamber’s advanced services and initiatives to enhance their business activities.

Referring to the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness report 2011-2012, which ranks the UAE 8th out of 142 countries in terms of infrastructure, 4th in terms of air transport infrastructure, 6th in port infrastructure and 7th in the quality of roads, Mr. Nassib informed that the UAE in general and Dubai in particular are highly competitive in infrastructure and the quality of logistics facilities provided to businesses. He stressed on Dubai Chamber’s role in offering enhanced services to all its stakeholders for the development of their sectors in light of the Chamber’s new strategy of exploring emerging markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Caucasus and Latin America to promote the competitiveness of Dubai businesses in the overseas markets while promoting the emirate as a strategic business destination.

On his part, Mr. David Phillips, President, National Association of Freight and Logistics, said: ‘‘I would like to thank Dubai Chamber, the management and dedicated team for their full support to NAFL over the years. We look forward to always working hand in hand with Dubai Chamber and benefiting all our members from their valued added quality services and we want to enhance the freight and logistics standards in the region. Thanks to the government support we have also been representing the UAE freight and logistics industry in various national as well as international exhibitions and forums.’’ Ms Nadia Aziz, Secretary General, NAFL added, ‘‘I really appreciate Dubai Chamber’s efforts and unconditional support to NAFL. I would also like to urge non-members to register and every organisation to benefit from the Chamber’s quality services.’’

Mr. Mahdi Mazim, Director, Customer Service Centres, Dubai Chamber, informed that 20% of the attendees at the meeting were non-members interested in Dubai Chamber’s services including the issuing of ATA Carnets, mediation, health insurance, credit rating and business networking. He highlighted the idea behind the meeting which he said was to apprise the gathering with the Chamber’s world-class services and new initiatives that go a long way to support business growth and create a stimulating business environment in Dubai.

The National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) was founded in 1992 in Dubai, to bring together all the major players in the UAE freight forwarding, logistics and shipping industry. Broadly, its main goal is to ensure the UAE’s leading position and Dubai’s pre-eminence in the international freight and transportation fields. NAFL is the official logistics and freight representative of the UAE to FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, based in Zurich, Switzerland. As part of its agenda to provide training in the industry, the association has established a training facility within its headquarters, where people can study the globally recognised FIATA diploma.