The National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) has signed an agreement with Dubai Trade, a premier cross-border trade facilitator, to promote long-term synergy.

The NAFL was founded in 1992 under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, to bring all the major players in the UAE freight forwarding, logistics and shipping industry under a single umbrella.

As per the deal, both the NAFL and Dubai Trade can avail discounted rates on their two main training courses - Certified Customs Broker- CCB and CTLP – Certified Logistics & Trade Professional -
and extend benefits to its members by conducting advanced professional programs.

This will enable NAFL to strengthen its expertise and create value for members of the industry who will benefit from this partnership by getting discounts on courses, remarked its chairperson Nadia Abdul Aziz after signing the agreement with Mahmood Al Bastaki, board member and CEO of Dubai Trade.

The MoU seeks to synergise the activities and initiatives of both parties to promote the development of the UAE freight and logistics industry through professional training and raising Industry standards, she added.

Aziz, who is the first Emirati woman to be elected as the president at NAFL, said the association's strategies are in line with Dubai Plan 2021’s vision of making the emirate a pivotal hub in the global economy.

This alliance will see NAFL integrate smart services for its members through e-learning-smart classes and by venturing with reputed vendors from the industry, she stated.

NAFL is the only national association from a Gulf country to join the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) representing the UAE.

Its mandate is to add value to members by facilitating training programs and networking activities that will enhance not only business performance, but also maintain UAE’s pre-eminence in the international freight and transportation fields, by conducting training at NAFL training center in association with the government and private entities, said Aziz.

Al Bastaki said: "Dubai Trade is the single window for trade and logistics e-services that aims to facilitate the movement of cargo in the emirate and ease the logistics processes. Hence we are delighted to collaborate with NAFL as a leader entity in the industry."

Dubai Trade, which boasts of the biggest online portal for freight forwarding available 24x7 with instant services, said it was looking forward to welcoming the NAFL members, who are significant users of its e-services, to its professional programs to get a comprehensive understanding of supply chain and customs procedures.

"We also aim to provide them with the necessary knowledge to facilitate their daily business in addition of being internationally certified upon completion of the course," he stated.-TradeArabia News Service