More FIATA Vietnam

     In this age of global instant communication where everybody is either a podcast or celebrating personal triumphs in business or life, it is not unusual that Dr. Thomas Sim, just named President of FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations at that organization’s big bash in Hanoi, Vietnam is featured here.
     The Handover Ceremony "passing the torch", also features outgoing President Turgut Erkeskin, President and CEO of GENEL TRANSPORT Istanbul.
     Mr. Sim, who will for the next two years, generously divide his time furthering the lot of freight forwarding worldwide (FIATA celebrates its 100th anniversary since being founded in Austria in 1926) with his duties in Singapore as Group Chief Executive Officer of International Freight Consultants Ltd. IFC (a member of ‘The Topocean Group’).
     All good wishes from Geoffrey Arend, your FIATA Fellow 2016.

     Brandon Fried appearing on a panel at the FIATA World Congress titled: "Navigating The New Trade Landscape: Challenges Amid Global Trade Realignment" along with, left to right—Dr. John Kent, Retired Director Supply Chain China Initiatives and a Clinical Professor in the Supply Chain Management Department in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas; H.E Mousa Al Bargi, Deputy Minister for Logistics Services at the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mr. Brandon Fried, Executive Director, The Airforwarders Association; Mr. Martin Lee, Regional Sales Manager-Africa, Asia, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & ANZ, WiseTech Global.

Brandon's POV

It was a real honor to speak before such an engaged international audience here in Hanoi at the FIATA World Congress. Our panel dug into what’s happened since the end of the U.S. de minimis exemption on August 29 — and it’s clear the industry is still adjusting. We’ve gone from millions of easy, low-value parcels to fewer, heavier, fully compliant shipments. Costs are up, workflows are slower, but compliance is stronger and fraud is down. Forwarders are adapting fast, and I left the session encouraged by the energy, ideas, and global collaboration I saw in that room.

     There are side-events conducted during our industry driven trade shows; a FAM trip that offers a bit of insight about where you are for those three days business jaunts.
     Just once in a while comes an immersion into something unique, if not completely unexpected.
     The rich and beautiful legacy of Hong Kong came to mind earlier this year when International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cargo held its event there raising business possibilities and romance of a truly great world city, vibrant and alive as part of China in 2025, and home to Airport Authority Hong Kong, the busiest air cargo hub in the world.
     October 6-10, FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, the global group of Freight Forwarders conducted its Annual World Congress in Hanoi, Vietnam. The organization based in Switzerland nears its 100th Birthday next year since being founded in Austria in 1926.
     Reportedly 1,000 delegates from more than 100 countries attended sessions focused on digital transformation, green logistics, and global integration.
     Highlighting sustainability and the growing importance of Vietnam in world markets, FIATA showcased Vietnam's growing role as a logistics hub and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
     With a tip of the hat to Alvin Chua, (above) FCILT, President at Selangor Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association (SFFLA), a side-trip during the FIATA Congress to Train Street in Hanoi was a real eye opener.
     Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, Train Street is a real live railway built by the French colonialists that connected Hanoi and other cities in Vietnam all the way south to Saigon in 1902.
     It all started out well some 123 years ago, but as Hanoi grew, residents began to construct homes and businesses dangerously close to the tracks and over time, the railway turned into a piece of the every day rhythm of life in the area, where families cooked meals, children played, and vendors set up for business, just feet from the tracks.
     Today if you can believe it, trains still run and pass daily in Old Hanoi just inches away from every-day residents and tourists actually sitting at tables just near the track.
     Emphatic, dramatic, dynamic—an unexpected and memorable takeaway was a train to catch for FIATA delegates in Hanoi!