The Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the China International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFA) to strengthen their long-standing partnership.
This MoU, which will come into effect from 1 August and was signed by HAFFA chairman Gary Lau and CIFA secretary-general Cui Jiaguo, contiuues the cooperation set out in the last agreement and introduces new provisions aimed at advancing business development for members.
The two industry bodies will consider organising delegations to visit or participate in industrial events hosted by both associations, including meetings, forums, seminars, conferences, and other activities—to further promote industry exchange and development, said HAFFA.
This will help create more commercial opportunities for their respective members and construct an influential international logistics alliance, added HAFFA.
Lau said: “Our association has maintained a close collaboration with CIFA over the years, with both of us working together in a spirit of mutual trust and support to promote the sustainable development of the logistics industry.
"The renewal of the MOU can further consolidate our cooperation foundation, as well as open up more cross-border collaboration opportunities for members in both regions.
"In the future, in order to deepen exchanges with enterprises in Mainland, we aim to actively participate in a diverse range of industry activities such as conferences, forums, and seminars.
"These activities can help our members stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments. Furthermore, while promoting deeper cooperation between the logistics sectors of Hong Kong and Mainland, we also strive to seize the new opportunities brought by China’s economic growth, inject continuous impetus into the local logistics industry, and thereby driving the sector toward high-quality development.”
The international logistics alliance formed under the MOU, which contains an automatic renewal clause of its initial five-year validity, sees both associations agree to establish a cross-boundary communication platform.
Encompassing entities such as shippers, carriers, airports and ports as well as HAFFA members, in addition to improving the overall international logistics business environment for its members, the platform will aim to promote development in areas such as technology, regulations, quality of service, information, capital and talent.
HAFFA was established in 1966, and is responsible for setting industry standards as well as providing various educational courses regularly which enhance the professional standards of the freight forwarders and logistics providers in the Hong Kong SAR.
Established in 2000 and headquartered in Beijing, CIFA has worked closely with HAFFA since its inception, the two organisations regularly exchange views and advise on a wide range of matters, including the implementation of VAT on China's mainland in 2014.
