MILESTONES:
A summary overview of the history of AFFA.
Establishment.
In recognition of the vital role of transport and communications in development of the economy, the Transport and Communications Decade for Asia and the Pacific covering the period 1985 to 1994 was launched by the Meeting of the Ministers responsible for Transport and Communications in February 1985. A major aim of the Decade was to accelerate the development of the transport and communications in the ESCAP region in order to keep the development of these countries in pace with global development.
A mid-term review was undertaken in early 1990 to ensure that the Decade programme continued to reflect the immediate needs and actual requirements of member countries. In endorsing the recommendations of the mid-term review, the Commission agreed that the time-frame for the second half of the Decade by adjusted from 1990-1994 to 1992-1996.As a result of several meetings between FAPAA and UNESCAP, led by FMFF and with the active partipation of SAAA and PISFA, Mr. P.K. Lim (Chief of Transport and Communications Division of UNESCAP) it emerged that formation of an ASEAN organization for Freight Forwarders was the best way to go forward.
This was reported and discussed in the FAPAA meeting, and it was unanimously agreed that the ASEAN Countries should go ahead to form a new indapendent association with its own constitution. Spearheaded by FMFF and SAAA, the formation meeting was organised.
AFFA was formed with the following objectives :
- to unify all freight forwarders in the ASEAN region through national forwarders' associations.
- to foster, promote, develop and maintain close cooperation between and among freight forwarders in the ASEAN region.
- to represent members in their collective interests in relation to freight forwarding matters peculiar to the ASEAN region.
- to purpose all measures to improve the quality, standard and professionalism of freight forwarders in the ASEAN regions as well as to match with the Decade programme.
Inaugural Meeting 1991.
At the inaugural meeting of the AFFA held on 7 December, 1991 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Federation of Malaysian Forwarders Associations (FMFF) was elected Protem Chairman of the grouping.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.
Second Meeting 1992.
This was soon followed by the second meeting from 6 to 7 March, 1992 in Jakarta, Indonesia which deliberated and adopted the draft Constitution of AFFA. The Constitution was signed by Mr. Toon Teng Fatt, Malaysia Passport No A 5179023 on March 18th, 1992. And the Constitution was registered under Number 132/1992 by Notary Public in Jakarta in the second half of September one thousand nine hundred and ninety two (1992)-[23/9/1992]. AFFA's registered office and its address is at No.7. Jln Iskandarsyah Raya, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12160, Republic of Indonesia.
Third Meeting 1992.
At the third meeting held on May 6, 1992 in Pattaya, Thailand, a protem committee was elected as follows:
- Malaysia - Chairman
- Thailand - Vice Chairman
- Indonesia - Hon. Secretary
- Singapore - Hon. Treasurer
- Philippines - Council Member
At the same meeting, five Working Programmes were formulated with the following respective Chairmen :
- - Education and Training - Singapore
- - Insurance (Forwarders Liabilities) - Malaysia
- - Trade Facilitation - Thailand
- - Code of Ethics - Indonesia
- - Publicity - Philippines
AFFA AFFILIATION TO ASEAN.
On 7-9 October, 1992, the First Meeting of the 26th ASEAN Standing Committee held in Singapore approved the application of AFFA for affiliation with ASEAN as a Non-Governmental Organization.
Year 1993.
The fourth meeting of AFFA which was held on 6th November, 1993 in Manila, Philippines, confirmed the above mentioned registration. With this formalisation of the federation, the Protem Committee elected at the third meeting became the official office bearers of AFFA.
Year 1994.
In Singapore on November 25, 1994 the fifth AFFA meeting was held for various exchanges of information and working out several programmes.
Year 1995.
The sixth meeting of AFFA was held in Penang, Malaysia on 27th November 1995, in which the office bearers were eclected as below:
| Thailand (TIFFA) | Chair |
| Indonesia (INFA) | Vice Chair |
| Malaysia (FMFF) | Honorary Secretary |
| Singapore (SFFA) | Honorary Treasurer |
| Philippines (FEDFAP) | Member |
AFFA is aiming to have a sub-regional Standard Trading Condition by 1996 and also to assist and support the establishment of the National Freight Forwarders Associations in the other countries within ASEAN and in South East Asia, in order to strengthen the relationship and co-operation in the forwarding and transport industry.
Year 1996.
The seventh AFFA AGM meeting was held in Bali, Indonesia on 30th November, 1996. Council Members including:
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SFFA | Singapore Freight Forwarders Association |
| INFA | Indonesian Forwarders Association |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Associations in the Philppines [ Philippine Int’l Seafreight Forwarders Association, Inc. (PISFA) Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines, Incorporated] |
The meeting discussed various matters related to National Associations’ Standard Trading Conditions, education and training, forwarder liability insurance, trade facilitation, publicity and membeship…
Year 1998.
The eighth AFFA AGM meeting was held in Chiang-Mai, Thailand on 20-22 November, 1998. Council Members including :
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SFFA | Singapore Freight Forwarders Association |
| INFA | Indonesian Forwarders Association |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Associations in the Philppines [ Philippine Int’l Seafreight Forwarders Association, Inc. (PISFA) Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines, Incorporated] |
VIFFAS ( Vietnam Freight Forwardeers Association ) and Laos Freight Forwarder (LFF) attended as observers.
The meeting elected New Office Bearers for the year 1999-2000,including :
1- Thailand (TIFFA) : Chairman
2- Malaysia (FMFF) : Vice Chairman
3- Singapore (SFFA) : Honorary Secretary
4- Indonesia (INFA) : Honoray Treasurer.
And the Meeting agreed to remain unchanged the Working Groups of AFFA Programe, i.e.
1- Thailand (TIFFA) : Trade Facilitation
2- Philippine (PISFA) : Publicity.
3- Singapore (SFFA) : Education and Training.
4- Malaysia (FMFF) : Liability Insurance.
5- Indonesia (INFA) : Code of Ethics
The Meeting also discussed various matters related to freight forwarder industry, trade facilitation, forwarder liability insurance…
Year 1999.
The ninth AFFA AGM was meeting held in Manila, Philippines on 26-28 November, 1999. The Council Members included:
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SFFA | Singapore Freight Forwarders Association [Singapore Aircargo Agent Association (SAAA)] |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Associations in the Philippines [Philippine Int’l Seafreight Forwarders Association, Inc. (PISFA)] [Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines, Incorporated] |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association (New Council Member) |
In this meeting VIFFAS was accredited as Official Council Member.
MIFFA presented itself as an observer.
Year 2000.
The tenth meeting of AFFA was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on 23-24 November, 2000. The Council Members including :
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SLA | Singapore Logistics Association ( re-named) |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| PISFA | Philippine Int’l Seafreight Forwarders Association, Inc |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association (New Council Member) |
| MIFFA | Myanmar Int’l Freight Forwarder Association (New Council Member) |
Cambodia Freight Forwarder representative presented in the meeting as an observer. The meeting elected New Office Bearers for year 2001-2002 :
| 1- Singapore (SLA) | Chairman |
| 2- Philippine (PISFA) | Vice Chairman |
| 3- Vietnam (VIFFAS) | Honorary Secretary |
| 4- Malaysia (FMFF) | Honorary Treasurer |
The meeting discussed various matters relating to education and training, UNESCAP course in bangkok 17-21 July, 2000, liability insurance, publicity,.. The meeting also changed topic of working programe “Code of Ethics” into “Coodination with ASEAN Secretariat” in order to be suitable the affiliation between ASEAN and AFFA in the time being.
Year 2001.
The eleventh AFFA meeting was held in Penang, Malaysia on 8-9 November, 2001. The meeting consisted of :
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SLA | Singapore Logistics Association ( re-named) |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| PISFA | Philippine Int’l Seafreight Forwarders Association, Inc |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
| MIFFA | Myanmar Int’l Freight Forwarder Association (New Council Member) |
Cambodia Freight Forwarder representative attended as an observer.
BRUFA (Brunei Freight Forwarders Association - Council Member) was absent.
Beside discussion of usual topics and programs, the meeting also discussed other matters relating to E-Commerce, AFFA website, Tax and withholding tax, Co-ordinate with UNESCAP on TOT for 2002. Due the funding problem thefore the topic of TOT is not concluded.
Year 2002.
The twelfth AFFA AGM meeting was organized in December 15-17th, 2002 in Singapore hosted by Singapore Logistics Association.
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SLA | Singapore Logistics Association ( re-named) |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association (New Council Member) |
| MIFFA | Myanmar Int’l Freight Forwarder Association (New Council Member) |
Cambodia Freight Forwarder representative attended as an observer.
The meeting elected New Office Bearers for year 2003-2004 :
| 1- Philippine (FEDFAP) | Chairman |
| 2- Indonesia (INFA) | Vice Chairman |
| 3- Vietnam (VIFFAS) | Honorary Secretary |
| 4- Malaysia (FMFF) | Honorary Treasurer |
CONSTITUTION AMENDED.
Beside discussion of usual topics and programes, the meeting also discussed on amendement of AFFA Constitution, and training for trainers..... Co-ordinate with UNESCAP on TOT for 2003 in members country.
The Amended Constitution was registered at a Notary Public in Jakarta in November, 2003 before the 13th AFFA Annual General Meeting held in Manila. The Amended Constitution was also submitted to ASEAN General Secretariat and received the confirm of receipt by Letter Ref. No D4/MT/STOM-XVI/03/1062 dated 20th November, 2003 signed by Deputy Secretaty General - Mr. Pengiran Mashor Pengiran Ahmad.
Year 2003.
The thirteenth AFFA AGM meeting is organized in Manila, Philippinne in 4th - 6th December 2003 hosted by Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils.Inc (FEDFAP).
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SLA | Singapore Logistics Association ( re-named) |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association (New Council Member) |
| MIFFA | Myanmar Int’l Freight Forwarder Association (New Council Member) |
Cambodia Freight Forwarder representative attended as an observer.
Year 2004.
The fourteenth AFFA AGM meeting intended to be held on 24th – 25th November, 2004 in Yangon, Myanmar as MIFFA had taken turns to be the host country. But on 20th November, 2004 the meeting had to be postponed due to special circumstances. Under efforts rendered by Stanley Lim/SLA, Mr. Chairman Angelito Colona and Somsak/TIFFA the meeting moved to Bangkok, Thailand under TIFFA as organizer. The Meeting was held on 25th November, 2004 at Windsor Suite Hotel. The 14th AFFA General Meeting attended by :
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SLA | Singapore Logistics Association ( re-named) |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association (New Council Member) |
| MIFFA | Myanmar Int’l Freight Forwarder Association (New Council Member) |
FMFF : Absent due to the delegates who had flown to Yangon were unable returning Bangkok in time for the meeting on 25th November, 2004.
CAMFFA : Attended as an observer.
LIFFA : Busy with other meeting in Vientiane
The Meeting elected New Office Bearers for year 2005-2006 :
| 1- Philippine (FEDFAP) | Chairman |
| 2- Indonesia (INFA) | Vice Chairman |
| 3- Vietnam (VIFFAS) | Honorary Secretary |
| 4- Malaysia (FMFF) | Honorary Treasurer |
Year 2005.
The fifteenth AFFA AGM meeting is organized at Menara Peninsula Hotel, in Jakarta, Indonesia from 28th – 29th November, 2005 hosted by Indonesian Forwarders Association – INFA. The meeting presented by council members :
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SLA | Singapore Logistics Association ( re-named) |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
VIFFAS |
Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association (New Council Member) |
| MIFFA | Myanmar Int’l Freight Forwarder Association (New Council Member) |
Before 16th AGM taken place in Jakarta, AFFA Honorary Secretary General sent a message to CAMFFA and LIFFA for their confirmation of officially joining AFFA as Council Members but no responces from these two national associations. The meeting considered the sugestion from Camffa and Liffa to obtain a 50% reduction of USD1000 anuual membership fee for period of two years. And the meeting acknowdeged the kind offer from Mr. Bayani Coching of FEDPAP to personally subsidize Camffa and Liffa upon the 50% reduction of Member fee. The amount of subsidy is USD 2000. ( 2 countries x USD 1000 x 2 years X 50% ) for the period of 2 years.
For which Camffa and Liffa seemed to be AFFA members from 2006 onward.
Year 2006.
The sixteenth AFFA AGM meeting is organized at Sunway Resort Hotel in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia from 15th – 16th Novmeber, 2006 hosted by Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders. The meeting presented by council members:
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association |
| CAMFFA | Cambodia Feight Forwarders Association |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| MIFFA | Myanmar Int’l Freight Forwarder Association |
| SLA & SAAA | Singapore Logistics Association and Singapore Aircargo Agents Association |
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
LIFFA : Absent with apologies.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WORKING GROUPS.
Beside various programs,like Education & Training, Liability Insurance, Trade Facilitation… the AGM decided on the following for the Working Group on Logistics Services (WGLS):
Overall Chaiman : Chairman of AFFA.
Customs : BRUFA
HR & Building : Singapore
Logistics and Trade Facilitation : TIFFA
Multimodal Transport : VIFFAS
Liberalization : INFA
I.T. : FMFF
The Meeting elected New Office Bearers for the year 2006-2008 :
| 1- Indonesia (INFA) | Chairman |
| 2- Brunei (BRUFA) | Vice Chairman |
| 3- Philippines (FEDFAP) | Honorary Secretary |
| 4- Malaysia (FMFF) | Honorary Treasurer |
Year 2007.
The seventeenth AFFA AGM meeting is organized at Orchid Garden Hotel, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 5th – 6th Novmeber, 2007 hosted by Brunei Freight Forwarders Association (BRUFA). The meeting presented by council members:
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association |
| CAMFFA | Cambodia Feight Forwarders Association |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| SLA & SAAA | Singapore Logistics Association and Singapore Aircargo Agents Association |
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
LIFFA : Absent with apologies.
MIFFA : Absent with apologies.
Year 2008.
The eighteenth AFFA AGM meeting is organized at the Cambodiana Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 17 and 18 October 2008, hosted by the Cambodian Freight Forwarders Association (CAMFFA).
Members present at the meeting were:
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association |
| CAMFFA | Cambodia Feight Forwarders Association |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| SLA & SAAA | Singapore Logistics Association and Singapore Aircargo Agents Association |
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
LIFFA : Absent with apologies.
MIFFA : Absent with apologies.
At the meeting the following office bearers were elected for the 2 year period 2008-2010:
| 1- Indonesia (INFA) | Chairman |
| 2- Vietnam (VIFFAS) | Vice Chairman |
| 3- Cambodia (CAMFFA) | Honorary Secretary |
| 4- Singapore (SAAA) | Honorary Treasurer |
For viewing the draft minutes of this meeting please click on the this link: minutes.
Year 2009.
Organised by VIFFAS, the nineteenth AFFA AGM and WGET meeting was held in Ho Chi Minh City from November 2009. The meeting was attended by the following member countries:
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association |
| CAMFFA | Cambodia Feight Forwarders Association |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| INFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| MIFFA | Myanmar International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SLA & SAAA | Singapore Logistics Association and Singapore Aircargo Agents Association |
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
LIFFA unfortunately was absent with apologies.
For viewing the report of the AGM please click here.
Year 2010
In October 2010 the twentieth AFFA AGM was held in Bangkok, Thailand, preceeded by the nineth WGET meeting.
The meeting was attended by the following members:
| BRUFA | Brunei Freight Forwarders Association |
| CAMFFA | Cambodia Feight Forwarders Association |
| FEDFAP | Federation of Forwarders’ Association in the Phils. Inc. |
| FMFF | Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders |
| ILFA | Indonesia Forwarders Association |
| LIFFA | Laos International Freight Forwarders Association |
| MIFFA | Myanmar International Freight Forwarders Association |
| SLA & SAAA | Singapore Logistics Association and Singapore Aircargo Agents Association |
| TIFFA | Thai International Freight Forwarders Association |
| VIFFAS | Vietnam Freight Forwarders Association |
At the meeting the following office bearers were elected for the 2 year period 2010-2012:
| 1- Thailaind (TIFFA) | Chairman |
| 2- Malaysia (FMFF) | Vice Chairman |
| 3- Cambodia (CAMFFA) | Honorary Secretary |
| 4- Singapore (SAAA) | Honorary Treasurer |
For viewing the draft minutes of this meeting please click on the this link:report