CLECAT and FIATA Reinforce Longstanding Partnership
Brussels, Geneva, 11 November 2021 – CLECAT and FIATA, respectively, the European and global associations for freight forwarding and logistics services providers have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reinforce the longstanding cooperation between the two Associations. The signing of the MoU by the respective Associations took place today.
Following the signing event which took place virtual FIATA President, Basil Pietersen said: ‘For many years FIATA and CLECAT have worked collaboratively on agreed international transport, logistics and supply chain management issues, both bodies working with national, regional, and international governmental and non-governmental agencies. In all relationships, however, there exists the need to review, revaluate and reinvigorate cooperation. Over the past year FIATA and CLECAT have agreed on the need for a new MoU. By renewing and strengthening our MoU, we can work more effectively in pursuing our common goals and objectives.’
CLECAT President Willem van der Schalk added: ‘The new MoU with FIATA is a great opportunity to strengthen our cooperation and to join forces whenever possible. The framework for cooperation enables both Associations to benefit from agreed actions and initiatives to achieve common objectives to assist our members through the current challenges and disruptions within the supply chain and across multimodal transport operations.’
The Associations will continue to address the issues which are of key importance to their industry, including engagement with policy makers and stakeholders on issues such as trade facilitation, digitalisation, and the key challenges to secure decarbonisation across the transport and logistics industry. However, ensuring a level playing field with the other parties in the logistics chain remains equally key. In a rapidly changing business environment, the Associations need to respond to the needs of their respective members (and their members) to ensure that supply chains maintain resilience, efficient, effective and seek to promote these requirements towards governmental and non-governmental associations.
The Associations recall that it remains important to increase understanding on the crucial role of the freight forwarding industry in ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of global supply chains in the movement of goods in the global economy Today, the international freight forwarder’s inherent skills, knowledge and value-added services in the international movement of goods remains pivotal to economic upturn by facilitating trade across borders. This is true not only for large companies but also for SMEs which contribute important benefits to society in all economies.
FIATA and CLECAT share a long history. Their collaboration has been ongoing for more than 25 years, with their first MoU signed in Dubai in 1999. Since then, both Associations have engaged to ensure the interests of freight forwarders are represented coherently and convincingly within the EU and worldwide.
The press release can be downloaded below.
About CLECAT
CLECAT is the leading voice of freight forwarding, logistics and customs services at European level. Based in Brussels, we represent and are supported by 25 member organisations working to promote a sound approach to transport and logistics across Europe, in support of the competitiveness of our industry.
Media Contact
CLECAT – European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services
77 Rue du Commerce
B-1040 Brussels
Belgium
T. +32 2503 4705
Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General
nicolettevdjagt@clecat.org
About FIATA
FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations is a nongovernmental, membership-based organization representing freight forwarders in some 150 countries. FIATA’s membership is composed of 109 Associations Members and more than 5,500 Individual Members, overall representing an industry of 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide. Based in Geneva, FIATA is ‘the global voice of freight logistics’ www.fiata.com.
Media Contact
FIATA – International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations
Rue Kléberg 6
Geneva 1201
Switzerland
T. +41 22 715 4512
Stéphane Graber, Director General
communications@fiata.com