The Turkish Forwarding and Logistics Association (UTIKAD), a prominent logistics association and a vital sector lobbying group, has signed a cooperation agreement with Ethiopia’s FIATA-member association, the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA).
This agreement was formalized during a side event at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Global Air Cargo Summit in Antalya, Türkiye, on April 9.
The partnership aims to strengthen the ties between the two associations and enhance collaboration in the transportation sectors of both countries.
Under the terms of the new agreement, UTIKAD and EFFSAA will collaborate to develop logistics expertise and foster stronger industry relations.
EFFSAA Board of Directors President Dawit Woubishet stated that the protocol will assist Ethiopian logistics professionals in expanding their skills. “UTIKAD is well-known for its robust training programs and expertise in the sector,” he remarked.
The ICAO Global Air Cargo Summit, the first of its kind in the organization’s 75-year history, provided a platform for industry leaders to discuss key logistics trends.
Dawit, who also serves as Chairperson of the Airfreight Institute at the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), presented Ethiopia’s progress in digitalizing its transport sector.
He emphasized the country’s advancements in e-commerce, which is significantly developing to serve the continent, as well as improvements in perishable cargo handling.
“This event was an opportunity to showcase our standards and identify areas where we need to collaborate with more digitally advanced partners,” Dawit explained.
In addition to the ICAO summit, which concluded on April 11, Dawit attended the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Dubai, the largest industry event with nearly 2,000 participants. A significant milestone was achieved at the symposium, with FIATA and IATA agreeing to enhance data exchange cooperation.
“This agreement will improve collaboration between airlines and freight forwarders in cargo handling,” Dawit said. “It also brings us closer to realizing FIATA’s ‘Air Cargo Global Program,’ which was launched during the 2023 meeting in Addis Ababa.”
