Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA) was established in 1981 with the objective of bringing all freight forwarders and logistics providers under one umbrella and with a view to institutionalizing and professionalizing the trade. Today the Government, relevant Government agencies and the trade have recognized the SLFFA as the Apex body representing the industry. SLFFA currently has over 150 leading freight forwarding and logistics companies in its membership and 2 Affiliated members namely Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) and Association of Clearing Forwarding Agents (ACFA).
In addition to specific Air & Sea matters, SLFFA work towards maximizing benefits to the freight forwarding and logistics industry by exploiting to the maximum potential of Sri Lanka’s strategic geographical location. It has identified the need for greater investment for the development of Air and Sea freight facilities, infrastructure and in the development of human resources to sustain the fruition of Sri Lanka becoming the hub port in the region.
Towards this, the SLFFA has played a participatory role in developing a comprehensive shipping policy for Sri Lanka and in formulating a National Civil Aviation Development Plan. The Association is also working towards raising standards within the industry and making the Sri Lankan freight forwarding and logistics industry a dynamic and more responsive trade sector by
Reducing the inconsistencies in vital areas such as documentation, liability insurance, standard trading conditions, and settlement of claims to be in the best interests of the trade.
Developing human resources within the industry through internationally and locally recognized training programs for the staff of member companies as well as those who aspire to join the industry.
Gearing up the industry to face challenges and meet the demands of an electronic trading environment.
Having a close relationship and an active dialogue with the Airlines, Shipping Lines, Customs, Port Authority, and relevant Government agencies and trade bodies.
SLFFA launched an international class training academy in November 2006. Fully endorsed and supported by its members and all sectors of trade and industry connected to international trade and transportation, it has been named as The Academy of International Trade and Transport (AITT).
AITT
is the training arm of SLFFA and endorsed by the United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP),
the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations
(FIATA), and the Competency-based Training and Assessment (CBTA) of International Air
Transport Association (IATA). It is also a training institute
approved by the Directorate of Merchant Shipping, Ministry of Ports &
Aviation.
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The Association is mindful of the developments taking place in the international freight forwarding arena and tries to keep the Sri Lankan freight forwarding & logistics industry abreast with the rest of the world. SLFFA also keep connection with activities in other parts of the World and as such is an active member of the regional and global freight forwarding bodies, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and Federation of Asia-Pacific Air Cargo Associations (FAPAA), the regional body formed by seventeen country Association who are very active in developing common solutions to issues of concern to air forwarders at a global and regional level.
In addition, SLFFA is also an active member of local bodies that are actively involved in the country’s trade and commerce such as The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and The Sri Lanka Shippers Council. SLFFA liaises closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Ports & Shipping, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, Sri Lanka Customs, Board of Investment, and Director General Merchant Shipping.
Sri Lanka, also known as the paradise in the Indian Ocean in ancient days, is now set to become the South Asian hub that would see an increase in freight forwarding activities through the extensive use of cutting-edge technology. The vision is to expand the scope of SLFFA Cargo Services Limited as the commercial arm of SLFFA and develop projects in areas such as E.D.I., training, ocean freight handling that would be for the common use & benefit of the whole freight forwarding & logistics industry. Hence, along with much improvement in the current state of business which is made possible due to team effort of the authorities involved such as the Airport Aviation Services, the Port Authority, the EDB, the Department of Civil Aviation and the Airlines and the shipping companies themselves, would make Sri Lanka the best hub in this region and of course one of the leading in the world, in the long run.
To be the leading force in the advancement of Freight & Logistics Services in Sri Lanka
To promote professionalism and excellence and strengthen the freight forwarding and logistics Industry, SLFFA to serve and lead its diverse membership through advocacy, innovation, and information sharing.
Resonating the resilience nature of Sri Lankans, we the logisticians too are slowly but surely recovering from the economic crisis and its negative impact on our industry. Whilst acknowledging the fact that we are not “out of the woods yet”, believe there is no better time to re-energize some of the very important logistics industry related initiatives we lobbied for prior to the onset of the Pandemic. These will be SLFFA’s immediate focus and I earnestly look forward to the support of all progressive minded stake holders in our quest.
The paradise isle in the Indian Ocean: Sri Lanka’s economy rapidly expanded in the 1980s, largely due the country moving to an open economic environment, resulting in a huge growth in the nation’s import and export sectors.
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Promote, protect and develop a sound freight forwarding and logistics industry, as the association may deem appropriate, in close cooperation and consultation with any government or non-governmental authority or the private sector.
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