Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 2 – ASEAN from its inception in1967 to 1991 showed that economic cooperation among its members was not successful until 1992 when the leaders of the member states agreed to work towards an ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), and continued with an acceleration effort for the implementation of the AFTA agreement in 1995.

The report said that the key of the change in policy and to the relatively successful implementation of AFTA was the shift in the domestic balance of power in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand from economic nationalist to liberal reformers. Crucial to the success full implementation of AFTA was the distinctive approach to regional cooperation and collaboration that has developed among the ASEAN members.

According to McKinsey (2021), to grow and stay competitive, logistics players have realized that Asia will likely be the single-most important addition to their business portfolios. Asia is projected to recover faster that other region economically and will be at the center of logistics activities both in growth and investment. It will contribute about 55%, with intra-Asia trade growth to making up the rest. The Asian e-Commerce logistics market will account for 57% of total market growth from 2020 to 2025.
After the big hit of Covid-19 break, logistics and transport business remains develop rapidly especially in the region of ASEAN and ASIAN countries, where AFFA members play most significant role in the fast movement of goods using all possible mode of transport. Meanwhile, the big challenge of logistics operation especially towards efficient operation, the appliance of newest updated digitalization and sustainability program remains exist.

AFFA has come to the schedule to hold 33rd AFFA Annual Conference and General Meeting this year which are planned to be held in the beautiful city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 1-2 December 2023. The event will be leaded by AFFA Chairman Mr. Alvin Chua from Malaysia and take place in Naga World1 Hotel taking the theme "SEAMLESS LOGISTICS CONNECTIVITY IN ASEAN".

AFFA will also invite ASIAN partners form China, Japan and Korea to attend, share and do short presentation during the event to share on the newest updated issues of transport and logistics in the region. AFFA and CLA, as the host country, will also hold B2B meeting sessions, which is the most important for freight forwarders and logistics providers in developing the markets. B2B meeting are planned during the event to widen the possibility for all participant from logistics and Freight Forwarders players in ASEAN countries in networking program. The B2B session will involve all AFFA members, hundreds of CLA members and delegation from China, Japan, Korea.
Cambodia Logistics Association (CLA) will become the great host for this upcoming AFFA great event.

This event will hopefully empower and widen the best connectivity between businesses and logistics players in ASEAN and ASIA countries to support the world economics.