Events FIATA RAME Conference 2011 in Qatar Begins

Doha , June 06 (QNA) - The events of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) field meeting of the Association Members of the region Africa Middle East (RAME) began here on Monday .The event was organized by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI).
QCCI's Vice Chairman Mohammed Bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari said in his opening address that the freight sector in the GCC gained great importance, "benefiting from the growth of GCC economies in different sectors...in addition to the GCC being a major center for the transfer of energy whether oil or gas."
Brushing on the growth of the energy sector in Qatar in particular, the QCCI's Vice Chairman mentioned the country's distinguished global status in exporting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and in addition to the number of large projects the country will undertake in light of hosting the 2022 World Cup. "All the indicators refer that that Qatar will play a pivotal role in (the shipping sector) through International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA)," he said.
He said that the availability infra-structural and the legislative structure contributes to promoting world trade. He said that they will address, during the meeting, the challenges that face the freight and logistics sector in light of the economic developments globally.
For his part, President of Qatar Association of Freight and Logistics at the QCCI Ali Bin Abdulatif Al Misnad reviewed the economic and social development in the State of Qatar in the past 20 years. He noted that Qatar enjoys an "attractive business environment", which is one of the main factors of attracting investments to Qatar. Events FIATA RAME Conference 2011 in Qatar Begins/1/

Elaborating Al Misnad said that Qatar National Vision 2030 is based on transforming Qatari economy from "an energy-based economy into a knowledge-based economy."
He touched on the infra-structure investments made in Qatar, citing plans for rail projects worth $25 billion. "Qatar has committed to building more than $40 billion worth of transportation projects," he said.
He further said that it is important that Qatar joins FIATA in light of the economic progress Qatar is now witnessing, adding that developing the Freight and logistics sector can boost trade.
Al Misnad said that they will address a number of issues related to freight and logistics in the conference in addition to the obstacles facing world trade.
He expressed his hope that all transport and shipping companies in Qatar will join Qatar Association of Freight and Logistics, saying that this would contribute to regulating the work of companies operating in that sector. He stressed that the investments to be undertaken by the state in the next 10 years will have a positive impact on the transport and shipping sectors.
For his part, President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations Jean-Claude Delen said that FIATA represents 40,000 companies in 115 countries who employ more than 10 million people. He said that these numbers gives the organization a legitimate status in the industry.
Chairman of Africa Atlantic Holding Issa Baluch on his part, praised the widescale progress the State of Qatar is currently witnessing, noting that such a progress reflects the development of the transport sector and logistics in the country. He pointed to the importance of the transport sector in promoting exports and imports between nations.(QNA)