KARACHI, Oct 26: Pakistan has been elected for one of the top slots of vice president of the Federation of International Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA).

The FIATA Congress held in Dubai on October 22, where around 1,070 delegates from over 130 countries elected Babar Badat, chairman Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA), as vice president.

This is the first time Pakistan has been elected at the top slot on this prestigious logistics forum.

With the fast changing global trading environment FIATA seems to have a growing role in defining the parameters of the international transport and logistics environment and regimes.

This year’s congress was also a landmark for Pakistan because it approved and validated a 240-hour logistics and freight forwarding course developed by PIFFA as an international standard FIATA certified course. This will help to contribute in upgrading industry’s level.

Efficient logistics is the basic prerequisite for the development of any economy, however, it remain a diversified and fairly technical field. The efforts being made by PIFFA will contribute in developing the national trade and economic environment. President of FIATA Manfred Boes visited Pakistan early this year for a regional transit trade conference, which was hosted by PIFFA and was attended by 225 local and foreign delegates.

Mr Boes along with chairman PIFFA also called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The FIATA delegates also got the opportunity to see the initiatives being taken for the development of the freight and logistics industry in Pakistan.