»Mr Thomas Sim

THE first freight management course by ASEAN Federation of Forwarders’ Association began in Yangon on June 14, an initiative designed to increase the region’s competitiveness in freight handling by focusing on human resources in the industry.

Singapore was previously the only ASEAN-member country to adhere to the International Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Association standard, the international industry body which validated ASEAN’s similar AFFA Diploma Course.

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The diploma in Singapore was only available as a part-time course over one and a half years under FIATA. Myanmar now becomes the first ASEAN country to offer a 40-hour intensive course over five days following the unveiling of the AFFA Diploma Course at the 13th AFFA Annual General Meeting in Manila, Philippines in December 2003.

“The purpose of conducting this program is to elevate the standards of the freight forwarding and logistics profession in Myanmar and the ASEAN region,” said Mr Thomas Sim, chairman of Education and Training Department of AFFA.

Mr Stanley Lim, chairman of the Singapore Logistics Association, last Monday highlighted the significance of Myanmar’s undertaking of the course.

“I must say that Myanmar is… the first to seize the opportunity to start this program since AFFA adopted the diploma course in December 2003,” he said.

Mr Lim told Myanmar Times the course would help prepare Myanmar to operate in the future ASEAN Free Trade Zone agreed for 2020, through a better understanding of the theory behind freight logistics.

“Through attending this course, we can theoretically realise the process of freight forwarding. In the past we have managed freight forwarding documentation practically and we must admit we have less theoretical knowledge. We hope to learn a more systematic approach,” said one of the 39 entrepreneurs attending the training course.

The AFFA Diploma Course is offered by Myanmar International Freight Fowarders’ Association for a fee of US$250 a person, with tuition conducted by qualified members of Singapore Logistics Association.