The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) held its 35th Annual Convention 2007 in Hong Kong in December. The event was the sixth convention held outside India.
ACAAI president Keshav Tanna opened the Convention with an overview of the developments facing the air cargo industry in India and abroad, including the Air- India/Indian Airlines merger, the need for Customs to have uniform procedures at all ports and airports and the need for expediting the systems upgrade.
He reminded his audience of the competition from sea freight and listed several important IATA resolutions, which will become effective in 2008, including Resolution 606 and Resolution 815 (IATA agent to intermediary), and the possibility of accepting/introducing CASS.
Tanna also highlighted ACAAI’s involvement with various ministries through the CACG (Civil Aviation Core Group). While supporting the government’s need for security, he stressed that procedures had to be rational and practical.
Consul General of India in Hong Kong, Mr. Lal Duhthlana Ralte offered the delegates information about Hong Kong, trade statistics in comparison with India’s trade and information about Hong Kong Airport.
He noted that the Hong Kong bilateral talks would start soon, which would ease and further facilitate trade between Hong Kong and India.
The opening day of the Convention was followed by two days of business sessions with in-depth presentations on a variety of subjects, ranging from the evolving logistics environment to infrastructure development and from regulations, procedures& costs to supply chain logistics and knowledge and professionalism.
Apart from ACAAI members, presenters included senior executives from the forwarding industry, airlines, IT serviceproviders, shippers, banks and airports.