Noting the current challenging environment for air cargo, the chairman of the Japan Aircargo Forwarders Association (JAFA), Keiichi Nakatani struck an optimistic note while giving the opening address at FAPAA’s 35Thexecutive Council Meeting in Tokyolast month.
“We know, at present, the prospects of the global economy are not as bright as they used to be a few years ago,” Nakatani said. “I believe, however, given the potential of the Asian-Pacifi c economy, air cargo in the region will increase in the medium term.”
But while the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing area in the world and a key driver of the global economy, he highlighted the importance of further liberalising markets in the region.
“It is said that this is the century of the Asia-Pacific region. However, this can be achieved only when we succeed in creating more liberal and open markets in the region, equipped with sufficient infrastructure to support free movements of people and goods,” Nakatani said. He also noted the recent Japanese government plan called Asian Gateway, aimed at keeping the Japanese economy growing in the decades ahead. The plan is premised on increasing the flow of people, goods and ideas between the Asian region and the rest of the world to maintain economic growth in all countries.
Specifically the plan commits greater cooperation with Asia Pacifi c countries to help improve the transport environment, including roads, sea and airports. He also called upon freight forwarders to meet the rising demand for air cargo services in the region, “so that we can continue to offer reliable and better services to our clients in changing circumstances.”