The Federation of Asia-Pacifi c Aircargo Associations comprises 17 organisations: Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics, 

Japan Aircargo Forwarders Association, Korea International Freight ForwardersAssociation, Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines Inc, Taiwan Airfreight Forwarders Association, SingaporeAircargo Agents Association, Thailand Airfreight Forwarders Association, Indonesian Forwarders Association,Macau Air Freight Forwarding (Logistics) Association, Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders, AustralianFederation of International Forwarders, Air Cargo Agents Association of India, Sri Lanka Freight ForwardersAssociation, Brunei Freight Forwarders Association, Association of Air Cargo Agents of Bangladesh and NepalFreight Forwarders Association, Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand.

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."

Delegates from 13 of the 16 FAPAA member countries wrapped up two days of meetings from 25 - 26 April in Tokyo, hosted by the JapanAircargo Forwarders Association (JAFA).

For the first time the meeting was delimited by a set of legal guidelines drafted as a result of anti-trust actions currently taking place against forwarders and carriers. Key issues discussed by the 37 delegates included changes to IATA's Air Waybill conditions of contract, progress on IATA's E-freight initiative and global CASS initiatives and cooperation with other bodies such as FIATA.

In particular the recent changes to the Air Waybill, known as Resolution 600b were discussed, with the delegates saying it was "disappointing" that the redraft did not contain a definition of "carriage" or clarification of their application.

It has been recommended that forwarders include wording, via a separate statement attached to the air waybill, that specifies that the conditions of contract apply to all carriage and not simply airport- to-airport.

Th e new document came into effect on 17 March 2008 with the FAPAA council advising that despite the fact some carriers continued to use the old waybill - for environmental, cost saving or other reasons - the new waybill is legally binding. Security took pride of place at the meeting with extensive presentations on the latest developments in the global security environment, as well as FAPAA's various involvement with other organisations, including industry bodies and governmental organisations.

A key issue discussed at length was the two different security regimes being established at either end of the Atlantic - the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme in Europe and the 100 per cent scanning requirement in the US.

FAPAA chairman observed that, "Air Cargo operates in the global space and non-harmonised national programs add considerable and unjustified cost." "Having two different approaches presents signifi cant problems for practitioners in the region. With two thirds of world cargo starting somewhere in the region, it's clear the scope of the problem," added council member Peter McNamara.

A crucial step forward in promoting the views of FAPAA may lie with some form of cooperation with the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines which has expressed interest in working together with FAPAA on the security issue.

Another crucial step forward is the invitation by APEC for FAPAA to make a presentation at an upcoming meeting. Membership of China was also discussed and it was noted that following the recent election in Taiwan relations between the two parties have improved significantly, fuelling optimism that this will help smooth the entry of China into FAPAA.

Agreement in principle was reached by FAPAA members, including Taiwan, for China to become a full member, following further discussions and unspecified "adjustments".

Council member Walter Nahr said the details will be worked out in the coming weeks and months, adding: "Everybody appreciates the importance of both in terms of air cargo in the region. It is in the interest of FAPAA that both are members of the association."

Singapore scored a deuce at FAPAA's annual awards night with Singapore Airlines Cargo and Singapore Airport Terminal Services Limited (SATS) both walking away with top honours. Th e FAPAA Award seeks to honour the best in the airfreight business as identified by the national airfreight associations through an annual survey conducted by the global auditing firm of Ernst & Young.

SIA Cargo took the top award for the third year in a row, after being voted number one in "Th e Best Airline Cargo Service" category by FAPAA. Th e Singapore carrier beat out second place Emirates SkyCargo and third ranked Cathay Pacifi c Cargo.

Factors that were taken into consideration when the evaluations were made include uplift and delivery as committed, track and trace capability, pre-shipment service, staff customer service and value-for- money service.

SATS on the other hand, also took top honours by winning the "Most Friendly Airport for Cargo 2006-07". SATS was evaluated based on these criteria ¨C cargo delivery time, competitive costs, level of loss or pilferage, availability of value-added services as well as level of efficiency and customer service.

It beat Incheon and Hong Kong airports, which placed second and third, respectively.

Said Mr Yacoob Piperdi, SATS' Senior Vice President (Cargo): "Winning the FAPAA Award is a double joy for us as this is the second award we have clinched within the same week. It is a recognition of our strong commitment in continuously improving our cargo handling facilities and services for the benefit of the air cargo community."

 FAPAA'S  35th Executive Council Meeting was held in Tokyo, with next year's to be held in either Bangkok or Colombo.