DUBAI, Sept.6, 2006 (WAM) -- The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Dubai-based National Association of Freight Logistics (NAFL), a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), based in Zurich, Switzerland, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to jointly establish a system to ensure competency, accountability and professional liability insurance for the freight forwarding and transport logistics industry in the emirate of Dubai.

Captain Mansoor Ghafoor, President of NAFL and Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General for Executive Affairs, DED, were the signatories of the agreement. Mr. Issa Baluch, Former President of FIATA, and a number of DED and NAFL officials also attended the signing ceremony.

DED and NAFL will implement a system to assess the competency levels of new and existing license holders and introduce vocational training to enhance competency levels and accountability of license holders, besides applying professional liability insurance schemes with internationally adopted standards.

"We back any initiative directed towards positioning Dubai as a center of excellence. The agreement signed between the two parties shows the commitment of both the private and government sector in raising the standard of logistics industry in the UAE," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of Emirates Group and Patron of NAFL.

DED and NAFL intend to work jointly towards the introduction and establishment of a system to ensure that operators and service providers in this industry have, or acquire through NAFL, the necessary competency levels and knowledge required for their business and comply withinternational standards and conventions.

"The Government of Dubai recognizes the importance of the culture of quality and the implementation of quality criteria in maintaining Dubai's strengths. DED have introduced specific mechanisms and measures to support the ongoing development of services and products and to strengthen our relationship with stakeholders," said Mr. Ali Ibrahim.

"We call upon our partners in both the private and public sector to join us and other government departments in our drive towards quality through innovative approaches," added Mr. Ibrahim.

"The agreement with the DED is NAFL's first official MoU with a government department. The MoU marks both the DED's and NAFL's commitment towards the conversion of the logistics industry to become a center of quality and excellence. We seek to encourage and develop the standard of those working in the field without any restrictions," said Captain Mansoor.

DED and NAFL will use all reasonable efforts to develop, plan and implement a system with the purpose of improving the quality and competency of the logistics industry.