CIFFA, the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association, celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2018 with a three-day conference in October, themed "Global Supply Chains in a Digital Future."
There were many moments of fun, networking, and connection, but also some important messages that emerged from our talented group of speakers.
As one of our keynote speakers highlighted, we are in a new data environment, where data and information “have gone from being static, scarce, highly structured, and authoritative, to bottom-up, dynamic, ‘messy,’ and ubiquitous.”
In terms of government, regulations, and trade, Canada, during recent negotiations with the US and Mexico on moving forward with a revamped North American Free Trade Agreement (now USMCA), is still facing a new age of protectionism with duties and tariffs, and where the classification of products has become ever more key in compliance, to ensure a smooth flow of trade into Canada and out of the country.
Under the Canada Europe Trade Agreement (CETA), meanwhile, we’ve gone from about 50 percent of goods being covered by some kind of tariff to about 2 percent. That really represents a very big opportunity for Canada-Europe trade.
Another main theme of our conference was that technology should be embraced where it is an opportunity and an enhancement, not a disruptor.
Visibility and transparency throughout the supply chain will be paramount. Automation can streamline processes, but technology cannot replace the knowledge and networks that experienced freight forwarders bring to relationships with customers.
CIFFA’s key pillars are advocacy, education, and membership — for 70 years we have been representing members’ interests in front of regulators at various levels of government. We educate and train freight forwarders in all aspects of transportation and trade. And we will continue on this path.