Shaping the future of supply chains in the Gulf region

How is NAFL, as the Arabian Gulf’s pioneering national freight forwarders association with over 460 corporate members, shaping the future of supply chains in the Gulf region and worldwide? And how do you see your role to bring in data harmonisation and digitalisation?

NAFL being one of the most active associations in the region is mainly focusing on being the honest transparent voice of the freight and logistics industry. We look into genuine industry challenges and work closely on updating and coordinating with various stake holders on that. We also collectively work on any opportunities in the region and try to capitalise on that.

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Close work with the UAE government offices, semi-government as well as the private sector. We also come up with personalised training solutions for our members to ensure their staff achieve their full potential in growth and enhance the standards in the industry.

We also collaborate with regional stakeholders and associations to ensure bilateral work between our NAFL freight members and other reputed forwarders under other associations. In terms of harmonisation, we work closely with the customs to ensure such issues are addressed and the forwarders’ have compliance with such areas to avoid any shipment issues and wrong codes being used for their shipments.

Also, updating and training on such initiatives are available and in coordination with customs. Digitalisation is a great initiative by our federal government, and all logistics related government entities. NAFL works closely with reputed organisations and present them to our members to further streamline their work practices and be more efficient and give their clients an excellent experience while doing business.

How do you see the role of women evolving in freight forwarding and logistics, and what advice would you offer to women considering a career in this industry?

The role of women in freight forwarding and logistics is evolving from being underrepresented to becoming a driving force for innovation, leadership, and inclusivity. We are seeing more women stepping into senior management, operations, and technology-driven roles that were traditionally male-dominated. As the industry transforms with digitalization, sustainability, and multimodal integration, women bring unique perspectives, adaptability, and problem-solving skills that are vital to shaping the future of logistics. Our leadership has also supported women in the workforce and provide excellent platforms for women.

Some examples are the women business councils by city and, we have a federal one open for all nationalities and working women in the UAE. Dubai women establishment, heading by HH daughter Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum. A fully fledged office working on reducing gender gap and empower women in many areas. They also provide trainings, networking events and have implemented many rules and policies to support women in the workforce.

As the UAE and in our GCC region, there is a huge shift to empower women and focus on capacity building and inclusion in the workforce and on boards, so long as the women are professional and suit such positions and responsibilities. We really are blessed and i have witnessed the big shift during my lifetime and I feel so happy to see such changes, starting from our leaders to all government offices, private and some. Education has been enhanced, and this has also helped speed up this process and supported the positive change. Ad our literacy rate is so high now in the UAE.

As global trade continues to evolve, how can sustainable logistics reshape the freight forwarding industry, and what innovative roles can ports and airports play in promoting greener supply chain practices?

Sustainable logistics is no longer an option. It is becoming a business imperative. By embracing decarbonisation, digitalisation, and circular supply chain models, the freight forwarding industry can reduce its environmental footprint while improving operational efficiency. We also as a country have committed to many projects to reduce emissions. Also, carbon reporting has become a legal compliance that we need to adhere to since the end of August 2025. Honestly, forwarders who integrate green practices, such as optimized routing, alternative fuels, and carbon visibility tools will be better positioned to meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Ports and airports, as critical nodes in global trade, can accelerate this transformation by providing infrastructure for green fuels (LNG, hydrogen, SAF), offering incentives for low-emission carriers, and deploying smart technologies to reduce congestion and energy use. Their role as enablers of greener trade corridors will be central to reshaping supply chains. Most forwarders here are working to reduce emissions, and the government has been even faster than the private sector.

The Sea–Air corridor between ports and airports could be a real game-changer, especially in the UAE where nearly 25–30% of cargo already moves across these modes. In your view, what should be the first step toward making this a reality, and how can the forwarding community benefit from it?

The first step should be building a harmonised regulatory and digital framework that seamlessly connects seaports, airports, and inland logistics zones. This means aligned customs procedures, interoperable IT systems, and transparent service standards and most important documentation and scanning should be optimised and not duplicated. Once established, the forwarding community will benefit from faster transit times, cost optimization, and greater flexibility in multimodal solutions.

The Sea–Air corridor also enhances resilience—providing alternatives during disruptions while positioning the UAE as a global logistics hub of choice. For forwarders, this translates into more competitive service offerings and stronger value propositions for global shippers. This can also bring in higher volumes of cargo for the freight forwarders in the UAE if strategically and efficiently built. Less of unforeseen new costs, less of duplication, screening and using a holistic approach to business will help this flourish.

Having just come out of VANTAGE POINT, what’s one key takeaway you’d like to implement in your organisation? How do you see this event shaping the voice of the industry?

The key takeaway is the importance of collaboration over competition in driving the industry forward. Whether in sustainability, digital transformation, or regulatory alignment, no single player can succeed in isolation. Within NAFL, I would like to implement structured partnerships with technology providers such as Kale Logistics, regulators, and training institutions to prepare our members for future challenges.

Events like VANTAGE POINT can amplify the collective voice of the logistics industry by shaping common agendas, highlighting shared opportunities, and ensuring policymakers and global partners recognise logistics not only as a service sector but as a strategic enabler of economic growth.

It also capitalises on covering many countries and using the best experts from all regions. This can ensure we can come up with best efficient practices for the industry, being, air, sea, land, rails or a combination. Indeed, all such experts are amazing and a valuable pool of knowledge that can benefit the industry in many ways, especially how to be more efficient and streamline the work. I am very thankful and honoured to be part of this event.