SAAA @ Singapore SAAA @ Singapore (formerly known as the Singapore Aircargo Agents Association) was formed on 21 April 1971 after Madam Mary Wu, managing director of Singapore Baggage Transport Agency Pte Ltd, recognised the need for an association to represent the interest of the Singapore cargo agents. It had six pioneering cargo agents who were all represented in the first board. The board members were Mary Wu (Chairman); Amir Kassim from Air Cargo International Pte Ltd (Deputy Chairman); Cheah Eng Lin from Sam Foo Transport (Travel Service) Company Pte Ltd (Honorary Treasurer); Gustav Patrick Sims from Singapore Baggage Transport Agency Pte Ltd (Honorary Secretary); Paul Armstrong from K.C. Dat (S) Pte Ltd; Siew Weng Joo from Singapore Baggage Transport Agency Pte Ltd; Jackie Chua from Hecny Transportation Pte Ltd; and Alan C.Y. Low from Central Air-Cargo Agency Pte Ltd. The timing could not be better. As many new international agents were setting up their offices in Singapore, it was a concern for local agents. At the same time, air cargo agents were encountering numerous problems, especially in the declaration of trade and customs documents. The Association helped agents to adjust and upgrade their services to meet these new challenges. The big move to Changi in 1981 was a historical moment for the air cargo industry. SAAA @ Singapore members rejoiced when the authorities declared Changi Airfreight Centre a Free Trade Zone. Many SAAA @ Singapore members who remembered the early years acknowledged that success came about only because of the co-operation and camaraderie of the members. In the 1980s, in tandem with the industry s needs, the SAAA @ Singapore set up SAAA Cargo Services Pte Ltd (SCS) as its commercial arm. Established in 1988, it provided services such as Tradenet documentation, electronic submission of Cargo Manifest Declaration via ACES, selling of Neutral Airway Bills and Bar Code Labels, and Certificate of Origin. At the same time, the SCS is also an IATA Accredited Training School, providing training to members as well as individuals who are interested in gaining knowledge of the air cargo industry. The SAAA @ Singapore supports and works together with the authorities in initiatives which enhance the competency of the air cargo industry. The SAAA assists in conducting seminars on various aspects of the industry as well as participate in the Aviation Open House to generate public awareness of the air cargo industry. The SAAA @ Singapore was formed with the aim of advocating the following objectives: To promote, protect and develop the business of carriage of goods by air transportation in general and the air cargo forwarding business in particular To advance and promote education and technical training in the air cargo forwarding industry and for such purposes to support training schemes To act as arbitrators and to assist in the settlement of disputes between members To act as a negotiating body for members of the Association or with the approval of the Association, for any person, body or company for the transaction of any business connected with air cargo and to make recommendations to government departments or agencies, the IATA or other bodies in relation to any measure which may be taken involving members and/or the air cargo industry in Singapore To set and regulate high standards and practices to be maintained by members To protect the interests of SAAA @ Singapore members 15
The SAAA @ Singapore is a member of: Federation of Asia-Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA) International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) ASEAN Federation of Forwarders Associations (AFFA) Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) The SAAA @ Singapore also liaises closely with the Singapore Logistics Association (SLA). Both the SAAA @ Singapore and SLA are joint representatives of AFFA. As an active player in the air cargo industry, the SAAA @ Singapore participates in industry-related committees with: Airport Police Department (APD) Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) Changi Airport Group (CAG) Singapore Customs (SC) Customs Advisory Committee (CAC) Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Land Transport Authority (LTA) International Air Transport Association (IATA) SATS Airport Services Pte Ltd (SATS) International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore) Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) SPRING Singapore Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) CAAS: Air Cargo & Logistics Industry Dialogue Session 2012 The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) organized the annual Air Cargo & Logistics Dialogue Session 2012 on 18 Sep 2012. More than 100 participants from the industry were present. The dialogue was beneficial for industry members as well as government agencies. Industry participants found the session informative while government agencies gained an insight on the industry's concerns. IDA briefed participants on e-freight@singapore, providing an update of the program tracks and the development of interoperable data standard. Singapore Customs presented the Advance Export Declaration (AED) focusing on the progress updates of preparation for AED s implementation on 1 April 2013. At the same time, Singapore Customs also shared the possible solutions that could assist the industry to comply with AED, including those for which funding may be available. Further elaboration on TradeFIRST was being done on the overall objectives of the framework during the dialogue session. CAAS updated the industry on the Declaring Agent Governance Framework, the Perishables Sector, the Aviation Development Fund and the findings of the Manpower Landscape Study for the Air Logistics Industry. 16
Productivity in Aviation Seminar: Process Innovation Challenge Project Showcase At the CAAS Process Innovation Challenge (PIC) on 7 August 2012, 8 winning project teams made their presentations to showcase in detail the productivity journey their companies undertook and the productivity improvements these teams had realized through their projects. Among the winners in the Information Technology Section was SAAA @ Singapore member CTI Logistics Pte Ltd. Futsal Tournament 2012 SAAA @ Singapore held its Futsal tournament at Planet East Coast on 30 September 2012. 27 teams participated in the tournament watched by family and friends. It was a nail biting final. With no results after the normal time played and penalty kicks, it was down to sudden death to determine the winner. Speedmark emerged as champions for the second year. Our congratulations to Speedmark for the fine finish. Chairman, Mr Steven Lee, Deputy Chairman, Mr Michael Yew, and Chairman for Social & Sports, Mr Elton Seah, were present to encourage the teams. 17
Fun Bowling 2012 On 02 December 2012, SAAA @ Singapore held a Fun Bowling event at Orchid Bowl@Tampines SARFA for members as well as non-members. A total of 24 teams participated in the bowling friendly. Mr Elton Seah, Chairman for Social/Sport Committee, started the ball rolling while Mr Michael Yew, Deputy Chairman, presented the prizes. We would like to congratulate the winners of the lucky draw and the following winners of the SAAA @ Singapore Fun Bowling 2012: Champion: OHL (S) Pte Ltd 1st Runner-Up: Quickflo Logsistics Pte Ltd Quickflo 2 2nd Runner-Up: Changi Airport Recreation Club CARC Singapore Customs Outreach Session SAAA @ Singapore together with Singapore Customs conducted an outreach session on 15 March 2013 at the CAC. It was attended by 70 participants. The participants were given an update on the Advance Export Declaration (AED), Changes to the Strategic Control List, GST for the Logistics Industry (IRAS), Secure Trade Partnerships/Mutual Recognition Agreements as well as an overview of TradeXchange. It was an informative session for the participants. Besides being brought up-to-date with the latest 18
Air Logistics Forum 2013 SAAA @ Singapore held its first Annual Air Logistics Forum on 6 June 2013 at the Sim Kee Boon Auditorium @ Singapore Aviation Academy. Addressing the forum were the Competition Commission of Singapore, Singapore Customs, Airport Police and Cargo Community Network on subjects ranging from the Competition Act and Customs 2015 Plus to Anti- Smuggling (Case Study) and Air Cargo. Some 70 participants attended. They raised questions ranging from the workings of Competition Act to air cargo security. changes they were able to clarify doubts during the question and answer sessions. Tokens of Appreciation were presented to the participating organizations. Mr Alec Koh (Council Member) hosted the forum and Mr Paul Teo (Council Member) presented the Tokens of Appreciation. SAAA @ Singapore has received members request for another session with Singapore Customs. Mr Alec Koh (Council Member) was the moderator for the question and answer session and Mr Michael Yew (Deputy Chairman) presented Certificates of Appreciation to the speakers from Singapore Customs, IRAS and IDA. 19
SAAA @ Singapore The Council CHAIRMAN Mr Steven Lee DHL Global Forwarding Management (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Mr Michael Yew Air Tiger Logistics (S) Pte Ltd HONORARY SECRETARY Mr Joseph Khoo Quickflo Logistics Pte Ltd HONORARY TREASURER Mr Patrick Tan Senator International Singapore Pte Ltd COUNCIL MEMBERS Mr Alec Koh Freightmen Pte Ltd Mr Daniel Chng Mr Elton Seah Mr Benjamin Ong Mr Paul Teo Mr Richard Chua Mr Richard Tan Hankyu Hanshin Express (S) Pte Ltd U. N. I. Express (S) Pte Ltd Alliance21 Pte Ltd Speedmark Air Transportation Pte Ltd Yamato Asia Pte Ltd Merstar International (S) Pte Ltd The Secretariat Executive Director Administrative Executive Grace Tan (Ms) Jessie Chiong (Ms) Office Address: SAAA @ Singapore, #06-02 Cargo Agents Building C, Changi Airfreight Centre 115 Airport Cargo Road, Singapore 819466 Mailing Address: PO Box 558, Airmail Transit Centre, Singapore 918102 Tel: (65) 6545 4620 / 6545 4721 Fax: (65) 6542 6820 Email: saaasin@saaa.org.sg Website: www.saaa.org.sg 21