Milan:The logistics industry is encountering a critical period due to geopolitical shifts and disruptions in trade routes, according to HE Eng. Ali bin Abdullatif Al Misnad. He is the Chairman of the Middle East and Africa Region at the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and a Board Member of Qatar Chamber.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Misnad addressed these issues during the FIATA RAME Meeting in Milan, Italy, which occurred alongside the FIATA World Congress 2026. He emphasized the significance of the meeting coinciding with FIATA's centenary celebrations, highlighting the resilience of the freight forwarding and logistics sector as rooted in cooperation, innovation, preparedness, and trust.
Al Misnad, who also serves as President of the Qatar Association for Freight Forwarding and Logistics, discussed the challenges posed by recent regional tensions. These tensions have caused substantial disruptions to maritime traffic through key transport routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, impacting shipping operations, freight rates, trade flows, and the movement of essential goods.
He stressed the necessity for agile logistics networks and pointed out Qatar's strategic investments in infrastructure, connectivity, and digital transformation, which have bolstered its logistics resilience and trade continuity. Further, he emphasized the importance of deepening regional connectivity, accelerating digital customs, developing human capital, and expanding collaboration across the industry to create an efficient logistics ecosystem in the Middle East and Africa.
Al Misnad also mentioned the upcoming FIATA RAME Meeting and Logistics Exhibition in Doha, which Qatar Chamber will host through QAFL. Initially scheduled for November 2026, the event has been postponed to the first quarter of 2027 due to regional circumstances. He extended an invitation to FIATA representatives and regional stakeholders to attend the Doha meeting to continue the dialogue started in Milan, aiming to strengthen regional cooperation and advance the logistics sector.