The International Air Cargo Association has expanded its reach in Latin America by signing a partnership agreement with AMACARGA, the Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders.

According to TIACA, as part of the partnership, the two organizations will cooperate on their signature events including TIACA’s Air Cargo Forums 2018 and 2020, as well as explore joint training and networking initiatives.

“Mexico is a very important country which has seen rapid economic growth in recent years, and we are keen to forge closer links with the region to help promote and represent its expanding air cargo community,” said Vladimir Zubkov, secretary general of TIACA. “We believe closer collaboration will help exporters and importers in the region find new markets and will encourage the development of new air freight links both within Latin America and between the rest of the world.”

AMACARGA was established more than 30 years ago and now has almost 300 members throughout Mexico. It will be sending a delegation to the 2018 ACF this October in Toronto to promote trade links and the air freight industry in Mexico. It is also looking to have a key presence at the 2020 event, which will be held in Miami.

“Our exciting partnership with TIACA demonstrates the commitment of Mexico’s cargo community to engage with the rest of the world, and to nurture the growth and demand of the logistics industry in our country and beyond,” said Gaby Altuzar, president of AMACARGA. “Technological advances and new developments such as logistics 4.0 have encouraged AMACARGA to seek out strategic alliances, to find new ways of improving our industry as well as training the next generation, to help us meet the challenges that these emerging trends set – which is why we established our partnership with TIACA.”

TIACA already partners with other Latin American organizations such as Argentina-based Americas Alliance, Bogota-headquartered Federation of National Associations of Cargo Agents and International Logistical Operators of Latin America and the Caribbean, and Chile-based logistics provider AGUNSA, all of whom are participating in the ACF 2018.

AGUNSA has also been appointed as TIACA’s sales agent for Latin America to encourage companies in the region to attend and exhibit at TIACA’s events and to grow membership.

Mexican air freight traffic is growing faster than average at 9.5% from January to May 2018, compared with a global average of 5.3%, according to TIACA.