Second annual Sino-International Freight Forwarders Conference draws 800+ cargo transportation executives;

3rd conference is set for in Shenzhen June 2006

837 cargo transportation industry professionals from more than 100 countries gathered at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dalian, China from June 8 to the 11 to meet potential partners and discuss current trade possibilities in the world's fastest growth market. The 2nd Annual Sino-International Freight Forwarders Conference was co-sponsored by CIFA (China International Freight Forwarders Association) and CGLN (China Global Logistics Network), which is a division of WCA Family of Logistic Networks, and featured speakers from the China Ministry of Communications, CIFA, WCA Family, and the vice-mayor of the city of Dalian.

The conference took place over a four-day period and primarily functioned as a platform at which independent and regional forwarders identified qualified agents to build personal and professional relationships leading to potential working partnerships for the future. The agenda also featured presentations on how to do business in China with suggestions on identifying the best partners. Chinese forwarders were provided with information on how to work with international partners on business development and learned about economical software solutions and electronic data-exchange platforms along with education on cargo insurance.

Planned events such as welcome cocktail parties, dinner and awards gala, golf tournaments, and city sightseeing tours furnished ample opportunities for socializing among conference delegates enabling the development of personal bonds so important in building long-lasting and trusting business relations.

"With increasingly fierce competition, more and more forwarders have begun to recognize that they need network support to realize their international strategies," explained Mr. Luo Kaifu, president of CIFA. "Presently the main problem faced by Chinese forwarding companies is the lack of domestic or overseas partners. More than 80% of these companies are small or medium-sized, whose network support is very limited within the country, let alone overseas." Mr. Kaifu, who delivered the conference's keynote address, went on to explain that CIFA and CGLN have established long-term cooperation which aims to help these companies find quality agents and build partnership networks while creating good opportunities for foreign forwarders to better understand the Chinese market and seek agents there.