InTrade Summit BCN – The great world summit of international trade

From 25 to 28 June, the logistics, customs and international trade sectors of Latin America, Europe and the Mediterranean met in Barcelona to celebrate the InTrade Summit BCN. The celebration of the InTrade Summit BCN was a great opportunity to start a debate on the present and future of logistics and international trade, which transcended to involve the whole of society while also generating global networking: key world leaders in the sector and the world’s largest logistics operators and freight forwarders were in contact thanks to this event.

The InTrade Summit BCN, organised by the Barcelona Zona Franca [Free Zone], included the ALACAT Congress (the largest congress of cargo agents and logistics operators in Latin America), the International Association of Authorised Economic Operators (AEO), the MedaLogistics Summit and the AZFA Conference (The Free Trade Zones Association of the Americas). In fact, over these days, Barcelona was the capital of world trade.

ALACAT CONGRESS, A LINK BETWEEN LATIN AMERICA AND EUROPE

The XXXVI ALACAT Congress, the largest congress of cargo agents and logistics operators in Latin America, focused on logistics 4.0 and discussed aspects such as digitalisation and the role of startups, as well as upcoming technological trends that we must rely on.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF OWEAs: MORE TIMBER FOR TRADE

The III edition of the International Congress of Authorised Economic Operators: (AEO) was another of the cornerstones of the InTrade Summit BCN. We enjoyed the attendance of more than 300 professionals from the customs and international trade sector. The interest of this edition was focused on the importance of transport security, while special attention was paid to key aspects of security in trade processes and deliveries. It is an issue that involves all participants in the logistics chain and all its links: from importers and exporters to customs agents, shipping companies, carriers, freight forwarders, consignees, terminal operators and intervening institutions.

MEDALOGISTICS SUMMIT, THE MEDITERRANEAN SUMMIT

Mediterranean logistics and transport also had their space for debate at the InTrade Summit BCN with the celebration of the MedaLogistics Summit, which hosted the 17th Logistics & Transport MedaForum and the 12th Mediterranean Ports Summit.

This summit demonstrated that, in order to recover and boost their economies, improving logistics should be a priority for Mediterranean countries. It also highlighted how the world transport map is changing, with new stakeholders and new regions that are evolving as international distribution centres.

The MedaLogistics Summit was the meeting point for the sector in the Mediterranean and focused on integration and building a unified Mediterranean economic and financial strategy that promotes investments, construction, modernisation and infrastructure management for us to grow and compete with other regions.

A HISTORICAL MEETING OF THE FREE ZONES OF IBERO-AMERICA

On 25 June, the headquarters of the Free Zone hosted the XXIII edition of the AZFA Meeting + Assembly (The Free Trade Zones Association of the Americas), an organisation that represents 24 countries, 600 free zones, 10,000 companies and one million direct jobs. As a result, the 24 countries of this association also participated in this historic event. Ibero-America is the region in which the free zones have represented the greatest boost to the economic development of their respective countries, which meant their presence in Barcelona was essential to achieve the objectives that have been set.

THE BARCELONA DECLARATION

The Great World Summit of International Trade and Supply Chain closed with the “Declaración de Barcelona”, a primary commitment in favour of international economic development and cooperation.

The “Barcelona Declaration” bears the signatures of Pere Navarro, Special State Delegate of the Free Zone; Galo Molina, President of the International Association of Authorised Economic Operators; Antonio Llobet, General Coordinator of ASCAME; Anwar Zibaoui, President of The Free Trade Zones Association of the Americas (AZFA); Gustavo González; and Mohammed Alzarooni, President of the World Free Zones Organisation.

The document contains 10 manifestos:

1.- Two thousand years ago, Chaldeans, Phoenicians and Carthaginians created the first concept of a free port with the aim of facilitating trade. Today, just as in the past, from Barcelona, the great capital of the Mediterranean, we urge everyone to consolidate the natural advantages of Mare Nostrum in order to create a great global logistics platform. The Mediterranean, a sea of three continents, is decisive in the flow between East and West and, in this scenario of changes, Barcelona has a great deal to offer.

2.- Globalisation should be more inclusive and sustainable while also creating more jobs. The fourth industrial revolution is shaping the contours of a new era, in which digital technology shapes the future. This new revolution brings with it new opportunities and has become a reality for millions of people. However, it also threatens with new divergences and polarisation between economies and societies. New responses are needed.

3.- Trade and investment are engines for growth, innovation and employment. A prosperous global economy favours multilateralism, but in order to foster cooperation and competition and avoid trade wars, it is necessary to create mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of disputes. Since 1990, world trade has quadrupled and the world GDP has doubled. As a result, the number of people living in extreme poverty has been reduced to 10%. North-North and North-South exchanges are equal. Internationalisation leads to globalisation, but also to regionalisation that benefits from the advantage of geographical proximity and complementarity.

4.- International cooperation is also based on the capacity of the private sector to increase investment flow and of goods produced and marketed, as employment levels will depend on the willingness of companies to invest.

5.- The world transport map is changing, with new stakeholders and powers emerging. Unlocking the economic potential of Latin America is paramount, and to achieve this we must focus on integration and creating unified strategies to boost investments and the infrastructures that are essential to growth and competitiveness.

6.- Transport and logistics promote cooperation and economic development. Logistics makes all of this possible. It is the lifeblood of the economy, a $4.3 trillion industry, a clear indicator of economic competitiveness that contributes to solving the problems of immigration, radicalisation and poverty, and also fosters investment and employment.

7.- Maritime transport constitutes a fundamental pillar of world economy. More than 80% of goods and approximately 50% of oil circulate through it. It is of vital strategic importance in global geopolitics.

8.- The free zones play an important role in stimulating the growth of many regions and are fundamental for the global economy, as they attract important economic benefits for both the host countries and the hosted companies. Their correct governance and continuing extension of attractive advantages will lead to success.

9.- Our commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda is absolute. Sustainability is both a necessity and an opportunity. It necessitates a change in the production model towards resource efficiency, with a particular focus on energy.

10.- The best trade is the correct trade. Trade is not a weapon, but a true instrument of peace and prosperity, which should enable inclusive growth. More economic integration, emergency plans and realistic solutions are needed to solve endemic problems. The future depends not on raising new walls but building bridges and creating points of contact. It is essential to imagine new channels, adding capabilities and establishing synergies in order to build a joint future.