AFT Profile

The Association of Free Traders (AFT) is a neutral trading organisation operating throughout the Peripheries. The Association was established by a group of independent traders and small companies after the Peripheries were discovered by Imperial starfarers, as a pooling of assets to allow these smaller merchants to set up an operation in this new area of space and compete with the established mega-corporations.

The AFT was originally an Imperial chartered affiliation, engaging in a rivalry with Galactic Transport and Trade (GTT) for trade success. AFT forces fought alongside the other Imperial affiliations in the First Flagritz War, but gradually withdrew from further conflicts as the Association's members grew unwilling to throw resources into unprofitable military operations which did not overly threaten the AFT. Following growing trade links with other affiliations, such as those in the Confederacy, in 196 the AFT relinquished its Imperial charter. Since then, the Association has worked to remain out of conflicts wherever possible, and to be allowed to operate legally in all areas of space.

The Association of Free Traders continues to operate as an organisation of neutral, peaceful traders. The basic tenets of the affiliation are: Independence, both of the affiliation, and also of the individual members within the affiliation; Trust, in keeping the trust of our many clients and also the governments of the many areas of space in which we operate; and Neutrality, in maintaining our security and status by remaining out of conflicts between other affiliations. The aim of the AFT is to promote trade, and to gain economic power through successful and extensive trading. In the shorter term, we work to help our members to earn as much profit as they are able.

The Association of Free Traders is run by the AFT Council. Every member of the Association is entitled to take a seat on this council, and it is the Council who will decide on all matters relating to the Association as a whole. To aid the smooth running of the AFT, certain Council members are given executive roles. These executive members devote time beyond Council meetings to working on behalf of the Association, on issues such as inter-affiliation agreements, research co-ordination and defence, rather than just working for themselves. All members are entitled to an executive position if they desire one, and are invited to apply to take over any post in which they feel that they could do a better job than the current incumbent.

Further information on the AFT can be found on the rest of this site. If you have any queries, or wish further information, please contact your local AFT member (or any member through the Nexus forums).