NACFS & CFSAI’s joint mega logistics trade event in New Delhi deliberates on key issues
A galaxy of maritime & logistics professionals and industry stakeholders, namely, Importers-Exporters, Freight Brokers, ICD & CFS Operators, Shipping Lines, Multimodal Operators and others from across India gathered at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on November 8, 2024 to participate in the NACFS-CFSAI jointly hosted Trade Meet with the theme “Logistics Efficiency Enhancement – Way forward Amrit Kaal 2047”. The event’s highlight was the presence of several senior CBIC and Commerce Ministry officials who addressed the august gathering and shared the vision of the Hon’ble PM on infra development focusing on logistics efficiency. They also assured the stakeholders of trade facilitation to reduce transaction time and cost, thus making India’s EXIM trade more competent globally and pave the way to Amrit Kaal 2047.
This mega trade event was conceptualised by NACFS and CFSAI jointly who share a strong bond in letter and spirit, having inked a joint cooperation agreement a few years back. Both apex associations have been working closely on common trade issues with other stakeholders and policymakers, namely, CBIC, Commerce, Shipping & other concerned Ministries. Their joint submissions on genuine issues have also been truly appreciated by CBIC and other Ministries and they have favourably considered certain policy reforms after several rounds of consultative meets. Redressal of such issues indeed paves the way to enhancing logistics efficiency, and the industry has welcomed such trade facilitation and progressive initiatives of CBIC, emphasised a communiqueIn his welcome address, Mr Pramod Srivastava, President of NACFS, on behalf of NACFS and CFSAI extended a warm welcome to Mr Anupam Prakash, IRS, JS Customs, CBIC and all the other senior Ministry officials, Mr Ananth Rathakrishnan, IRS, Director Customs, Mr Sagar Kadu, Director Logistics, and Mr Atul Singh, IRS, ADC (Policy), CBIC. He also welcomed all the esteemed delegates from the trade and thanked them for their overwhelming support by joining in such large numbers.
Key issues discussed
Mr Umesh Grover, Secretary General, CFSAI made a crisp presentation on CFS/ICD - Adding value in Supply Chain, highlighting the role of CFSs/ ICDs as custodians in the EXIM containerised trade as well as the value addition provided by them under “Ease of doing Business” .
Mr Girish Kumar Surpur, CEO of NLDS, spoke about the Logistics Data service provided to the EXIM containerised trade by them through a JV of the Government of India’s National Infra Corridor Development and Japanese firm NEC, with the objective to facilitate EXIM container visibility across India with comparative performance metrics for all logistics operators pan-India.
Mr Ravi Kumar Yamarathy, CEO of Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC), of which NACFS is an active member, made a sensational presentation on outstanding an unprecedented path-breaking achievements in skilling, upskilling training and arranging apprenticeship for several thousand logistics personnel, and creating a skilled pool of logistics professionals. With world class training by LSC, several thousand drivers have gained employment not only in India but in the EU as well.
Mr Sagar Kadu, Director Logistics, with his very crisp and excellent presentation and a short film on “GatiShakti”, highlighted that the National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity through a digital platform has enabled 16 Ministries including Railways, Roadways to come together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infra connectivity projects.
Mr Ananth Rathakishnan, Director, Customs, gave an in-depth overview of the unprecedented path-breaking initiatives of CBIC in “Trade Facilitation by Customs”. Digitisation of all processes leading to huge reduction in time and transaction cost and improving India’s ranking in Trading across Borders was a testament to the trade-facilitative measures of CBIC, it was pointed out.
CBIC’s initiatives
Mr Anupam Prakash, JS Customs, in his address as Chief Guest, shared the vision of the Hon’ble PM and CBIC’s unprecedented initiatives, through extensive digitalisation, identifying trade barriers and addressing them through policy reforms. He also emphasised about the trade facilitation measures adopted in the last few years by CBIC through policy reforms, extensive digitisation of processes, bringing in more transparency and facilitating stakeholders by creating the “single window” concept. India’s contribution to WTO and WCO has been well recognised and accepted by nations across the world. He appealed to all the stakeholders to do their best and assist CBIC in further reducing time and cost at their end to improve India’s world ranking further and boost exports.
He also sensitised all stakeholders on the importance of role of women, the gender equality propelled by CBIC and WCO, and appealed to CFS/ICD owners to engage and increase womanpower in their facilities.
Mr Pramod Srivastava, President, NACFS and Mr Percy Vapiwala, VP, CFSAI, felicitated the Chief Guest, speakers, Association and media personnel present. Senior representatives of FFFAI, FIEO, AMTOI, CSLA, ACTO, NISAA, ACAAI and DCBA attended the trade meet.
A handbook prepared by NACFS and CFSAI, of all HCCAR 2009 Circulars & Notifications since 2009 titled “Referencer for CFSs/ICDs/AFSs Operators”, was formally released on the occasion.
Mr Percy Vapiwala, in his vote of thanks, complimented all involved in making the event a grand success, especially Mr R. R. Joshi, the dynamic and charismatic past president NACFS.
The event concluded with networking cocktails and dinner accompanied by a live musical session.
Source: Exim News Service: New Delhi, Nov. 12