A galaxy of Maritime & Logistics Professionals  and Industry stakeholders namely Importers- Exporters, Freight Brokers, ICD & CFS Operators, Shipping Lines, multi-modal operators and other from across India gathered  at “India Habitat Centre” in New Delhi on 8^th November to participate in the NACFS-CFSAI jointly hosted Trade Meet with a theme “Logistics Efficiency Enhancement – Way forward   Amrit Kaal 2047”.  The event’s highlight was the presence of several senior CBIC & Commerce Mistry’s officials who addressed the august gathering  and shared the vision  of 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 forward to  Amrit Kaal 2047.

This mega trade event was conceptualised by NACFS & CFSAI jointly who share a strong bond in letter and spirit having inked a joint cooperation agreement few years back. Both Apex associations have been working closely on common trade issues    with  other stakeholders and policy makers namely CBIC , Commerce, Shipping  & other concerned  Ministries. Their joint submissions on genuine issues have also been truly appreciated by CBIC & other Ministries and they have favourably considered certain policy reforms after  several rounds of consultative meets. Redressal of such issues indeed paves a way forward to enhancing Logistics efficiency and the industry has welcomed such trade facilitation and progressive initiatives of CBIC.

In his welcome  address, Pramod  Srivastava  on behalf of NACFS &  CFSAI  extended a warm welcome to  Shri Anupam Prakash, IRS,  JS Customs, CBIC and all the other  senior Ministry officials,  Mr. Ananth Rathakrishnan, IRS Director Customs, Shri Sagar Kadu, Director Logistics and Shri  Atul Singh  IRS ADC (Policy) CBIC. He also welcomed all the esteemed delegate from the  trade  for their overwhelming support and joining in such a large numbers for the trade meet event  with theme “Logistics Efficiency Enhancement – Way forward   Amrit Kaal 2047”  

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 EXIM containerized  trade as well as the value addition provided  by them  under “Ease of doing Business”. 

Mr Girish Kumar Surpur, CEO NLDS  spoke about the Logistics Data service provided to the EXIM containerized trade by them thru a JV   of Government of India’s  National Infra Corridor Development  & Japanese IT NEC, with  an  objective to provide EXIM container visibility service across India with comparative performance metrics for  all Logistics Operators pan-India. 

Mr Ravi Kumar Yamarathy, the dynamic CEO of Logistics  Sector Skill Council (LSC) of which NACFS is an active Member made a sensational presentation on outstanding an unprecedented path breaking  achievement’s 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 EU as  well.

 Mr. Sagar Kadu, Director Logistics with his  very crisp and excellent presentation and a short film on “Gati Shakti” - National Master Plan for Multi-modal connectivity through a Digital platform has enabled 16 Ministries  including Railways , Roadways  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 initiates of CBIC in  “Trade Facilitation by Customs”. Digitization of all Processes leading to huge reduction of Time and transaction cost and  improving India’s ranking in  Trading across Borders was a testimony of the  Trade facilitative measures of CBIC. 

Shri Anupam Prakash, JS Customs,  in his address  as Chief Guest  shared the vision of Hon’ble PM and CBIC’s unprecedented initiates,  through  extensive digitalisation,  identifying  trade barriers  and addressing them  through policy reforms. He also  emphasised about the trade facilitation measures adopted in last few years  by CBIC  thru’ policy reforms, extensive digitization of processes bringing in more transparency and facilitating stakeholders by creating  “single window” concept.  India’s contribution to WTO & WCO has been well recognized 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 India’s exports.

He also sensitized all stakeholders on the importance of Role of Women towards Gender equality propelled by CBIC & WCO and appealed to CFS/ICD owners to engage and increase woman power in their facilities.

Pramod Srivastava, President NACFS & Percy Vapiwala VP CFSAI  felicitated  Hon’ble  Chief  Guest, speakers, Association and  media personnel present.  Senior representatives of  FFFAI,  FIEO, AMTOI, CSLA, ACTO,  NISSA, ACAAI, DCBA  attended the trade meet 

NACFS & CFSAI created a handbook of all HCCAR 2009 Circulars & Notifications since 2009  and  same titled as “Referencer for CFSs/ICDs/AFSs Operators”  was formally released 

Percy Vapiwala  delivered a  “Vote of Thanks”   complimented all who were involved in making this  event a grand success, especially Mr. R.R.Joshi, a dynamic and charismatic  past president NACFS.

The evening was followed by networking cocktails and dinner accompanied by Live musical session.