The AGM for 2020-21, as well as the election of office bearers for the term 2021-2023, was recently held by FFFAI. Shankar Shinde, Chairman, FFFAI, emphasised the necessity and effectiveness of FFFAI in aiding the nation’s foreign trade, and shared the commitment towards customs brokers and their position in the global supply chain.
The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI), recently held its AGM for the term 2020-21 along with the elections of office bearers for the term 2021-2023. The presidents of the respective associations along with the nominees of the associations attended the AGM from across the country to discuss on various issues and future roadmap for the betterment of the fraternity. Shankar Shinde, the then Chairman-Elect for the year 2019-2021, has taken over as Chairman, FFFAI, for the ensuing two years’ tenure. He is also elected Managing Director on International Federation of Custom Brokers Association (IFCBA).
The other elected office bearers are Dushyant Mulani, Chairman-Elect, Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association; S. Nataraja, Vice Chairman, Chennai Custom House Agents’ Association; Amit Kamat, Vice Chairman, Goa Custom House Agents’ Association; Rajesh Verma, Vice Chairman, Ludhiana Custom House Agents’ Association; Sudip Dey, Vice Chairman, Calcutta Custom House Agents’ Association; Shashidhar V. Hebbar, Vice Chairman, Bangalore Custom House Agents’ Association Ltd.; Kartik Pancholi, Vice Chairman, Ahmedabad Custom Brokers Association; Vinod Sharma, Secretary, Pune Custom House Agents’ Association; and Sudhir Agarwal, Treasurer, Nagpur Custom House Agents’ Association.
The newly elected Chairman of FFFAI, Shinde, mentioned that it is a proud moment for FFFAI to complete its successful 59 years of services to trade and marching towards 60 years Diamond Jubilee celebration. He emphasised on the importance and effective role of FFFAI in facilitating the foreign trade of the nation. He unveiled his vision and commitments of FFFAI towards customs brokers and their role in international supply chain. According to Shinde, one of the priorities would be to empower the customs brokers by enhancing skill development, training, increasing their role in the logistic sector, diversification with forward and backward integration.
During the welcome speech the Chairman informed that FFFAI is great platform for members as the Federation is providing inputs to various ministries. Shinde also assured full cooperation to the government/policymakers in the interest of trade facilitation and ease of doing business to strengthen the country’s economy and achieving the government’s ambitious US$ 400 billion export target.
In his message to FFFAI, Ajit Kumar, Chairman, CBIC, acknowledged the Association’s role as an important stakeholder in partnering with CBIC for trade facilitation measures on providing inputs and policy implementation, according to the FFFAI Chairman. He further acknowledged the role of FFFAI and its members during COVID-19 to maintain seamless supply chain of essential commodities in the country.
Shinde further pointed out that customs brokers will always play an important role in international supply chain managements and would work with customs, and CBIC Board providing inputs and solution on policies, procedures, regulations for seamless movement of EXIM trade for achieving their benchmark in ease of doing business and logistics performance index (LPI).
