Mr. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry addressing at the Diamond Jubilee celebration event of the Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) which was held on June 9, 2023 in New Delhi with the theme ”FFFAI Transcending Boundaries”, stated that both collective and individual initiatives can make huge changes in the state of affairs of the exim trade eco system to achieve India’s target of becoming developed country in the Amrit Kaal i.e by 2047. According to him, Customs Brokers/Freight Forwarders have a crucial role to play in this regard, helping the government by recommending steps to be taken for a transparent business atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Government has taken many steps to do away with physical interfaces that increase transaction time. In this regard he highlighted the recent initiative of DGFT office, which started a one-hour online grievance addressing mechanism every day, from Monday to Friday.
Mr. Goyal emphasised on young entrepreneurs to envisage a new India with innovative ideas based on contemporary technology and digitisation. He pointed out that the fundamentals of India’s economy are very strong which resulted in sustainable and phenomenal growth of the country’s manufacturing and exports for the last couple of years. “The world is looking towards the success story of India and this century is going to be India’s century,” he said.
At this event the Minister of Commerce & Industry unveiled FFFAI Diamond Jubilee Souvenir, Coffee Table Book and eBL (e-Bill of Lading) to benefit the exim trade. He also felicitated Lt. Gen Sanjay Kulkarni for his outstanding contribution in strengthening the National Security, presented posthumous award to Let Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra being an outstanding Govt. Officer who worked for the nation during difficult times like COVID-19 pandemic till his last breath, from the ICU when he was suffering from COVID and conferred Mr. George Abrao with Hall of Fame Award for his phenomenal works for the development of logistics industry. Mr. Goyal highly appreciated FFFAL leadership for felicitating the legendary figures for their immense contribution towards the Nation as well as its economy.
During the event FFFAI also felicitated the Founders, Board of Advisors & Trade Associations recognizing their contribution since 1962 towards the success story of FFFAI.
The mega event on completion of the glorious 60 years’ journey of the Federation in serving the EXIM trade, thereby strengthening the economy of the country, was also keynote addressed by Mr. Vivek Johri, Chairman Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Present on the occasion were Mrs V. Rama Mathew, Member, CBIC; Mr. S.K. Rehman, Pr. Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Delhi Zone; FFFAI Chairman Mr. Shankar Shinde; Chairman Elect, Mr. Dushyant Mulani; Immediate Past Chairman Mr. A.V. Vijayakumar; Golden Jubilee event Convenor Mr. Amit Kamat; other Office Bearers; Executive Committee Members consisting of 30 Member Associations and guest participants from logistics industry stakeholders including Customs Brokers/Freight Forwarders from across the country.
In his Keynote address Mr. Vivek Johri, said, “The relation between FFFAI and Customs is very strong which is evident from the fact that both FFFAI and Customs Act are celebrating their completion of 60 years’ journey in facilitating the exim trade.” He pointed out that during this long journey the international trade facilitation mechanism has evolved to a new dynamism thanks to the trade-friendly initiatives of the Government/Customs partnering with FFFAI and logistics stakeholders. Mr. Johri made special mention of the initiatives for fast & faceless cargo clearance and grievances redressal mechanisms like SWIFT, DPD, Turant Customs, E-Sanchit, CBLMS, ECL, etc. The CBIC Chairman stated that now Customs aim is to go for “One Customs” i.e cargo clearance in one hour’s time at all customs locations in the country. He underscored the core function of CBIC and Customs Brokers/Freight Forwarders of serving the exim trade as per their expectations adhering to Ease of Doing Business mission. According to the CBIC Chairman, Customs Brokers are the ambassador of Customs and hence they require enhancing their knowledge base on changing Customs Rules & Regulations, services etc, and that needs to be percolated down to the field workers. “There is a long way to go to achieve the target of trade facilitation in all aspects and the partnership between Customs and FFFAI would play a crucial role in this regard,” he emphasised. Congratulating FFFAI on this auspicious occasion he appealed to the industry stakeholders to work together to rich the India story to a new high.
Also present on this occasion were the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) President – Mr. Ivan Petrov; International Federation of Customs Brokers Association (IFCBA) Managing Director & President-Japan Customs Brokers Association Mr Seisaku Okafuji; DP World COO Mr Mike Bhaskaran and National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) president Ms. Nadia Abdul Aziz to address in panel discussions and interact with the logistics industry fraternity in India.
FFFAI is the National Apex Body of the Customs Brokers in India, was established in 1962 with an objective to organise united action to promote exim trade interests with professionalism in all its aspects of Customs Brokers and Logistics Service Providers at the national and international level.
Mr. Shankar Shinde, Chairman – FFFAI earlier in his opening address and welcoming the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry; Chairman CBIC, other dignitaries, guests and FFFAI members emphasised on the effective relationship with the Government and was appreciated CBIC support with regular interactions on trade facilitations and policy matter for quick and hassle-free cargo clearance across the country. He also pointed out FFFAI’s active role in the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) formed by the government and International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) & TIR convention recommendation and project executed in partnering initiatives with the government to promote India’s international trade. “The 60 years’ journey of FFFAI demonstrates the rich history of FFFAI. The Diamond Jubilee event of FFFAI gives an opportunity to honour the past performance and envision the prospects for fraternity growth contributing to the Nation’s growth. On this occasion FFFAI is Honouring the past, Celebrating the Present and Welcoming the Future,” Mr. Shinde emphasised.
The FFFAI Chairman stated that the Federation will continue with its endeavours to empower Customs Brokers and logistics service providers providing international platforms of FIATA and IFCBA for networking. He also highlighted that with continual training programmes through FFFAI’s Training institute Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders (IIFF) the logistics fraternity is being benefited in terms of enhancement of operational skill.
On the Occasion FFFAI also signed MoUs with JAPAN Customs Brokers Association & Service Export Promotion Council (SEPC) to exchange information and impart training to the CBs and their staff.
Mr Shinde conveyed gratitude to all the members, stakeholders & Government Agencies in partnering with FFFAI to achieve this milestone of 60 years’ successful journey, celebrating Diamond Jubilee in the capital city, New Delhi.
He also acknowledged the vision of FFFAI’s Founder Members, the important role played by Founders, Advisors & past Chairmen, Office Bearers, Executive Committee Members and thirty Member Associations in achieving this height for FFFAI’s success and hoped to have their dream fulfilled.
In his address Mr. Amit Kamat welcomed all dignitaries, guests and 30 FFFAI Member Associations and expressed his gratitude to make this event a grand success. He also pointed out the growing importance of the Customs Brokers/Freight Forwarders in building the national economy and employment generation.
Mr. Dushyant Milani concluded the Diamond jubilee ceremony by proposing a vote of thanks. He appealed to the industry stakeholders to achieve the target set by the Government to make India a developed country by 2047 and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ through exponential growth as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
