Women take centre stage at FFFAI Convention 2017
The 23rd Biennial Convention of FFFAI 2017 held between January 19 and 21, 2017 at Crowne Plaza Kochi witnessed freight forwarders, custom house agents and shipping companies coming together under one roof to discuss the future of logistics services, implications of GST, gender parity in logisitics and many more topics relevant to the industry.
Rashmi Pradhan
Set against the backdrop of God’s Own Country, the 23rd Biennial Convention of Federation of Freight Forwarders' Associations in India (FFFAI) deliberated on future of logistics services and customs clearance in India, impact of GST, role of technology and innovation, essentials of coastal transportation and options for customs brokers. Themed as “Indian Customs Broker – Trusted Single Entry Logistician – Capable and Dynamic”, the convention was attended by around 340 delegates from 25 Indian cities and seven international cities. The Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan was also present during the valedictory function.
Speaking on the future of customs clearance in India, Rajendra Kumar Meena, Joint Commissioner, Single Window Project, Central Board of Excise & Customs, Ministry of Finance, spoke about Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) and how the new initiative by the government would reduce interface with governmental agencies, dwell time and the cost of doing business. Talking about the way forward, Meena said that SWIFT is a natural step for helping achieve the objectives of digital India initiative.
According to Samir Shah, Chairman, FFFAI, “The Confederation of Indian Logistics Associations (CILA) is in the formation stage. Nine national level associations including ACAAI, INSA, FFFAI, have come together to form CILA. The main objectives of the body will be capacity building, training and popularising the segment and policy contribution.”
Unlike other service sectors, the transport and logistics sector has failed to lure women workforce. Witnessing the lack of participation of women in the logistics and transport sector and the need to motivate and encourage, for the first time FFFAI Convention had organised a business session on ‘Gender equilisation in logistics sector’, which saw a full house. The session was chaired by Dr Malini Shankar, Director General of Shipping, Government of India. The women leaders in the panel were Monal Srivastava, Regional Head, Human Capital & Administration, DP World; Audrey Dolhen, MD, CMA CGM India; Sharmila Amin, Director, Bertling Logistics; Sanjam Gupta, Director, Sitara Shipping; Saloni Agarwal, Director, Nagarkot Forwarders; Philu Pereira, Managing Director, PV Agencies Freight Forwarders and Sumiit Cheema Sharma, Head Strategy & Product Development, Logistics Kart. Sharing their experiences, the women in the panel talked about their way up to the ladder and challenges faced while working in the male-dominated logistics and transport sector.
The government is increasing the focus on shipping but it is also important that woman should be given equal opportunity to make a career in this sector. Career counselling regarding the transport, logistics and shipping sector is important to encourage woman to join this sector.
The panel echoed that women don’t want reservation, no privilege but equal opportunities. Support from family is very crucial to shape a woman’s career. Highlighting the crucial aspect, Sharma said, “There is a lack of awareness on career opportunities available in the logistics sector. The industry leaders need to change the mindset and perception and encourage hiring of woman in this sector.” Urging all women to come forward, Agarwal said, “Don’t hold yourself back. During the earlier times, it was unheard of woman joining the logistics sector but now it is a little easier for young generation since equal representation from woman is encouraged.” Srivastava stressed that there is a need to bridge the gap and encourage woman to join this sector. In addition, it is important to develop adequate infrastructure. Gupta believes that a woman needs to work hard twice to prove herself (in the same role). Recalling her past incidents, Pereira said, “There was a fear in the minds of man colleagues that woman deputed at CFS and ICD won’t come to visit the site. Also basic facilities like toilets are not properly equipped to cater to woman work force.”
The first outreach programme of working group of trade facilitation committee was also organised at the convention. Consequent to India’s ratification of Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of World Trade Organization (WTO) in April 2016, the National Committee on Trade Facilitation(NCTF) has been constituted. The establishment of the Committee is part of the mandatory, institutional arrangement of the TFA. Besides FFFAI, other members of committee are CII, FICCI, FIEO, ASSOCHAM.
Talking about future of logistics services, Sanjay Swaroop, Director International Marketing & Operations, CONCOR, said that a multi-modal logistics park will be the future because it is more than just a ICD/CFS. “A multi-modal logistics park will be a game changer as it will provide synergy between road and rail. This will help to facilitate efficient and cost effective services like cargo aggregation-disaggregation and will provide value added services.”
Presentations were made by international delegates including Farhad Karimov, Business Development Manager, ADY Express, Azerbaijan Railways and Neelima Vyas, director, Sohar Port Freezone. The three-day long convention touched upon various topics related to the logistics industry and issues affecting the functioning of freight forwarders.
