Changing role of freight forwarders

The 23th Biennial Convention of Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) will be held from January 19-21, 2017 at Crown Plaza in Kochi. The Convention will delve upon challenges faced by freight forwarding industry and business opportunities this sector offers. Samir Shah, Chairman, FFFAI speaks to Rashmi Pradhan on the main highlights of the Convention and on how the association is gearing up for the forthcoming Convention

Please throw some light on the theme of the Convention? In view of the fact that India is vying for increasing its share in global trade and exports through various initiatives like ‘Make in India’, ‘Ease of Doing Business’, ‘Single Window Clearances’, ‘Digital India’, etc, the theme of the convention “Indian Customs Broker - Trusted Single Entity Logistician - Capable and Dynamic” is the most apt illustration to focus on the crucial role played by customs brokers in the country. The role of customs brokers and freight forwarders in India would be the most important one to script the success of those initiatives. It should be noted that the traditional role of customs brokers and freight forwarders is being changed rapidly to cater to the requirements of complete logistics services. Logistics is the lifeline for the country’s manufacturing, distribution, exports/import and entire economy.

Tell us about topics to be discussed at the Convention? The panel discussions will help to assist in realigning the industry with multiple changes that will become the norm. The FFFAI Convention would discuss various aspects pertaining to emerging challenges and exploring new business opportunities. The Convention will have seven business sessions focusing on GST, future of logistics services, role of women and gender equalisation in logistics, future of customs clearance, freight forwarding and customs brokerage worldwide, role of technology etc.

Freight Forwarders’ Associations from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Singapore, UAE and some other countries are participating in this Convention.

What would be the main take away from the Convention for the delegates? The major highlight of the Convention will be image building of freight forwarding community of this country, emphasising on domain knowledge and international perspective. The need of the hour is to create awareness amongst wider section of the common people regarding the logistic sector. There are a lot of misconceptions and wrong notions about this sunrise sector, which pre-empts new people coming into this sector to accept it as a career option. The government has recognised logistics as an important sector as well as an employment generator. The priority being given to this sector at the Central level is what is needed. It is now for us as industry players to take full advantage of the same.

Tell us about FIATA World Congress 2018 to be held in New Delhi. The FIATA World Congress is an international social event that offers business and networking opportunities as well as interaction with governmental and non-governmental organisations.

FFFAI is going to host the FIATA World Congress in September 2018 in New Delhi. Over 1500 delegates from across 130 countries are expected to visit India for the Congress. This would make for the largest congregation of freight forwarders at any point and time. It is an opportunity to showcase the strength of customs brokers and freight forwarding industry in India before the foreign delegates.

The World Congress is very crucial for the development of EXIM trade at the backdrop when the Government of India is very serious to increase its market share in global trade by adopting industry-friendly policies and setting up world standard infrastructure. The delegates of the World Congress will have an opportunity to witness a rapidly changing infrastructure, an atmosphere of ease of doing business, a robust manufacturing base and hassle-free customs clearing mechanism in India, which would send a strong message to the industry enthusiasts interested for trade tie-ups with India.