WAI held first AGM, shares plans for New Year

The Warehousing Association of India (WAI) held its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of on December 22. The meet was attended by the association members from across India. Manu R. Bhalla, President, WAI gave an overview of the association’s progress and the initiatives planned for the New Year.

The President listed some of the achievements

1. WAI & KPMG engagement with Karnataka Government on the ease of doing warehousing business in the state of Karnataka
2. Launch of the Warehousing Standards Handbook at National Logistics Policy Event by Hon. Prime Minister Sri. Narendra Modi on September 17, 2022
3. Convened the National Logistics Policy Conference at The Oberoi, New Delhi on 11th November’22 which was Chaired by Som Prakash, Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GOI at which other dignitaries like Pawan Agarwal, Past Special Secretary, Logistics & Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, S.K. Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Logistics & Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Er. S. Bhardwaj – Dy. Director-General, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Suresh Kakani IAS, Managing Director of Maharashtra Industrial Township Ltd., Pritam Banerjee – Logistics Specialist, Asian Development Bank To name a few:
4. Released WAI + EY Report for the Ease of ease of establishment & operating Warehouses in these states
5. Warehousing business by Sri Suresh Kakani IAS, Managing Director of Maharashtra Industrial Township Ltd in the presence of Er. S. Bhardwaj – Dy. Director-General- Pilot project in Maharastra, Haryana & UP
6.Discussion and Engagement with Asian Development Bank on Diversity in the Warehousing Industry
7. MOUs were signed with NAREDCO/ CVSCL/ ASSOCHAM / DPIIT
8. Engagement with Delhi Govt for Urban Logistics Policy
9. Bench marking of best practices across states –LEADS exercise engagement with Earnest & Young

He also shared plans for 2023

1. Continuing the engagement with DPIIT, MoC and doing new joint projects in connection with Gati Shakti, Ease of Doing business and related to reduction of Logistics cost.
2. Rating and grading of warehouses in collaboration with DPIIT and other stake holders
3. Publishing the updated Warehousing Standards Handbook for 2023
4. Working with Asian Development Bank on Diversity & Inclusion project
5. Engaging with states for ease of doing warehousing business across the nation.
6. Annual conference on Warehousing
7. Skilling, Training and Development programs with IIMA and other Institutes