‘Opportunities in Multimodal logistics needs to be explored’

“Multimodal transport opportunities through the INSTC, in which FFFAI is deeply engaged, needs to be explored,” said Dushyant Mulani, Chairman, FFFAI, while welcoming the dignitaries and participants from Russia, CIS countries and India during the recently concluded India-And-World’ Business Forum in Mumbai, jointly organised by The International Coordinating Council on Trans-Eurasian Transportation (CCTT) and the Federation of Freight Forwarding Associations of India (FFFAI). He urged that, “This is a good opportunity for members in logistics to participate and deliberate to have their concerns addressed and FFFAI is committed to support trade in facilitating and safeguarding trade with safety, security recommending measures to Government of India with simplification processes. The conference would help in deliberation and prepare white paper for representations. FFFAI continues its endeavors to promote International trade in cooperation with trade associations and is happy to receive the international delegation to exchange and share insight and happy to partner with CCTT for future initiatives.” Mr. Shankar Shinde, IP Chairman, FFFAI and Vice Chairman CCTT elaborated the significance of ‘India-And-World’ Business Forum in promoting the North South and East West corridors. He highlighted FFFAI’s initiatives to promote INSTC route in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Inland Waterways, Government of India. Mr. Shinde also discussed the key findings of the Dry Run Studies done by FFFAI on INSTC route, its advantages as well as issues that need to be addressed for seamless and viable operations. He also underlined the importance of Chabahar Port in Iran which has been developed by the Government of India. A study also has been done by FFFAI on the strategic importance of this port and transportation through Iran to Russia and beyond. Mr. Shinde pointed out that India’s accession to the TIR Convention was one of the key developments in this regard. The collaborative initiatives provided opportunities to Logistics service providers to participate in cross border trade with landlocked countries using TIR for seamless movements. Further, Mr Shinde provided details on Insurances and Bank remittances support systems for trade with Iran /Russia.