The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) signed an MoU with Myanmar International Freight Forwarders Association (MIFFA) to facilitate the bilateral trade between India and Myanmar. As per the MoU both the associations will record and form the basis of understanding between the Parties to strengthen, promote and develop co-operation between the two associations to benefit Members and trade. The MoU was signed by the FFFAI Chairman Mr. Shankar Shinde and MIFFA Chairman Dr. Aye Aye in presence of other Office Bearers/Executive Committee Members of FFFAI and MIFFA. Major areas of the activities would include: Trade support /networking; technology exchange; women participation and empowerment; youth promotion; Members support; skill development/training; business opportunities and Infrastructure development towards better connectivity opportunities for Members any other areas of cooperation. “By signing this MoU we have agreed that both the associations will work together in the spirit of joint cooperation and will endeavour to assist each other in relation to matters contemplated under this MoU on best efforts basis for the mutual benefit. Thereby we will support the mission and goals of each of the associations to achieve the beneficial objectives agreed by us for our members,” informed Mr Shinde. MIFFA delegates who visited the FFFAI Office were Ms. Hla Hla Yee (Secretary General); Ms. Ohn Mar Maw (Joint Secretary); Mr. Pyei Phyo Aung (Auditor); Ms. Yin Yin Htay (Executive Committee Member); Ms. Moh Moh (Member); Mr.Tun Tun Linn (Member); Ms. Phyo Thanda (Member); Mr. Kyaw Thet Linn (Member) and Ms. Kyipyar Min Tun (Member). MIFFAI extended an invitation to FFFAI for a visit to Myanmar. The MIFFA delegates also had good interactions with the FFFAI Women’s Wing. Lead by Ms. Chaitaly …

Congratulating the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India for unveiling the ‘Foreign Trade Policy-2023 (FTP-2023)’ on March 31, 2023, Shankar Shinde, Chairman, Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI) said that it would build trade confidence and would be a way forward for moving India from developing to developed country. In his opinion, the FTP has been well articulated for EXIM trade on long term growth and is progressive in nature. “This will change the mindset of trade to professionalize their business and create strong business foundation through four pillars in terms of recovering in form of remission and not really depend on subsidies, progress with collaboration, cooperation and support ease of doing business It would further create new opportunities covering new untapped geographical areas to meet the exports target of 2 trillion dollars by 2030,” Mr. Shinde observed. He also praised that FTP 2023 introduced a digitalization platform to integrate with single window business platform which aims at process re-engineering and automation to facilitate ease of doing business with codified implementation mechanism in online environment to result in system based paperless, faceless, contactless with seamless processes for creating trust based environment. Moreover, FTP encourages recognition of new towns through “Towns of Export Excellence Scheme” and exporters through “Status Holder Scheme”. It aims at building partnerships with State governments and taking forward the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative to promote exports at the district level and accelerate the development of a grassroots trade ecosystem. “This will leverage exports through State infrastructure development, Capacity building with state collaboration,” the FFFAI Chairman said. Commending the Government’s initiatives on strengthening the exim trade ecosystem, Mr. Shinde pointed out that the FTP …

Continental Carriers is all set to launch India’s FIRST RA3 accredited Greenfield Air Freight Station, an off-airport common user facility offering services for processing and storage of export goods, among other things. Thanks to the cooperation and assistance of the authorities viz., MoCA, CBIC, BCAS, DIAL etc, the late Shri T.N Vohra’s vision became a reality.

Air Cargo veteran, Ashwin Bhat, who has been associated with Lufthansa Cargo since long, as the carrier’s CCO, has now taken over as the CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, effective from 15 April, following Dorothea von Boxberg’s departure for Brussels Airlines. Bhat has been steadily working his way through the Lufthansa Group’s cargo division, joining Swiss World Cargo under former boss Oliver Evans, before taking over in Zurich in 2015 and joining the executive board of Lufthansa Cargo as CCO in 2021.

To achieve US$2 trillion exports by 2030, the Union government launched Foreign Trade Policy 2023, effective April 1. Unveiling the new policy, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the highly dynamic nature of global markets requires quick policy response. “The policy will continue to adopt consultative approach to resolve issues of trade and industry with wider participation of states and districts in promoting exports from the grassroots.” It will promote trade settlements in Indian Rupee and adhere to the global principle that duties should not be exported. The current FTP 2015-20, which expired on 31 March 2023 after having been extended many times on the industry’s demands. The new trade policy would take forward the government’s ongoing efforts to boost exports, Goyal said.

To boost exports amid slowing global trade, Foreign Trade Policy has been announced by the government. Nisschal Jaain, Founder and CEO, Shypmax, expresses his opinion on the same, “Amid the interim slowdown in the otherwise booming global trade especially with regards to the Indian Exim landscape, the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 provides the right impetus to EXIM, e-commerce, as well as logistics stakeholders to boost exports. The new policy entails the roadmap to take India’s goods and services exports to $2 trillion by 2030. The move to focus on emerging areas like e-commerce and export hubs while promoting ease of doing business through collaboration with exporters, states, districts, and Indian Missions, is commendable. The decision to increase the value limit for exports through courier services from INR 5 lakh to INR 10 lakh per consignment, provides the much needed boost to the logistics sector. With this, the e-commerce exports are expected to grow to USD 200-300 billion by 2030.” He adds, “By minimising the export license fees from around 100,000 to 5,000, MSMEs have been given their due share of relief. This will also expand the horizons of the export market in India and make India’s a far more competitive ecosystem. Another factor which strengthens India’s footing in the global market is the internationalization of rupee which comes off as very beneficial for exporters. Their dependency on dollar pricing will start to decline. Additionally, 4 new towns of excellence along with 39 existing towns will focus on exports of handicrafts, handlooms supporting the small-scale artisans. All in all, when these orders come into effect, logistics stakeholders including logistics players will witness a competitive environment in terms of export orders, …

Incheon International Airport expects to benefit from a large-scale global distribution centre (GDC) for e-commerce that is due to be built in the Incheon Airport Free Economic Zone in August. When the GDC is completed, it is expected to generate approximately 8,000 tons of cargo and about 240 new jobs. The airport is also focusing on investing in cargo terminals to support cargo airlines, and building up pharma and cold chain business. The project will cost approximately $28m. Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) said that the Incheon Free Economic Zone, which includes the Incheon Airport Logistics Complex and cargo terminal areas, provides customers with a more competitive environment through convenient customs procedures, tariff benefits, and various incentives. In April 2005, 2,093,000 sq m were designated as a free trade zone, followed by the expansion of the first airport logistics complex by 922,000 sq m in December 2007, and the designation of a new second airport logistics complex of 326,000 sq m in April 2020. There are 40 logistics companies and two manufacturing companies in the airport logistics complex, and those tenants are guaranteed free manufacturing, logistics, and trade activities, as well as receiving low rent and tariff deferral benefits.

AviaAM Leasing has delivered another 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) to Icelandic ACMI leasing and cargo airline Bluebird Nordic, for global operations. This is the fourth aircraft in the Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversion programme for sister company and lessee Bluebird, and was originally due to be delivered in January. AviaAM said in a LinkedIn post: “AviaAM Leasing is pleased to have completed the delivery of a 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter to Bluebird Nordic. This is the fourth aircraft in the Passenger-to-Freighter conversion program.” The B737-800, bearing serial number 29790, underwent the P2F conversion works provided by Boeing at Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (STAECO) facility in Jinan (TNA), China. Bluebird Nordic and AviaAM Leasing are a part of Avia Solutions Group and are working together to enable Bluebird to achieve its fleet expansion goals.

Continental Carriers is all set to launch India’s FIRST RA3 accredited Greenfield Air Freight Station, an off-airport common user facility offering services for processing and storage of export goods, among other things. Thanks to the cooperation and assistance of the authorities viz., MoCA, CBIC, BCAS, DIAL etc, the late Shri T.N Vohra’s vision became a reality.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has secured an Airbus contract to manufacture cargo and bulk cargo doors of the A320neo aircraft family, says release. TASL will produce these doors at a new facility in Hyderabad using cutting-edge robotics and automation technology and each shipset will include two cargo doors and one bulk cargo door, adds release. Airbus Senior Vice president (Aerostructure Procurement) Olivier Cauquil and TASL Vice president (Aerostructure and Aero-Engines) Masood Hussainy signed the contract. Airbus presently procures components and services worth US $735 million annually from more than 100 Indian suppliers. Every Airbus commercial aircraft and Airbus helicopter has critical technologies and systems designed, manufactured and maintained in India. Airbus India and South Asia president and Managing Director Remi Maillard said, “When it comes to supporting the development of India’s industrial capacities, Airbus is walking the talk. The latest contract underlines our continued commitment to ‘Make-in-India’ for an AatmaNirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).” “In TASL, we have a most trusted and able partner that will support the ramp-up of our A320neo family aircraft that has been the poster child of democratisation and transformation of India’s aviation sector. We will continue to grow our industrial footprint and the aviation and aerospace ecosystem at a fast pace in India,” Maillard said.