Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “To enhance exports, India must diversify markets, targeting emerging economies and non-traditional regions. Strengthening manufacturing under Make in India and improving quality standards are key. Expanding and renegotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) can open new opportunities. Promoting supply chain digitization and reducing logistics costs through infrastructure upgrades will improve efficiency. Incentives for value-added products, support for MSMEs, and global branding initiatives will help India gain a competitive edge in global markets. Future export drivers include electronics, electric vehicles, green energy components, and pharmaceuticals like biologics. IT services, AI-driven technologies, agro-processed products, and sustainable textiles also show strong potential. With global focus on renewable energy, sectors like solar panels and specialty chemicals will gain prominence. Innovation, value addition, and sustainable practices will ensure India’s competitive edge in these areas.”

M Afzal Malbarwala, MD, Galaxy Freight said, “We face global challenges like the Red Sea crisis, the Russia-Ukraine War, and trade tensions involving the US and countries like China and Mexico. To address these, India must explore new markets and expand its products and services. India should close the gap between high-value sectors, like electronics, and traditional sectors, like textiles and jewellery, by adjusting tariffs that hinder growth. This will boost the competitiveness of Indian products. Also, simplifying customs, improving business conditions, and encouraging innovation are crucial for increasing exports. The main drivers of merchandise export growth include electronic goods (especially telecom products), drugs and pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, iron ore, cotton yarn/fabs/made-ups, handloom products, and ceramic products and glassware. India is also making impressive strides in exporting petroleum products and automotive fuel.”

WebCargo, in collaboration with Qatar Airways Cargo, has launched ‘WebCargo Pay in India,’ complementing WebCargo’s existing air cargo booking solution. With WebCargo Pay, traditional barriers like bank guarantees are removed, making one-stop air cargo pricing, booking and payment seamless and efficient. WebCargo Pay will now ensure that forwarders can access Qatar Airways Cargo’s capacity and competitive rates, helping businesses of all sizes thrive in a rapidly growing market. Simplified payments, No Bank guarantee requirement and zero waiting time are some of the key features which India-based forwarders can access via WebCargo Pay. “Being the first international cargo carrier to offer WebCargo Pay in India represents a significant step in giving freight forwarders the tools they need to compete and grow in a competitive market. This partnership simplifies payment and booking, ensuring that forwarders can instantly access Qatar Airways Cargo’s global network without the traditional hurdles of bank guarantees,” Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, said.

Dangerous Goods Management India (DGM) has been accredited as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) FIATA authorised DG training school for DGR for air mode effective 1 January 25. DGM is the first academy to be accredited for this. Now, successful participants from freight forwarding community, awarded with the DG certificate for personnel responsible for processing or accepting DG cargo by air, will no longer need to submit another letter from training institute. ICAO FIATA certificate is valid for purpose of meeting the requirement of cargo resolution 802, when registering as IATA agent. Radharamanan Panicker, MD of DGM India says, “the certificate issued by DGM under the banner of ICAO FIATA will enable the forwarders to avoid the nuisance of getting a letter issued by the training school along with certificate every time they need to apply for agency licence from IATA. This will also enable DGM India to strengthen market position and develop and deliver quality DG training courses”.

Indian logistics industry has witnessed massive development in the last few years, but there’s need to improve multimodal transport and connectivity. Geopolitical tensions have also impacted Indian supply chains, said Arun Kumar, President, Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) at its fourth quarterly meeting in New Delhi focusing on Geopolitics and Multimodal Transportation. He added, “Under PM’s ambitious initiatives like Gati Shakti and National Logistics Policy, remarkable physical and digital infrastructure developments have been done for seamless cargo movement. AMTOI plans to take the industry forward in line with government and industry players plans and by collaborating and knowledge-sharing with each other.” The event began with lamp lighting by dignitaries followed by panel discussions and vote of thanks.

Mohit Kapoor, Chair – Projects and Events Committee, Warehousing Association of India (WAI) said, “The Indian logistics and infrastructure landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, thanks to the visionary initiatives under PM Gati Shakti and NLP. These programs, coupled with platforms like the LEADS & LEAPS are fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration across industries. Attending the National Logistics Awards Ceremony at Bharat Mandapam as a Jury Member for LEAPS awards was an inspiring experience, where we celebrated achievements in logistics and infrastructure development. The launch of two pivotal research studies during the event further highlighted the strides India is making in enabling seamless, efficient, and sustainable multimodal infrastructure. Key positive impacts of all these initiatives include: ✅ Enhanced Multimodal Connectivity: PM Gati Shakti’s holistic approach ensures efficient integration of transport modes, driving down logistics costs and improving ease of doing business. ✅ Streamlined Supply Chains: With the National Logistics Policy, businesses experience reduced bottlenecks, faster movement of goods, and higher competitiveness. ✅ Recognition of Excellence: LEADS and LEAPES Awards provide a platform to honor trailblazers who are redefining industry standards, motivating others to strive for excellence. ✅ Driving Economic Growth: By empowering industries with robust infrastructure, India is steadily moving toward the vision of Make in India and Viksit Bharat. As honorable Minister Shri Piyush Goyal stated these initiatives are not just about logistics; they are about creating a resilient and future-ready India. As stakeholders, let’s continue to innovate, collaborate, and contribute to this extraordinary journey of nation-building.  

Thirteen states and Union Territories have been identified as ‘achievers’ in logistics performance Index as per, the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024 report. This report, released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, evaluates the efficiency of logistics services. The index aims to promote trade and reduce transaction costs, which is essential for economic growth. The states categorised as ‘achievers’ include Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi. Other achievers are Chandigarh, Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. These states excel in logistics infrastructure and services, contributing to national economic development. The report classifies states into three categories – achievers, fast movers, and aspirers. Fast movers include Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Aspirers consist of Kerala, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Ladakh. This classification helps identify areas for improvement and investment.

DHL Express has signed MoU with the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to ship India-crafted jewellery via courier mode, leveraging DHL’s time-definite international (TDI) delivery service. As the first international logistics provider to sign an MoU with GJEPC, DHL will support local jewellery and gem makers to broaden their footprint and increase revenue. The GJEPC is an apex body of the gem and jewellery industry under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. “India’s gems and jewellery industry is a vibrant export segment. Our product offering for exporting fine jewellery shipments addresses critical pain points for local exporters through our trusted, seamless, and cost-effective shipping solution. Through this partnership, we are simplifying international shipping and providing jewellery makers with the tools they need to thrive in global markets,” said R. S. Subramanian, SVP South Asia, DHL Express.  The MoU intends to simplify the customs clearance process for jewellery shipments, reducing transit times, paperwork, and costs compared to traditional cargo shipping methods.    

Apeksha Gupta, Head of Skilling, VCJ Foundation says, “Enhancing cargo security through IoT and advanced technologies is essential for improving logistics efficiency. Real-time monitoring and proactive management can reduce theft and damage. India faces challenges like underdeveloped security norms and logistics infrastructure, necessitating modernization and comprehensive laws for optimal cargo security.”

  Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “Cargo security is the cornerstone of efficient logistics operations. By safeguarding goods throughout the supply chain, we not only mitigate risks that cause costly delays but build confidence across the supply chain thereby enhancing trust and reliability. Implementing robust security measures streamlines processes, reduces disruptions, and ensures that cargo moves seamlessly, enabling businesses to meet global demands with confidence and efficiency.”