Category Archives: Aviation

‘Improving quality, scaling up infra, embracing tech crucial’

The ongoing supply chain shocks, geopolitical tensions and tariff escalations have pushed the world toward regionalisation,” said Amit Maheshwari Founder & CEO, Softlink Global. He added, “in this context, India’s ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives are not just patriotic slogans—they are strategic levers for resilience. But let’s be clear: shifting trade dynamics overnight is not easy. Indian manufacturers and exporters will need to adapt fast—by improving product quality, scaling up infrastructure and embracing digital technologies. This shift is less about self-reliance in isolation and more about strengthening India’s role as a dependable node in the global value chain. Technology will be the backbone of this transition. From factory automation to digital logistics platforms that unify documentation, compliance and trade finance, tech-led efficiency will define who thrives in the new era. Yes, the industry will cope. But only those who act, adapt and automate will lead. The world is rethinking trade. India must not just respond—we must lead.”

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Jeena & Salesforce unite to drive digital transformation

Jeena & Company announced a strategic collaboration with Salesforce to accelerate its digital transformation journey forward. This collaboration will help Jeena & Company unlock deeper customer intelligence, data driven decision making and consistency across teams. As part of the first phase, Jeena & Company is deploying the Salesforce Sales Cloud to enhance sales visibility and enable faster, more integrated engagement across its logistics network. The platform will empower sales teams with real-time visibility across every stage of the deal cycle, helping drive quicker closures and improve conversion rates. With a single source of truth for customer data through Salesforce Cistomer360, Jeena & Company will deepen customer engagement, personalise outreach and unlock recurring revenue opportunities. With a legacy of over 125 years and presence across critical freight and logistics verticals, Jeena & Company is now future-proofing its operations by tapping into the full potential of Salesforce’s trusted, scalable and AI-ready platform. This marks a strategic shift from legacy systems to intelligent workflows that deliver connected, data-rich, and consistent experiences for customers and partners alike.

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BLR Airport records surge in mango exports by 12% in FY 2025

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has concluded its most successful mango season, exporting 921 MT of mangoes globally. This represents a 12 per cent increase over last season — the equivalent of 31.5 lakh mangoes shipped in FY 2025. Sourced from the lush mango belts of Karnataka and neighbouring regions, BLR Airport helps deliver this golden harvest from local orchards to consumers worldwide. This season’s success reflects BLR Airport’s growing role as a global hub for perishables. Shipments reached 51 international destinations, a 21 per cent increase from last year, with 19 new destinations added to the network. A total of 24 airlines facilitating mango exports this season. Top five international destinations include Dulles (IAD) Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago (ORD) and Seattle (SEA). Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), said, “At BLR Airport, we take great pride in being a trusted link between our farmers and global consumers. The success of this mango season speaks to the collaborative efforts of our regulatory bodies, airline partners, cargo handlers, trade promotion councils, trade bodies and farming communities.”

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‘Tariffs will majorly impact agri, electronics & leather good exports’

Praveen Manoharran, MD & CEO, Breezonica Logistics and Warehousing LLP said, “The major impact is going to be on the Jewellery and precious stones segment, as pharma and electronics are exempt from the US Tariffs. It was evident in the Modi’s pitch at Surat, which is the top exporter to USA. Since Jewellery and precious stones fall under luxury segment it is not going to be of major impact due to tariffs and recently Trump said Gold is exempt from the tariffs. Luxury segment buyers see the craftsmanship and the uniqueness in the product, unlike Pharma industry for quality and compliance, unlike electronics industry which looks for quality, compliance and cost effectiveness. The top 3 major export sectors from India to USA are Jewelry & precious stones, Pharma & Electronics. “Vocal for Local” pitch is going to impact the FMCG, QSR, Liquor, Dairy & Cosmetics segments wherein the USA companies have lot of market share in India. This is intended to up the pressure on the POTUS, Donald Trump. Vocal for Local pitch is going to pressure the American companies in the above segments. As you can see that Campa Cola, the Reliance brand is aggressively taking on Coca cola & Pepsi by exclusive tie ups in Domestic Airports & Metro stations across India which will impact the sales of American Beverages giants along with Vocal for Local Pitch. This pressure tactic might make the US companies to pacify the POTUS in the long run. The tariffs is going to have pressure on the Indian exports of agri commodity exports, handicrafts, leather goods which are going to less impact on the total exports from India but definitely on the livelihood …

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‘ Domestic suppliers will need rapid capacity expansion, investment in automation and adherence to international compliance’

Balagopal Balachandran, National Head – Air Freight, FEI Cargo said, “In the mercurial world of business, uncertainty is a constant companion and ready to strike when least expected.  As the world engage with unpredictable supply chains, rising tariffs and renewed trade tensions,  Indian manufacturers stand at a crucial crossroads.  In a world of shifting tariffs, trade wars, geopolitical conflicts and fragile supply chain, India’s Vocal for local and make in India initiatives are more than policy slogans, they are twin engines of resilience and growth. By strengthening domestic manufacturing , improving global competitiveness and uncovering newer markets, these strategies ensure India is not just a participant in the new trade order but a driver of it. The path ahead will be bold but not easy. India’s deep rooted entrepreneurial spirit offers a unique edge ; the ability to turn challenges into opportunity. The new era of manufacturing is not simply be about making in India it will be about making Indian goods world class, globally competitive and respected for their quality and durability. The shift means rethinking of sourcing, production models, distribution networks, newer markets and so on. Domestic suppliers will need rapid capacity expansion, investment in automation and adherence to international compliance to remain competitive. In the short term, challenges will include higher raw material costs, slower market adaptation and the challenge in replacing established global supply chains . However, in long term , Vocal for Local and Make in India can build economic resilience, reduce external vulnerability, and position India as both a reliable domestic base and a competitive global player. The message is clear the future of Indian manufacturing is not just about making in India, it …

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‘Scale up domestic manufacturing capabilities to reduce import dependence’

C K Govil, President, ACAAI said, “The industry’s ability to cope with this shift will hinge on agility, collaboration and investment in capacity. With tariff wars and supply chain disruptions pushing costs up and creating uncertainty, Vocal for Local and Make in India offer both a challenge and an opportunity. Manufacturers and agents will need to re-engineer sourcing strategies, diversify supply chains and scale up domestic manufacturing capabilities to reduce import dependence. This transition will require government–industry partnerships to ensure policy stability, infrastructure upgrades, and skill development. While short-term pain is inevitable due to higher costs and adaptation time, in the medium to long term, the shift could strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem, boost exports, and create more resilient trade pathways that are less vulnerable to geopolitical turbulence.”

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‘Ensure local products are affordable & accessible to all consumers’

  Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo said, “Amid an uncertain global trade scenario coupled with tariff wars, the Indian industry needs to gear up to face the challenges by adopting several remedial measures and the ‘vocal for local’ mantra has been a paramount factor to overcome the odds since it encourages prioritising domestic products to boost local manufacturing and the economy. It would further lead to reduced imports in sectors like electronics and automobiles, supported by government incentives like Production-Linked Incentive schemes. The ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat’ movement will promote small and medium enterprises apart from substituting the imported goods with local alternatives. The consumer goods market, especially in sectors like handicrafts, textiles and jewellery, has also seen a push to promote Indian brands over foreign ones. The ‘Vocal for Local’ movement, while promoting self-reliance, also needs to navigate potential trade-offs, such as balancing domestic production with global competitiveness and ensuring that local products are affordable and accessible to all consumers. The challenge for the government and local businesses will be to continue ensuring the growth of high-quality local alternatives that can compete globally.“

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‘Capitalise on rising export & manufacturing opportunities’

Vaibhav Vohra, Managing Director, Continental Carriers said, “The ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, amid global disruptions and tariff wars, are set to reshape trade flows and supply chains. As manufacturing shifts domestically, demand for integrated logistics, warehousing and multimodal connectivity will surge. Freight forwarders will adapt by strengthening domestic supplier networks, investing in technology for real-time visibility and enhancing cold chain and value-added services. While infrastructure gaps and transition costs remain challenges, the logistics industry can capitalise on increased cargo movement, regional manufacturing hubs and export opportunities. This transition presents a vital chance to build resilient, cost-efficient and globally competitive supply chains for India.”  

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‘Infra upgrades & connectivity will transform logistics sector’

At the recently held LogisEast 2025 logistics summit in Kolkata, Subrat Tripathy, President (BD), Adani Ports & SEZ said, “India’s share of global trade, currently between 1.5 per cent and 2 per cent, has immense potential to grow. With the right strategies, this share can multiply rapidly, with export-driven trade contributing significantly in a geometric fashion to the growth of our GDP. As per the Sagarmala vision, our focus rests on four pillars: modernisation, efficiency, connectivity and port-led coastal community development. Together, these pillars can transform India’s maritime and logistics landscape, enabling us to compete more effectively in the global trade arena.”

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CII hosts LogisEast meet to drive logistics sector growth

CII hosted LogiEast logistics summit and exhibition in Kolkata. Debashis Dutta, Chairman CII said, “We have gathered against the backdrop of rapid progress in global trade and logistics. The OECD supply chain resilience review reminds us that the lifting of mini GDCs has gone hand-in-hand with rising GDP per capita, particularly in developing economies like ours. Quite simply, trade creates opportunity and that opportunity can transform lives.” “Logistics is among the most important industries in the world. In India, it is the backbone of economic growth, employing over 22 million people. A 10% reduction in indirect logistics costs can increase exports by 5–8%.” “The Government of India has recognised the potential of global trade, logistics and warehousing. Through initiatives like Bharat ULIP, it is creating a unified digital trade ecosystem aligned with global best practices. The pandemic tested us like never before, disrupting labour, supply chains, and operations – yet the resilience of our logistics sector has been remarkable.”

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