Commerce ministry seeks stakeholders’ opinion on draft logistics policy

To create a national logistics e-marketplace as a one-stop shop for exporters and importers, the Centre has come up with a draft national logistics policy, set up a separate fund for start-ups in the logistics sector, and to double employment in the sector. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has invited comments from stakeholders by February 19 on the draft policy. With regard to the e-marketplace, the draft stated, “It will involve simplification of documentation for exports/imports, and drive transparency through digitisation of processes involving customs, in regulatory, certification and, compliance services.”
The idea is to provide an impetus to trade, enhance export competitiveness, improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index to anywhere between 25 and 30, reduce losses due to agri-wastage to less than five per cent, and bring down logistics costs to 10 per cent of GDP from the current levels of 13-14 per cent. The logistics wing will work with the respective ministries for identification and development of terminals/logistics parks next to specific rail sidings to optimise freight movement for key commodities. “This would result in reduction of first-mile and last-mile costs, drastically bringing down the logistics cost,” the draft stated.
Key projects for driving first-mile and last-mile connectivity and to optimise the modal mix will be identified by the logistics wing, per the draft. Expedited clearances will be facilitated for infrastructure projects. Doubling employment in the logistics sector by generating 10-15 million jobs, focusing on enhancing skills in the sector, and encouraging gender diversity will also be on the anvil, the draft stated.