Connecting freight forwarders
India has thousands of independent freight forwarders who struggle with various logistical and technology issues. But companies like WCA and Win are helping them overcome these issues.
Talking about logistics, Dan March, CEO, WCA, finds India an exciting market. Many multinational companies and investors in manufacturing, hi-tech industries and pharmaceuticals are looking to the Indian market to bring in the next great economic transformation, as China did. But March lists some major hurdles that India will have to cross to get to where China is.
He says, “The potential for medium-term growth is incredible as China begins to slow down. However, the growth in India is a little slow this year. But I think this is temporary and will resume to a healthy level from 2017-18. India’s growth could easily be in double digits if the infrastructure could be improved. But it’s not going to happen overnight.”
He adds that there are also some technical issues and some tax issues that are slowly being addressed such as the GST. “Our members are optimistic that India’s current political leader is heading in the right direction and is progressive on some of these issues and releasing some of the barriers to trade in terms of taxation and customs and charges,” March says.
WCA has a network of 6,000 freight forwarder member offices around the world, of which about 600 are in India alone. The company tries to bring these members together to discuss issues, network with each other, expand their business, bring new business to India and abroad. It has an office in Mumbai with a staff of 25.
“We have a relationship with the Freight Forwarders Association of India that has direct inroads into the government. We also give our inputs to the airports that are partially and sometimes fully government owned. Unfortunately, we don’t have any direct contact with any ministry,” March adds.
WCA has a network of 6,000 freight forwarder member offices around the world, of which about 600 are in India alone. The company tries to bring these members together to discuss issues