Creating a benchmark in logistics: Pednekar

With the focus on FIATA World Congress 2018 and strengthening Federation of Freight Forwarder Association of India (FFFAI), Ashish S. Pednekar, has now taken charge of FFFAI. He charts out his plans for the industry.

My first priority would be creating awareness to make the FIATA World Congress-2018, which is being held from September 25-29, 2018, in New Delhi with FFFAI as host organisation, a great success. As FIATA World Congress has been the benchmarking event for all logistics professionals, we are expecting 1500 foreign and Indian delegates in this mega international event. FFFAI is committed to make this event a milestone for the development of India’s manufacturing, export/ import, forwarding and logistics industry. It would provide an opportunity for interaction on best practices in logistics across the world. We are also seeking support from all industry stakeholders and government to script the success story of FWC-2018. Meanwhile, also interacting with all relevant ministries and PMO office for their maximum participation.

The current Prime Minister of India’s vision ‘Zero Corruption’ should be implemented in letter of intent and spirit. We would convey regular suggestions to the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance to make sure there are transparency and minimum interfaces between Department of Customs and Customs Brokers. We support all pathbreaking initiatives from the government including the latest revolutionary step i.e. GST. The tax has integrated the country as regard to financial integration, facilitation of quick cargo movement and revenue earnings to strengthen the country.

At the same time, I would like to emphasise on enhancing skill for logistics industry by collaborating with the government. Our skill developing arm, Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders (IIFF), is going to further strengthen government’s ‘Skill India’ initiative for the benefit of logistics industry by signing MoU with the Skill Council for Logistics, under the Ministry of Skill Development. There is huge skill gap prevailing in the cargo and logistics industry and IIFF under FFFAI would play the critical role in supplying trained manpower, which will result in tremendous effects on performance and perception about this hitherto unorganised, and at the same time, potential sunrise sector.