According to Mr Samir Shah, Immediate Past Chairman, FFFAI and Partner JBS Group of Companies, effective skill development is the critical area that would make huge difference in logistics operation and the growth of this highly potential sector. In India this crucial work has already been initiated by Logistics Skill Council (LSC), Government of India and Industry stakeholders together. Meanwhile, the government has decided to start B Voc Logistics degree courses in 21 Colleges. LSC is supporting them with curriculum design and industry-relevant content. LSC is also planning to include Logistics as a subject in B.A and B.Com courses and tie it up apprenticeships. The Council intends creating structured Career Pathways through Apprenticeship i.e. Trade Apprenticeship after 12th, Diploma Apprenticeship for students pursuing education in a Polytechnic and Degree Apprenticeship for Graduates. Mr Shah pointed out these aspects pertaining to the growth of logistics sector in India while he was delivering his speech at the Colombo International Logistics Conference 2019, held on August 1-2. The Conference was attended by several industry veterans and experts from across the world. “Our objective is not only to create employment, we also endeavour to imbibe domain expertise among students as well as logistics practitioners for efficient logistics operation by adhering to all compliances.
Mr Shah also highlighted the Government of India and State Government’s recent initiatives to facilitate logistics industry. He underscored that Ministry of Commerce, Government of India has created Separate Logistics Department and Prepared a Draft Logistics Policy in consultation with industry stakeholders. In addition, many State Governments have also prepared and announced separate Logistics Policies for the respective States.
Moreover, Mr Shah pointed out Government of India’s pro active trade facilitation initiatives and achievements in line with WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement signed. He pondered on the activities of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) headed by Cabinet Secretary, Government of India and which included some 22 secretaries from different ministries and 6 industry representative associations including FFFAI. Thanks to NCTF cargo clearance has been streamlined tremendously in India, because every one of those 22 ministries are following the unified system set by Indian Customs. As a result, presently 76 percent of cargo clearance is done without manual intervention of Customs officials. And, very soon customs clearance will be made available over smart phone.
