3-day FFFAI silver jubilee convention begins in Goa

The 25th Biennial Convention of the Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI) started in the presence of more than 700 delegates on May 29, 2025 at Taj Citade De, Goa.

The Inauguration of the 3-days Convention from May 29 to 31 was attended by Rohan Ashok Khaunte, Minister for Tourism & IT Government of Goa as Chief Guest; Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Charman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) as Keynote Speaker; FFFAI Charman Dushyant Mulani; Immediate Past Chairman and Convention Chairman Shankar Shinde; Chairman Elect Amit Kamat; Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, former Secretary General, World Customs Organisations; Capt. BVJK Sharma, CEO, Adani Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. and Niraj Ambani, Group President, Reliance Industries Ltd.

Welcoming the dignitaries and delegates Shankar Shinde stated that FFFAI Convention is not only a gathering of cream of the logistics service providers, it makes declarations on the critical role being played by the industry stakeholders in shaping up the future of Exim trade as well as the country’s economy towards ‘Vikshit Bharat’ by 2047.

According to him, collaborative and integrated logistics should be the way forward as the industry experienced during Covid-19 pandemic. In his opinion, collaboration is no longer optional. It is the only option. When the industry speaks of enhancing strategic partnership, it is laying down a four-pillar vision:

Policy Synergy – Working with the government to make regulation a platform, to facilitate. Digital Fusion – Integrating with technology to bring agility, transparency, and scale. Global Connectivity – Tapping into international trade corridors, FTAs, and market access to put India on the map — and at the helm. Fraternity First – Learning from each other, backing each other, and rising together as a collective force.

In his opening address, FFFAI Chairman Dushyant Mulani said that the logistics industry should also learn from the recent Defense exercise called “Operation Sindoor” which was meticulously executed by India’s strong Defense logistics infrastructure and operations. He also underlined the importance of FFFAI as an association which has evolved and established to an umbrella organization of 31 Member Associations from across the country.

The Federation is now focused on skill development through its training arm Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders and the Women Wing to woo young entrepreneurs and enhance the domain knowledge of the industry professionals. With this, the Federation created significant career opportunities to freshers/aspirants. FFFAI is also closely working with the CBIC, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ports & Shipping, Ministry of Civil Aviation and other allied Ministries, Government of India to facilitate the Exim logistics operations pan India. The FFFAI Chairman also commended the trade-friendly initiatives of CBIC and the Government of India, which are focused on paperless transactions, digitisation and infrastructure building for world-class logistics operations.

CBIC Chairman Sanjay Agarwal, while delivering his Keynote Address, highlighted the recent technology-driven trade facilitation initiatives in line with the National Logistics Policy and Ease of Doing Business mandates of the Government of India.  He appreciated FFFAI’s contribution towards the endeavour of CBIC with a global outlook for the larger interest of the Exim trade. The CBIC Chairman pointed out the gradual improvement in cargo clearance time by significantly reducing dwell time at various ports and border check posts.

The CBIC Chairman emphasized that due to the partnership between CBIC and FFFAI based the logistics industry would benefit immensely. According to him, Customs is very sincere in facilitating MSME by providing a level playing field to this sector, making Supply Chain Management seamless, uniform examination order by reducing physical examination, and ease in uploading online NOC to compete with the global market. He shared the findings of National Time Release Studies, which would support the Government in taking further trade facilitation measures. He informed that Customs is working on an Integrated System, having the logistics stakeholders on board.

Dr. Kunio Mikuriya also emphasized on Public Private Partnership in trade facilitation as experienced across the globe. He commended the Government of India and Indian Customs in this regard. He also recommended the Indian logistics industry stakeholders to focus on the IT initiatives to go with the global requirements based on the country’s strength in this sector.

Sudip Dey, Secretary, FFFAI proposed a vote of thanks expressing his sincere gratitude to the Chief Guest, Keynote Speakers, other dignitaries and all the delegates from across the country and overseas.