1. COVERSTORY16 CARGOTALK JANUARY 2015
From e-Compliance to e-Commerce
Rapid increase in e-commerce, including cross-border
e-commerce will create new demands on the logistics sector
for developing solutions for SME customers and low-volume
irregular shippers and consignees.The magic bullet is
of course the overall development of logistics
infrastructure, including roads, ports and rail-
ways that cater to the most critical trade-lanes
in India.A genuine single-window that integrates customs,
excise, and all other relevant agencies involved in EXIM
clearances, acceptance of digital documents across the
board, RTO reforms; a regime that allows seamless and
inspection free movement of trucks across state borders, and liberalisation of restricted
logistics services such as coastal shipping (cabotage) are just some areas where the gov-
ernment has taken the first steps towards creating a more conducive operational environ-
ment for logistics services in India.We need an intensification of these reforms in 2015.
Pritam Banerjee
Senior Director, Corporate Public Policy (South Asia), Deutsche Post DHL
The strength of India’s warehousing and logistics sec-
tor is likely to be one of the key determinants of the pace
of future growth of Indian economy.India’s current logistics
infrastructure is inadequate to meet growth aspirations.
The future requires a holistic and sustainable approach
within the whole supply chains. Data Domain will be one
of the key factors in driving the daily activities such as vis-
ibility, transportation management, and warehouse or dis-
tribution center management. This will lead towards fast
decision makings, in both functional and strategic
approach. In that context there will be more collaborative
efforts between IT and manufacturing companies
Debabrata Bhattacharjee
General Manager- India and Sub- Continent, GoodPack
I see around 20-25 per cent of growth in coming year particularly
for the material handling industry. I don’t foresee growth for consruction
and equipment industry;the projects government have declared such as
land acquisition would take around 8-10 months, so by the time equip-
ments start pouring in it would be 2016.
I won’t say there is a boom in warehousing industry
but things are improving.There are already so many ware-
houses right now but the good thing is now people have
started investing in technology.
Piyush Goyal
Managing Director
Kelley Material Handling Equipment India
2014 was flat, industry is yet to grow in a big way and we are
definetely hoping that in the coming months, the government will neces-
sary take some initiatives to boost the industrial growth.The‘Make in India’
campaign is a very important for country because we cannot afford to be
a service country only. We have more than 1.2 billion people and if we
don’t make goods in india, it is not going to be affordable.
With the population of 1.2 billion, it is also easy to get a good market,
so the ‘Make in India’ campaign is strategically a right thing but it needs
to be pushed very hard.
Prakash Subramaniam
President & CEO, Hercules Hoist
2014 could be better if our government had created
ground which induces better rules and removed the major
hindrance faced by the freight industry. We have to make
India a place which can give international appeal
to all as a major hub, but still there is lot to be
done. There is a need to learn why so many cargo airlines
came and closed.We should work in a way that Indian oper-
ator also benefits from the same. Clear policy is required;
aviation rules should be simplified so that Indian registered
cargo airlines can flourish. DGCA should be e-compliance
and all application should not be worked at the last minute.
Sujeen Paulese
Director, Hercules
A new government has clearly demonstrated its pro business
approach. Few facts will play an important role such as the forthcoming
budget. The inflation going down will help RBI Governor to bring the rate
of interest down which will be good for investment and consumption to
help economy grow. However with the forthcoming budget of 2015, we
are expecting government to announce bold decision to put economy on
growth path which would also lead to growth in logistics.Major challenges
will remain infrastructure which needs a great amount of push both at the
airports and ports. Efficient and reliable IT support and avoidance of mul-
tilayer handling at airports and ports will help reduce cost.
Rajeev Bhatnagar
Managing Director, UFM
2015 is very much positive for warehousing industry
as more and more warehouses are expected to come.
Klaus – Peter Simon
Managing Director
Jungheinrich Lift truck India
Industry expects more than 6 per cent growth in 2015.Global analy-
sis across logistics sub-sectors reveals mixed outlook for the industry glob-
ally. Strong business and consumer confidence would be the key driver
to the growth.However, declined fuel and oil prices and substantial growth
of E-commerce are the attributes of this growth.
Ravinder Katyal
Director, UTi Worldwide
The recent relaxation of FDI norms in aviation was a welcome step
taken by the government wherein the policies have been favorable towards
the private players entering the export market.The government had
further taken major decision by upgrading the important
airports based on public-private-partnership (PPP) mode
and the importance being attached by the government to
provide state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities.
Processing of orders as per requirements, transport management,
vigorous inventory management, smooth warehousing, careful handling
of goods, proper packaging, strict production scheduling and timely
information system are few factors that enables efficiency and reliability in logistics.
Sunil Kohli
Managing Director, Rahat Cargo
I believe completely that we are entering achhe din
in the automotive sector. We are on the cusp of huge
growth potential and there is a pending opportunity in the
automotive industry and logistics per se.There are clear
signs of green shoots.
PremVerma
CEO, Tata Motors