BHUBANESWAR, INDIA - World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar actively participated and presented itself as a supporting partner at the Smart Logistics Summit 2017 organized by Maritime Gateway here on 9th June 2017 at Mayfair Convention Centre Bhubaneswar. The summit witnessed an inaugural session addressed by Mr. K. Raghuramaiah, Former Chairman, Paradip Port Trust, Mr. Asok Kumar Mohapatra and Mr. Samir J Shah, Chairman, Federation of Freight Forwarders Association followed by panel discussions on two crucial topics namely “Infrastructure Readiness for Growing Cargo” and “Logistic Challenges in Cargo Movement”. 

Capt. S.B. Mazumder, Executive Director, Seahorse Ship Agencies Pvt. Ltd. joined the Summit as a key speaker in one of the business sessions on “Infrastructure Readiness for Growing Cargo” on behalf of WTC Bhubaneswar. While critically analysing the growth of the logistics sector in India Capt. Mazumder shared his views on the major developments that have been achieved in the last five years as compared to a decade ago. He also deliberated on how inland waterways have gained the necessary attention to become a serious point of concern in today’s context. “Healthy growth led by competition is what is bringing in the readiness for this sector” he added. He also advocated on the need for a massive increase in the number of ports in India in correlation with its advantage of having a vast coastline and also recommended for geographical balance in development of ports across the borders of the country in all the four regions so that the purpose of the industry is met with more efficiently and effectively. While thanking WTC Bhubaneswar for inviting him to be a part of the session he stated how the global network of World Trade Centre’s contributes to the economic development of the region in terms of international trade facilitation and having its presence in Bhubaneswar is going to connect the local industry to the global market. 

The panel also comprising of representatives from relevant organizations such as Kolkata Port Trust, CONCOR, Samsara Group, Visakha Container Terminal Pvt Ltd., Dhamra Port Company Ltd. further discussed on the demands and challenges faced by the sector and various measures which need to be engaged in order to make the sector more competitive and efficient. The summit concluded with a lively interaction between the shippers and the service providers present on the occasion. 

In Photo: Capt. S.B. Mazumder, ED, Seahorse Ship Agencies Pvt. Ltd. addressing the delegates at the Summit.