Session on Role of Logistics in Export Performance
Logistics play a crucial role in the economy as well as International Trade as it facilitates the movement of goods from suppliers to manufacturers, then to sellers or distributors and eventually to the buyers. This supply chain acts as a series of transactions and expedites the trade logistics infrastructure such as roads and highways, ports, railways, airports including dry ports, warehousing infrastructure etc.
Export is known to be one of the biggest components of international trade. As the center has been working to promote exports from the State, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar has recently been entrusted as an Export Facilitation Cell for the state by the MSME Department, Government of Odisha. World Trade Center Bhubaneswar in association with Department of MSME, Government of Odisha and Directorate of Export Promotion & Marketing, Government of Odisha organized its first initiative under the EFC (Export Facilitation Cell) , “Session on Role of Logistics in Export Performance” in Bhubaneswar.
The session acted as a knowledge sharing platform for the export ready MSMEs to learn the nuances of logistics and address the challenges experienced in warehousing, transportation and other aspects of logistics to further accelerate exports from the state.
Mr. Saswat Mishra, IAS, Principal Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha chaired the session and in his inaugural address, highlighted how Odisha as a state supports start-ups and enterprises of the state with advanced policies, best in class infrastructure, skilling etc. He further spoke about how the state supports MSMEs while facilitating economic empowerment, accelerate the growth of focus sectors and the collective measures taken by the state as well the central government to assist in *Ease of Doing Business* with an aim to make Odisha the preferred destination for MSMEs.
Capt. Mohit Chaturvedi, Sr. Vice President, National Head – Sales & Business Development, Container Terminals, JM Baxi Group started off with a brief introduction to the JM Baxi group and gave a detailed presentation on the infrastructure of JM Baxi, Visakha Container Terminal, Visakha Container Freight Station, VCT Service Profile, VCT Hinterland Distribution and its journey. He also deliberated on the Haldia International Container Terminal, HICT Service Profile, its Hinterland distribution as well the advantages. He further outlined the Paradip International Cargo Terminal (Multi Purpose), PICT Hinterland Distribution, Step towards renewable energy (ESG), Logistics Cost – Measures and Logistics Cost in Odisha.
Mr. D Krishna Rao, Sr. Manager (C&O), CONCOR Bhubaneswar in his address highlighted the significance of export in logistics performance, mission of CONCOR, Core Business of CONCOR, advantages of CONCOR for Multimodal Transportation etc. In addition to that, he also spoke on the journey from Terminal Operator to Total Logistic Service Provider like MMLPs, Air Cargo, First Mile Last Mile Services (FMLM), Containerized Bulk Movement, IT Initiatives and AI based Container Terminal Management System. He further spoke on the CONCOR’s Terminal Network, New Port-side Multi-modal Logistics Parks developed by CONCOR, details of movable assets, Container Rail Terminals (CRT) & PVT. Sidings, Projects within India, Multi-modal logistics park at Jharsuguda, Facilities in MMLP- PARADIP, CONCOR’s role as ICD/CFS Operator for Exporter etc. He also deliberated on the services provided at terminals for ease of export business, developmental strategy and the challenges in multi-modal logistics services.
Shri. Dibbanjan Roy, IRTS, Chief Freight Transportation Manager, East Coast Railways outlined a detailed presentation on India’s Import & Export Logistics Cost, Logistics cost in different modes, Export Commodities carried by rail (Bulk & Non – Bulk Commodities), Export Traffic carried by Railways to Ports etc. He also highlighted the way forward for MSMEs Containerization/Parcel, Gati Shakti and Business Development Units (BDU).
Mr. Ramakant Sahu, Chief Manager – Business Development, Paradip Port Authority during his presentation, summarised the export potential of Odisha. He highlighted the Ports in Odisha, Gateway to South-East Asia, Mineral hub of India, Odisha’s Cargo volume in Indian Ports, Odisha’s Maritime Board etc. He further spoke about Odisha’s exports at a glance, exports through ports in Odisha, Growth Opportunity 2030 : Commodity wise Cargo potential in Odisha & West Bengal Cluster. In addition to that, he spoke about the Comprehensive action plan for port connectivity on Gati Shakti NMP, key highlights of Paradip Port, Paradip Port Vision 2047 and few key updates of the port.
Mr. Dilip Sahoo, OAS, Director, Directorate of Export Promotion & Marketing, Government of Odisha accentuated Odisha’s export potential in various sectors, investment possibilities, value chain management, facilitation of infrastructural assistance by the state government, incentives, supportive measures etc which shall assist the MSMEs to grow.
Earlier in the session, Mr. Rajen Padhi, Honorary Convenor, International Trade Promotion Think Tank & Commercial Director, B One Business House delivered the welcome address and spoke on the nuances of exports and outlined several factors of international trade like insurance, trade facilitation agencies and so on. He also highlighted the role of World Trade Center Bhubaneswar as an EFC (Export Facilitation Cell) to the state and various activities to be undertaken under the cell.
Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar spoke on the way forward to conduct more such initiatives to further facilitate export related bottlenecks faced by the MSMEs and proposed the vote of thanks.
It was further agreed upon to organize a trade show with the leading shipping lines as the next step forward.
The session was followed by a highly interactive and insightful Q&A Session.
The session was held on Friday, 21st April, 2023 at IDCO Conference Hall, 5th Floor, IDCO Towers, Bhubaneswar.