Hector Patel, Executive Director of Jeena, a freight forwarding and supply chain solutions company, speaks to CargoInsights on his views on the recently held FFFAI convention and the role of technology in taking the industry forward.
FFFAI is re-shaping the freight forwarding industry. “It is always difficult to reach a common consensus on anything, and attempting that on a larger scale is even more difficult,” he said. What our industry needs is a synergised effort across various associations to find some common ground of understanding and direction. I believe FFFAI truly brings this spirit together in practise, keeps us relevant to the changes and gives us a platform to contribute to the re-shaping of our industry.
Patel feels the problems faced by freight forwarders and CHAs are taken care of with the involvement of government bodies in such events. The connection between the apex bodies is vital if one needs to see the correct implementation of policies and, at times, even the realignment of policies to the ever changing business scenario. From a perspective of speed, efficiency, and most importantly, for me, accountability, technology, and digitalisation are the way forward. We are still in the nascent stages and the possibilities are immense.
From a perspective of speed, efficiency, and most importantly, for me, accountability, technology, and digitalisation are the way forward.
Hector Patel
The start is good and well intended, with the advancement and acceptance of technology on a daily basis. “It is also equally important for us to debate and realise that we will need to keep our work force relevant as, unlike the other revolutions (industrial, AGRI, etc), where the workforce was able to adapt and train , digitalisation will be different. “It will need to be participative as per our work environment,” he stresses, if technology is to become the backbone of the freight forwarding industry.
We are now all connected to the aspirations of our youth and protecting our environment. Digitalisation is one of the key changes that will get us there.
