CCTT and FFFAI jointly organised the ‘India-And-World’ Business Forum in Mumbai, focusing on enhancing international partnerships.
The International Coordinating Council on Trans-Eurasian Transportation (CCTT) and the Federation of Freight Forwarding Associations of India (FFFAI) convened the inaugural ‘India-And-World’ Business Forum from April 24 to 25, 2024, in Mumbai. The event marks a significant collaboration between the two organisations, following FFFAI’s inclusion into CCTT during the XXXII Plenary Meeting in Moscow in 2023, with Shankar Shinde appointed as Vice Chairman of CCTT.
CCTT, a non-commercial transport association, boasts 96 member societies from 23 countries, including leading industry players and governmental bodies from Europe, Asia, and the CIS states. The primary objective of the ‘India-And-World’ Business Forum was to foster partnerships and promote the logistical services of CCTT member companies in the global transport market, with a particular focus on advancing the North-South International Transport Corridor.
The forum commenced with a warm welcome from Dushyant Mulani, Chairman of FFFAI, and Shankar Shinde, Vice Chairman of CCTT and IP Chairman of FFFAI, along with other esteemed dignitaries. Sudip Dey, Honorary Secretary of FFFAI, extended a vote of thanks, setting the tone for insightful discussions and collaborations.
Distinguished speakers, including Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, emphasised India’s remarkable economic growth trajectory and its increasing role in the global economy. Jagannathan highlighted India’s ascent as the fifth-largest economy worldwide, attributing it to market-oriented policies and enhanced global competitiveness.
Dushyant Mulani underscored the longstanding partnership between India and Russia, advocating for strengthened bilateral trade ties. He emphasised the significance of initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in enhancing trade opportunities and called for greater engagement from logistics stakeholders.
Shankar Shinde elaborated on the forum’s importance in promoting international transport corridors, particularly the North-South and East-West routes. He discussed FFFAI’s initiatives to bolster the INSTC route and highlighted the strategic significance of Chabahar Port in Iran, emphasising India’s accession to the TIR Convention.
The event witnessed engaging sessions on optimising logistics processes, successful intermodal container services, and promising infrastructure projects, reinforcing the commitment of CCTT and FFFAI to facilitate Trans-Eurasian Transportation. Discussions also revolved around enhancing trade connectivity and attracting investments for regional development.
With a focus on India’s pivotal role in the global economy, the forum brought together representatives from governmental bodies, industry associations, and financial institutions to explore avenues for collaboration and growth. The event concluded on a promising note, laying the groundwork for future engagements and partnerships aimed at driving sustainable development and economic prosperity.
