On December 2, 2023, the Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) celebrated its 62nd Foundation Day in a unique hybrid format, combining physical and virtual participation. The event took place at the FFFAI Office in Chembur, Mumbai.
The 62nd Foundation Day of FFFAI unfolded with virtual participation from FFFAI member Associations across India. The synchronised cake-cutting ceremony on the virtual platform symbolised joy, unity and shared commitment to the growth of FFFAI. Notably, the meeting saw the attendance of Anupam Prakash, Joint Secretary (Customs), CBIC on the virtual platform.
The celebration’s highlight was an insightful and motivational address from Anupam Prakash, who felicitated FFFAI and acknowledged its invaluable contribution to CBIC decisions. He emphasised CBIC’s recent initiatives to ease doing business, including Faceless Assessment, Single Window Clearance, Direct Port Delivery, AEO Scheme, CBLMS Portal launch, and the introduction of ECL on ICEGATE.
Additionally, Prakash shared that CBIC is planning necessary changes in Faceless Assessment procedures based on discussions at the recent NAC (National Assessment Centre) meeting.
The event was also addressed by the FFFAI Chairman Dushyant Mulani, Chairman-Elect Amit Kamat, Immediate Past Chairman Shankar Shinde, Hon. Secretary Sudip Dey, Hon. Treasurer Sudhir Agarwal, and Advisors AV Vijayakumar, S. Ramakrishna, and R. Radhakrishnan.
In his concluding remarks Dushyant Mulani, Chairman of FFFAI lauded the initiatives of CBIC in facilitating the trade and extending required support to the trade, especially to FFFAI. He stressed the equal importance and good balance between compliance and trade facilitation. The FFFAI Chairman also shared that the Federation is working on a presentation to highlight the pain points and recommendations which will be submitted to CBIC shortly. On this gracious occasion, he congratulated all the FFFAI members and appreciated their active participation in the Federation’s activities to reach a new high.
