World’s leading Logistics Conference, FIATA World Congress (FWC), which is being hosted by FFFAI (Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India) for the first time in India from September 26-29, 2018 at Pullman Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi, will be inaugurated by Mr Nitin Gadkari, Shipping & Road Transport Minister, Government of India. Apart from a galaxy of eminent logistics industry practitioners and experts, former Indian Cricket Team Captain Mr Saurav Ganguly, will also speak at FWC-2018. He will speak at Indian Forum to highlight various factors and aspects of India’s growth story.
The Inauguration function of FWC-2018 will be held on 26th September 2018 at 9:00 am at Pullman Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi. Among other esteemed speakers to address on this occasion would be Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of World Customs Organization; Mr. Babar Badat, President, FIATA and Mr. A. V. VIjayakumar, Chairman, FFFAI.
FFFAI, which is an Apex body and the sole representative of 28 Member Associations from all over India, representing 6500 Customs Brokers, is the member of the International Freight Forwarders Association i.e. FIATA. This mega event takes place every year across the world and is the greatest platform in the field of Logistics and Freight Forwarding Industry. In FWC-2018 more than 1000 Customs Brokers; Freight Forwarders and allied industries are participating from 100 plus countries to explore Logistics business opportunities in India as well as other parts of the world.
In FIATA World Congress 2018 major industry stakeholders would be from Shipping Lines, Airlines, Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders, Ports, Airports, ICDs, CFSs, Terminal Operators, Technology Service providers, etc. In addition, Participating Government Agencies and different Ministries of Government of India would also take active part in various sessions in this event.
Providing a latest update Mr Debashis Dutta, Chairman, FWC-2018 Organising Committee and past Chairman, FFFAI informed that about 800 delegates from various Countries from across the world have already confirmed their participation. “We are expecting the number would cross 1000 and this is really encouraging for us in successfully organizing the Congress,” he maintained.
Commenting on the Government support in organizing this prestigious event Mr Dutta shared, “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of India for their tremendous support. We have received full cooperation and wholehearted support from various Departments of the Government of India, viz Ministry of Shipping, Finance, Tourism, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Civil Aviation, MSME Commerce, rtc.
Speakers from Government of India include Ms. Vandana Aggarwal, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Mr. Sanjiv Garg, Additional Member (Tourism & Catering) Railway Board and others. “We have 24 sessions in our Congress with more than 40 eminent Speakers from renowned Industry leaders, as well,” added Mr Dutta. The session speakers from the Industry include Mr. Karan Adani, CEO, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ); Mr. Samir Chaturvedi, CEO, KIZAD, Abu Dhabi Ports; Mr. Sebastian Saez, Lead Economist, World Bank Group; Mr. Ankur Huria, Senior Trade Logistics and Facilitation Specialist, World Bank Group; Mr. Alejandro Gamboa-Alder, Senior Trade Specialist, World Trade Organization; Ms. Andrea Gruber, Head, Special Cargo International Air Transport Association (IATA); Mr. Ashwin Bhat, Head-Cargo, Swiss International Air Lines Ltd; Ms. Kirsten De Bruijn, Vice President, Cargo Pricing and Interline, Revenue Optimisation, Emirates Sky Cargo; Mr. Devdutt Patanaik, famous Indian author and mythologist & others.
“FIATA World Congress 2018 in India will draw huge attention of participants from across the world. It would provide tremendous business and networking opportunities where the delegates would interact with their counterpart. One of the major attractions of this event is the One-to-One B2B meetings,” added Mr Dutta. Meanwhile, a large number of delegates have started registering themselves for the B2B session to meet up with Foreign Customs Brokers; Freight Forwarders and others from different countries.
Session for Start Ups:
FWC 2018 has separate session for the young logistics professionals i.e. the “Young Logistics Programme”. According to Mr Dutta, this session would be beneficial for the start ups. Moreover, for the Young participants, FWC 2018 has arranged an interesting and attractive game titled “Business on the Move” where the participants will find the newest way of learning the Logistics Business by playing a game.
