[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
* Inks MoU for skill development
* Honours long-serving members
The Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI), the only Association of multimodal transport operators having pan-India presence, held its 17th Annual General Meeting on August 24, 2016 at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Colaba, in Mumbai. It saw the following members re-elected unopposed to the two vacant posts of the Managing Committee.
Mr Shantanu Bhadkamkar: ATC Global Logistics India Pvt. Ltd
Mr S. Varadarajan: Shreyas Relay Systems Ltd
The following office-bearers would continue to remain in their positions:
President: Mr Vivek Kele, Teamglobal Logistics Pvt. Ltd
Treasurer: Mr Nailesh Gandhi, Express Global Logistics Pvt. Ltd
Vice-President: Mr R. K. Rubin, Transcon Freight Systems Pvt. Ltd
Secretary: Mr Xerxes Master, Master Group of Companies
Also, PDP International Pvt. Ltd and Sanco Trans Ltd were enrolled as Gold Members of AMTOI.
Highlights of 2015-16
Mr Vivek Kele welcomed the packed house and shared with them the initiatives and achievements of AMTOI during the preceding year. The most significant achievement was the circular issued by CBEC clarifying that MTOs and freight forwarders acting in the capacity of principal while shipping the goods out of India are not liable to pay service tax on export ocean freight. Since 2011, AMTOI has been communicating with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Shipping and CBEC and has met several officials to explain the stance of the trade in this respect. A joint representation by AMTOI with ACAAI, CAI and BCHAA was made to the Ministry. The clarification circular issued by CBEC was a great relief and was a result of a lot of correspondence and meetings held with the Ministry of Finance, he stressed.
Mr Kele further informed that AMTOI has been pursuing the formation of the Confederation of Indian Logistics Association (CILA) in partnership with nine trade bodies, viz. AMTOI, CSLA, CAI, FFFAI, CFSAI, ACAAI, INSA, MANSA and IPPTA, which would be a common platform to address issues at the national level. In the last several years, the presentations made by these segments to the government on the common issues faced by the industry went largely unnoticed. Deliberations with industry leaders revealed the need of a larger platform to communicate the requirements of the industry in a single strong Common Voice. This led to the formation of CILA which is expected to be operational by the year end. It was decided by the founder associations that other initiatives like Skill Development and Cargo Community System would come under the ambit of CILA.
AMTOI has also been engaged in a dialogue with the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) to provide inputs for the promotion of coastal shipping. There is tremendous potential in coastal shipping and hinterland connectivity and the Prime Minister is keen to expand the horizon of this sector. In this context, AMTOI has floated a Model Coastal Document (Multimodal Transport Document) for the cargo that is being moved in Domestic Tariff Area using coastal shipping as one of the modes in multimodal transport. Mr Kele further said that the government of India has entered into an agreement with Bangladesh for crossborder trade. AMTOI was also asked by the MoS to suggest Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for carrying these goods, for incorporation in the agreement, which has already been done, he said.
AMTOI and INSA are working together in providing inputs to the MoS for the growth of Indo-Bangla crossborder trade and developing the Coastal Shipping Module for PCS (Port Community System), Mr Kele pointed out. AMTOI has been reaching out to its members with the latest news about the Association and the logistics sector through its weekly AMTOI Newsletter and the quarterly edition of AMTOI News. Mr Kele informed the members that it is proposed to celebrate the next AMTOI Day on February 3, 2017 and requested them to block their dates.
Talking about amending the MMTG, he said that several representations were made by AMTOI to amend the MMTG Act considering the changes in the shipping sector and the corresponding requirements of the trade. The suggestions given by AMTOI are being discussed with the office of DG Shipping and it is hoped that the amendment shall be passed in Parliament in the near future. Considering the vast potential that exists for the growth of multimodal transportation, AMTOI will be launching the Multimodal Transport Innovation Award which will be given for innovative ideas in popularising multimodal transport, he disclosed.
AMTOI has moved ahead in the field of skill development. An agreement was signed with Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping (NMIS) for sharing knowledge and developing modules for the skill development programme, which can be taken forward in training operational staff. There is also an agreement with Maersk Training Institute for training junior staff and executives of companies. This training programme was first started by the Chennai Chapter where 7 training sessions have been completed till date. Thereafter, it was introduced in Mumbai and till now 3 training programmes have been concluded. There is a plan to introduce skill training programmes in Delhi, Kolkata, Gandhidham, Vadodara, etc.
MoU for skill development
For further strengthening the skill development programme, an MoU was signed at the AGM with Praguna, a sister company of Think Link, Gurgaon, in the presence of the Managing Director of RTITB, a UK-based company partnering with Think Link in providing skill development standards and knowhow for the Indian logistics sector. The skill training would be in the area of material handling equipment. Mr Kele thanked the members, Managing Committee members, advisors and Extended Board members for their understanding, cooperation and support, which encouraged him to move forward and accomplish tasks.
It was earlier also pointed out that AMTOI has purchased its own office premises in BKC Annexe, Mumbai.
GST Presentation
Post AGM there was a presentation on GST by Ms Smita Bhandari of E&Y. It was a marathon interactive session, appreciated by one and all, that threw light on the complexities, challenges and benefits of GST for the trade in the long run.The AGM was compered by Mr Xerxes Master and the GST presentation by Mr Nailesh Gandhi. Both the events were well attended by the members of AMTOI, prominent members of the trade and the press, highlighted a release.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
