DPIIT holds 9th Services Improvement Group Meeting to review EXIM Logistics and highlight strides in infrastructure and innovation

Bulk filing of shipping bills streamlined to ease EXIM logistics

Wider adoption of E-Logs platform empowers SIG to improve logistics performance

The 9^th Services Improvement Group (SIG) meeting, focusing on issues related to EXIM logistics and infrastructure, was held on 31^st January 2024 under the chairpersonship of Ms. Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary, Logistics Division, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The 9^th SIG meeting witnessed the showcasing of various initiatives undertaken by the Ministries to facilitate EXIM-related issues faced by the industry. The Department of Revenue shared information related to the integration of a new system to facilitate bulk filing of shipping bills, a move expected to streamline processes significantly. The highlight of the meeting was the recognition and success of the Electronic Logs (E-Logs) platform, a pivotal tool to empower the SIG in swiftly addressing and resolving challenges faced by stakeholders in the logistics sector.

Key features of the E-Logs platform include real-time issue tracking, secure data sharing, and streamlined communication channels, resulting in significant reductions in the time taken to resolve logistical challenges for businesses and trade. This has led to enhanced operational efficiency and an overall improvement in logistics performance.

One of the significant achievements of SIG Interventions is the resolution of a long pending staff-related issue at Air Freight Station. In this context, Department of Revenue apprised the SIG Members that deployment of custom staff at the Air Freight Station, Kapashera is resolved through swift actions undertaken by the Department with support from Logistics Division, DPIIT.

Industry associations also acknowledged that the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has invited comments on the B-2-B draft policy, showcasing a collaborative approach between the government and industry stakeholders.

Representation from e-commerce giant Amazon shared that notification of the Joint Parcel Policy has tremendously benefitted the e-commerce industry and parcel freight movement on railways is also expected to benefit the industry further.

Addressing concerns related to transportation of rubber products from the North-Eastern region, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways shared ongoing initiatives, including awarding of dredging contract for waterway routes connecting Tripura and Kolkata port. Usage of alternative routes such as the Sonamura Inland Waterway Terminal, Sabroom land port, and the India-Bangladesh Protocol Route were also flagged. Additionally, efforts to facilitate 24x7 operations, including night navigation systems by the Inland Waterways Authority of India, were discussed.

The meeting brought together a diverse group of over 40 participants, including officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Railways; and 9 industry representatives including Federation of Freight Forwarders' Associations in India (FFFAI), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), and Container Shipping Lines Association (CSLA), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Warehousing Association of India (WAI) amongst others.

At the forefront of the National Logistics Policy (NLP), the Service Improvement Group (SIG) serves as an inter-ministerial institutional mechanism, engaging with over 30 business associations in the logistics sector.

The 9th SIG meeting stands as a testament to the outcomes of collaborative efforts between the government and industry associations to drive innovation, streamline processes, and foster growth in the EXIM logistics sector.