MUMBAI, INDIA - World Trade Centre (WTC) Mumbai organized its 4th in series World Trade Day Maharashtra in Nagpur on May 25, 2017 in association with Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) in Nagpur. Professor Arvind N. Khedkar, International Marketing Expert and Faculty at World Trade Centre Institute of International Trade, Mumbai who conducted the session on ‘International Trade & logistics’ said, “Logistics is the value generating cost, leading to profit generation through customer satisfaction and repetitive sales. In international business small things makes perfection but perfection is not a small thing. Professor Khedkar enlightened the participants about the importance of logistics and supply chain management and how to make it a success with interesting examples. He also explained about the agencies involved in export shipments, advantages and disadvantages of ‘dock stuffing’ with special case studies.

Mr. Atul Pande, President, VIA said that VIA had organized various programmes in the past with WTC Mumbai, as part of the MOU which was signed between both organizations. The programmes on ‘Green Entrepreneurship- Challenges & Opportunities,’ and the delegation visit to Nagpur as a part of the ‘Global Economic Summit’, were very successful. He welcomed the session on ‘International Trade and Logistics’ which he said provided the much needed insight on the subject as Nagpur is gearing up to be the logistic hub of India and that logistics has a vital role to play under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.

Dr. Prakash Khemka, Proprietor, Bharat Shipping Agency, Nagpur informed about the facilities available with customs and said that Indian regulatory scenario in indirect taxation had undergone considerable changes. The focus is now on ease of doing business and the recent measures have been geared towards self assessment, single window clearance, authorized economic operator, Direct Port Delivery/ Direct Port Entry (DPD/ DPE), advance submission and timely, duty payment. Mr. Abhishek Dilip Jha, Director of Glocal Logistics Private Limited guided participants by giving them tips in international trade and logistics.

Mr. A. O. Kuruvilla, Advisor-Trade and Education, WTC Mumbai informed about the activities of WTC Mumbai and elaborated on the objective of the World Trade Day (WTD) Maharashtra which is a pioneering initiative in India to promote the Export Competitiveness of the State. A series of programmes on international trade across regions in the State of Maharashtra were organized in key cities namely, Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Kolhapur which started from May 18 which would continue until May 27, 2017. 

During the event, WTC Mumbai honored achievers in International Trade for their outstanding performance. The companies who were honored include ASA Agrotech Pvt Ltd, Suruchi Spices Pvt Ltd, Web Beta IT Solution, Flying Penguins and Vidarbha Industries Association. 

Mr. Gaurav Sarda, Chairman of VIA EXIM Forum thanked WTC Mumbai for the visionary move to begin celebration of World Trade Day across Maharashtra.

In Photo: Mr. Atul Pande delivering the opening remarks. Seated from (L-R): Dr. Sona Kumar, Professor Arvind Khedkar, Mr. Gaurav Sarda and Mr. A. O. Kuruvila.