Bhubaneswar: Odisha is steadily emerging as a major logistics and maritime hub of eastern India, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati said at the 6th Executive Committee Meeting of the Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) in Puri Friday.
At the meeting, hosted by the Odisha Customs Brokers’ Association (OCBA), the Governor said India’s logistics sector is not merely about the trans portation of goods, but about “connecting aspirations, empowering businesses, creating employment and strengthening national prosperity”.
Congratulating FFFAI for its contribution to the nation’s trade and logistics ecosystem, he said the organisation has emerged as the apex body representing customs brokers and freight forwarders across the country and now supports thousands of professionals and enterprises facilitating international trade.
“The role of freight forwarders and customs brokers often remains behind the scenes, yet it is central to nation-building. They are the silent enablers of commerce,” he said, adding that their expertise in customs compliance, logistics management, multimodal transportation and trade facilitation keeps the wheels of the economy moving smoothly.
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At a time when India aspires to become a five-trillion-dollar economy and a global manufacturing hub, organisations like FFFAI have an increasingly important role to play, he noted. Referring to challenges facing global trade, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, rising freight costs and uncertainty in shipping routes, the Governor called for resilience, innovation and coordinated action by government and industry.
He highlighted several initiatives of the Centre, including the National Logistics Policy, PM Gati Shakti, digital customs processes and alternative trade corridors, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing logistics costs.
The Governor also said Odisha is steadily emerging as a major logistics and maritime hub of eastern India, backed by its long coastline, ports, expanding connectivity and industrial growth.
Appealing for sustainable practices, he urged stakeholders to follow the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on “economic self-defence” aimed at strengthening the nation’s economic security.
