Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) launched its Goa Chapter under the chairmanship of Thakur Purushottam, Business Head – GMR Goa Air Cargo, on 21^st June 2024 at Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI). Ahmad Raza Khan, Partner, Samuel Dias & Co., Vice Chairman of ACFI Goa Chapter was also present at the launch. Swetika Sachan IAS, Secretary Industries, Govt. of Goa was the Chief Guest of the event. The event was also graced by Abhishek Pravimal, IAS, MD, GIDC, Dr. Pravin Khullar, President, GPMA and Manguirish Pai Raikar, Chairman, Goa State Council of ASSOCHAM.

Other key dignitaries present at the event included: Yashpal Sharma – ACFI President and Managing Director, Skyways Group; Sanjiv Edward, ACFI Vice President and CEO – Cargo & Logistics, GMR Group; Satish Lakkaraju, Chairman, ACFI Event Management Task Pillar and Global Head – Air Freight & Pharma- WIZ Freight; Cyrus Katgara, ACFI Past President and Partner– Jeena & Co.; Ramesh Mamidala – ACFI Secretary and Head Cargo – Air India Limited; Prasad Gengussetti, ACFI Governing Board Member and COO – GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo; Manoj Singh, ACFI Governing Board Member and Chief Cargo Officer, Adani Airport Holdings; Keku Bomi Gazder, ACFI Governing Board Member and MD & CEO – Aviapro Logistic Services Pvt Ltd., Kamesh Peri, ACFI Governing Board Member and CEO at Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd.; Satyajit Bhattacharjee, Member ACFI Goa Chapter and Business Development Manager Cargo & Commercial -GMR Goa Air Cargo, along with K.S. Kunwar, Director General – ACFI.

 

The event witnessed participation from 140 delegates from across Air Cargo & Aviation industry, key ACFI members and senior leaders from Customs, Goa Chamber of Commerce, Goa CHA Association, ASSOCHAM, GCCI, GPMA, and FFFAI, etc.

The Goa Chapter is poised to achieve success under the leadership of Thakur Purushottam who brings with him rich experience of 2 decades in the Air Cargo & Aviation vertical. The entire ACFI Governing Board is of the view that he will be a valuable member of the association as he has versatile sectoral knowledge in Cargo Handling, Operations, Business Development, Project Management, Documentation and more.

Over the coming weeks, the ACFI Governing Board and ACFI Secretariat will select the Goa Chapter Board members with the goal of boosting air cargo trade in the region. This initiative will focus on advocating regulatory changes with authorities, upskilling our industry colleagues, organizing curated events, as well as workshops, and driving collaboration with fellow trade bodies to advance the Air Cargo Logistics sector both in Goa and nationally. The primary aim of the Goa Chapter is to align with the ACFI Head Office and work towards common goals, promoting the air cargo industry to achieve standards comparable to the best global air cargo ecosystems.

The newly elected Chairman, Thakur, stated, “As Chairman of the Goa Chapter, I am dedicated to closely collaborating with every single vertical under the ACFI umbrella. This collaboration will ensure the successful implementation of our regional initiatives, fully supported by our ACFI President and esteemed members. My vision is to build strong connections between the ACFI Goa Chapter and key players in the Air Cargo and Supply Chain sector in Goa and adjoining region. I firmly believe that managing the complexities of supply chain management and distribution networks effectively in this evolving landscape calls for building a strategic roadmap for air cargo logistics. I assure that the entire Goa Chapter will strive towards bolstering development initiatives to boost trade not only within this chapter but across the country.”

“ACFI is dedicated to building a world-class air cargo ecosystem in India that adheres to the highest international standards. I am convinced that India’s air cargo infrastructure has the potential to be a global benchmark, admired for its scale, efficiency, and speed, even by the most advanced economies. Our Goa Chapter, in particular, will be crucial in achieving this vision. Overall, the establishment of Goa as the ninth ACFI regional Chapter is a landmark achievement as it solidifies the strides that we are making for the advancement of Air Cargo. It exemplifies our commitment to advancing the air cargo logistics industry and underscores our proactive approach to supporting the nation’s trade and economic growth. I am confident that this chapter, along with GOX International Airport will add substantial value to the shippers in the catchment area, paving the way for a more integrated, efficient, and dynamic air cargo logistics landscape in India,’’ said Yashpal Sharma – ACFI President.