The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) is proud to announce the inauguration of the first batch on 17^th Sep 2024 at its Skill Development Center in Dronagiri, Maharashtra, under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0. The event was graced by Shri D. S. Garbyal, Commissioner of Customs (Nhava Sheva-I), and Dr. Minakshi Vijayant Gupta, Principal, Uran Education Society’s College of Management and Technology, Uran, Raigad.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by eminent dignitaries including Mr. Shankar Shinde, Immediate Past Chairman of FFFAI, Mr. Dushyant Mulani, Chairman of FFFAI and President of BCBA, Dr. Pramod Sant, Director General of FFFAI, and key members of the BCBA managing committee. Also in attendance were Mr. Tej Contractor, President of the Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders (IIFF), and Dr. Nirav Thakker, Hon. Secretary of IIFF.

In his welcome address, Dr. Pramod Sant highlighted FFFAI’s initiative in the logistics sector and the critical role of skilling in shaping India’s future workforce. He underscored how the skilling of youth in the logistics domain will contribute significantly to the country’s economic goals.

Chief Guest Shri D. S. Garbyal emphasized the importance of skilling in logistics, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of empowering youth to contribute to India’s aim of becoming a $5 trillion economy. He lauded FFFAI’s commitment to providing job-oriented programs to help the nation’s youth become more capable and employable.

Dr. Minakshi Vijayant Gupta expressed her gratitude for being part of the event and reinforced the significance of skilling in today’s competitive job market. She commended FFFAI for its initiative and showed interest in future collaborations aimed at enhancing education and skilling opportunities.

Mr. Shankar Shinde remarked on the significance of the event coinciding with the Prime Minister’s birthday, calling it a fitting occasion to launch FFFAI’s first batch of skilled logistics professionals. He highlighted the growing demand for skilled individuals in the logistics sector and praised FFFAI’s role in addressing this need.

Mr. Dushyant Mulani, Chairman of FFFAI, extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries and guests. He spoke about the vast opportunities in logistics, particularly with upcoming government initiatives like the Vadhvan Port, poised to be one of the world’s largest ports. He emphasized that projects like these create a pressing need for skilled professionals, making FFFAI’s training programs critical for the nation’s growth.

Dr. Nirav Thakker, Hon. Secretary of IIFF, highlighted IIFF’s role as FFFAI’s educational arm, providing advanced training in shipping and logistic training in logistics.

Mr. Tej Contractor, President of IIFF, underscored the role of logistics in the global economy, emphasizing its critical role in both traditional and digital markets. He congratulated FFFAI on this significant milestone and praised its leadership in logistics skilling.

The event marks a significant step towards building a skilled workforce in the logistics sector, aligning with India’s broader economic vision. All dignitaries extended their congratulations to FFFAI for its ongoing efforts to bridge the skills gap in logistics and create a brighter future for India’s youth.

Earlier Mr Ganpati Korde introduced Shri D. S. Garbyal, Commissioner of Customs (Nhava Sheva-I) to highlight his illustrious career.The gracious programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr Sanjiv Harale (BCBA).