Godrej Conferred AILBIEA's Lifetime achievement Award
Nadir B. Godrej, MD of Godrej Industries Ltd., was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the All India Liquid Bulk Importers and Exporters Association (AILBIEA) during its 15th Anniversary celebration held on 1st April 2016 in Mumbai.
AILBIEA, whose members are responsible for most of the liquid bulk cargo that pass through various ports of India and which has hit a whopping volume of over 200 Million tons this year, made this rare gesture of conferring this momentous award on Mr Godrej for his monumental role in bringing up the country's liquid bulk business to its present status.
On the receipt of award Mr. Nadir Godrej said, “AILBIEA under the leadership of Jayyannt Lapsiaa, the President has played an excellent role in bringing together the trade, service providers and the government. It has been my pleasure to work hand in hand with AILBIEA to facilitate India’s global trade over the last twenty years. I am honoured to receive this award and I am sure that AILBIEA will continue to facilitate India’s global trade.”
The ceremony where top government officials along with the glitterati of the trade and commerce come in great numbers, has great significance as India is set to become a major Global importer of a wide variety of liquid bulk commodities such as biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel in the near future. This occasion served as a platform to project the urgent need to upgrade the country's ports infrastructure with state of the art technology. Changes in the infrastructure along with change in mindset of process owners is equally important, e.g., the customs department to change their drive into ‘Facilitation’ gear.
According to Mr. Jayyannt Lapsiaa, President, of AILBIEA, “Any country’s economic growth is intertwined with its infrastructure development. High transaction cost arising from inadequate and inefficient infrastructure, delays and hassles due to antiquated procedures and systems, is one of the major hurdles that our economy is unable to attain its full growth potential regardless of progress on other fronts. Port connectivity is still the soft underbelly of the port sector. Efficient infrastructure combined with quality and expeditious clearance procedures will help reduce costs and sharpen the competitive edge.”
Mr. Lapsiaa went on to add, “In addition, the association strongly believes in taking along other like-minded associations and trade bodies who pursue fostering of EXIM TRADE, so as to create a conducive and friendly environment for ensuring better results.” In addition to infrastructure development, the Association has identified 3 issues which require urgent remedial attention for the Liquid Bulk industry particularly imports and exports to match global scales and standards. It is time that Government at the Centre and State modifies its out-dated policies and procedures and gives the right encouragement to trade.
Ever since its inception, AILBIEA has striven to address various technical, legal, infrastructural, administrative and procedural issues of liquid bulk trade. The stakeholders include importers, exporters, clearing and forwarding agents, shipping agents, installation owners, Surveyors, Barge operators and intermediaries connected with liquid bulk trade. The primary objective of this association continues to be that of playing a significant role of ‘Catalyst’ between various Port Authorities, Governmental and Revenue Departments and provide more solidity and clarity in ensuring smooth and fair operations.
