CII focus on logistics

Development of logistic solutions was key to India's economic growth, was the moot point in Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Logistics East.

B Muthuraman, chairman CII (eastern region) said, as logistics solutions develop rapidly in India, it was critical to view from the global point of view, follow the trends and develop solutions accordingly keeping domestic specifications in mind.

He said, logistics was hitherto restricted to distribution centres. "However over the years supply chain management has become far more comprehensive. it is now defined as the network that consists of customer, retailer, distributor, manufacturer and supplier, all of whom are closely linked through efficient flows of material, information and finance" he explained.

M Bhaskarachar, deputy chairman Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) said, the port was endeavouring to be no 2 in terms of volumes. The main drivers for growth would be overall growth of the economy and business coupled with better services.

KoPT was looking at pipping Kandla and becoming the second largest port in 2004-05. To achieve this end, the port was making adequate investment.

K Kumar, director Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, in his presentation, pointed out that while companies were looking at new geographies, logistics was low on their priority.

He explained, companies were expanding beyond their home base and thereby creating risk for themselves, but, supply chain priorities were very low.

Logistics, it maybe mentioned, was a major economic activity across the world. The global logistics industry was estimated at roughly over $2 trillion with less than five per cent outsourced worldwide.