ROTTERDAM : Indian and Rotterdam Port Authorities are working to digitalise port processes in India to speed up cargo evacuation and reduce ship turnaround times, Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal said during his visit to the Netherlands.
Goyal said Indian customs authorities and the Port of Rotterdam authorities were discussing ways to introduce digital systems in India to bring port operations in line with modern standards, improve cargo movement and reduce the time ships spend at ports.
The minister visited the Port of Rotterdam and met its CEO, Boudewijn Siemons, as part of the discussions.
Shri Goyal said India needed to expand its port capacity further despite having doubled it over the past decade. He added that the country expected port capacity to double twice over the next two decades, by 2047, to support economic growth and international trade.
The minister also said the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement would create substantial opportunities for businesses on both sides, adding to the potential for trade between India and Europe.
Digitalisation of port and customs processes could help India improve the movement of goods as international trade expands. Reducing cargo evacuation time and ship turnaround periods will be important alongside physical port expansion. The proposed cooperation with Rotterdam also comes as India seeks to strengthen trade links with European markets under the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The next step will be to determine how the digitalisation efforts will be implemented in India and how they will support the country’s port capacity expansion plans through 2047.
With the Agreement expected to create significant new opportunities for Indian exporters, the Netherlands’ world-class ports, logistics infrastructure and connectivity with European markets can play an important role in facilitating increased trade flows and strengthening India-Europe supply chains.
Addressing Indian community in Amsterdam, the minister said invited the professionals and academicians to tie with Indian institutes and mentor start-ups.
Talking about youth, he said youth in some parts of the world are getting swayed by negativity. “Sadly you see what’s happening in Europe, in many countries, ..that is the only reason I focused on youth…se problems sometimes come up in India also…Idea is that the youth have to be more responsive and responsible…your first loyalty has to be with the land that provides you work and feeds your family, ” he said.
Source : PTI
