- National competitiveness is increasingly shaped by modern, digitally enabled and multimodal logistics systems, with ports, air freight and emerging trade corridors serving as strategic tools for economic growth.
- Interoperability, regulatory harmonization and customs digitalization have become essential to remove trade bottlenecks, enable smoother cross-border flows and support resilient global supply chains.
- Strengthening local logistics capabilities through skills, technology and coordinated industrial action is crucial for countries aiming to effectively integrate into evolving global trade networks.
Strategic alignment of trade, logistics and cross-border connectivity has become a determinant of national competitiveness. As global supply chains adapt to changing geopolitical dynamics, emerging trade corridors, and emerging regulatory pressures, countries are forced to modernize the systems that support the movement of goods. The discussion is no longer limited to infrastructure investment; It now focuses on interoperability, policy coordination, and the resilience of logistics networks while enabling economic expansion. A clear message is emerging across industry and public institutions: economic ambition increasingly depends on the efficiency of the country’s logistics infrastructure and its integration into global transport and trade systems.
Ports as strategic levers for economic growth
Gaurav Dayal, IAS and Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, highlighted the growing importance of ports as strategic economic instruments rather than administrative gateways. He stressed that “future-ready ports and unified national logistics infrastructure” are essential to maintaining competitiveness in the long term. His perspective reflects a global shift in port strategy from expanding physical capabilities to building digitally enabled multimodal environments. Technology-driven port operations, including automated cargo handling and integrated connectivity to remote areas, will determine whether countries are able to compete with leading maritime centres, Dayal said.
New corridors and multimodal integration emerge
The geography of global trade is being reshaped as supply chains diversify and regional alliances strengthen. Mukesh Oza, Group Chairman and CEO, Samsara Group, drew attention to the emerging corridors linking Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. According to Oza, “New trade corridors and multimodal efficiency are redefining global competitiveness.” These shifts are causing companies to reconsider their sourcing and transportation planning strategies. Logistics systems must now be flexible enough to accommodate rapid modal shifts, optimize route options, and support distributed production models. Oza’s assessment is consistent with the broader industry view that resilient supply chains rely on rapid intermodal integration – an approach in which air freight, sea freight, road and rail operate as interconnected elements of a unified ecosystem.
Air freight as a catalyst for high-speed trade
Air freight has assumed a high structural role in global trade. Tarik Parlak, senior vice president of cargo sales at Turkish Airlines Cargo, described the company as “a driving force behind time-critical global supply chains and trade.” He stressed that air freight now supports essential sectors such as medicines, perishable materials, electronics and cross-border e-commerce. He said this development requires stronger integration between airports and cargo, enhanced digital infrastructure, and greater interoperability across airline networks. For transport policymakers and trade authorities, the implications are significant: the speed and predictability of air freight has become fundamental to export strategies and the competitiveness of the global supply chain.
Global standards and policy harmonization
As logistics networks become more interconnected, inconsistency in organization and documentation continues to hamper the smooth flow of trade. Turgut Erkeskin, immediate past president of the International Air Transport Association (FIATA), stressed the urgent need for coordination, noting that “policy harmonization is essential for smoother international trade.” Divergent customs procedures and fragmented regulations create operational bottlenecks and undermine supply chain efficiency. Erkeskin called for internationally harmonized standards and stronger cooperation between governments and multilateral trade bodies – reflecting the industry’s growing demand for predictability in policy environments amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Modernizing customs and facilitating digital trade
Customs operations remain a critical factor in determining the speed of trade. Shankar Shinde, President of the International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations (IFCBA), stressed that “digitizing customs and simplifying cross-border processes” is essential to reduce delays and support compliance. He pointed to global trends such as online advertising, automated risk assessments, and single window systems. Shinde noted that customs modernization must evolve alongside industry digitalization to maintain efficient trade flows and reduce transaction costs for exporters and importers.
Strengthening local logistics capabilities
Developing local capabilities has become a strategic priority for countries seeking deeper integration into global trade networks. Amit Kamat, President, FFFAI, stressed that “building capabilities and strengthening India’s logistics ecosystem” is vital to enable exporters to meet rising expectations regarding reliability, transparency and speed. He highlighted the importance of skills development, technology adoption and institutional collaboration to prepare logistics stakeholders for a more data-driven and compliance-driven business environment.
Coordination and teamwork at the sector level
Industrial cooperation is increasingly recognized as an essential counterpart to policy reform. Collaboration between associations and industry stakeholders drives sustainable progress,” said Dushyant Mulani, Immediate Past President, FFFAI. He stressed that coordinated action across the logistics value chain is required to set standards, promote best practices and support the sector’s long-term resilience. His statements reflect a broader recognition that fragmented approaches hinder comprehensive improvement.
Towards a flexible and competitive business future
Together, these perspectives provide a comprehensive blueprint for enhancing global economic competitiveness through modern logistics and integrated trade connectivity. As supply chains diversify and regulatory expectations intensify, countries must invest in multimodal infrastructure, digital systems, skills development, and cross-border policy coherence. A recurring theme throughout the discussion is that logistics capacity is no longer an adjunct to economic strategy; It is increasingly the foundation on which global ambition is built. For policymakers, carriers, freight forwarders and trade authorities, the challenge is to translate these imperatives into implementable reforms capable of withstanding geopolitical uncertainty and supporting long-term growth. In an era of changing trade routes, accelerating digital transformation, and intensifying competition, the strength of a country’s logistics ecosystem is emerging as a critical measure of its economic resilience and ability to effectively participate in the next phase of global trade.
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