India's national logistics policy set for release on September 17: Some key details

India's national logistics policy will be released by Prime Minister Modi on September 17. The policy was first announced in Budget 2020.

The aim of the new policy is to facilitate seamless movement of goods across the country, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said.

"On September 17, the prime minister is going to release the country's logistics policy," Goyal said while addressing the members of the Board of Trade.


The expected focus areas in the policy include process re-engineering, digitisation, multi-modal transport, etc.

According to experts, the move is significant because of the fact that high logistics cost bring down competitiveness of domestic goods in the international market.

The government has repeatedly emphasised on the need to bring down logistics cost in the country from the current levels of 13-14 per cent of GDP.

According to the govt, improving the sector will facilitate 10 per cent decrease in indirect logistics cost leading to a 5 to 8 per cent rise in exports.

This is a complex sector with more than 20 government agencies, 40 PGAs (Partner Government Agencies), 37 export promotion councils, 500 certifications, over 10,000 commodities, and $160 billion market size.

It also involves 200 shipping agencies, 36 logistics services, 129 ICDs (Inland Container Depots), 168 CFSs (Container Freight Stations), 50 IT ecosystems, banks and insurance agencies.

The worth of Indian logistics market is estimated at over $200 billion. The sector provides livelihood to more than 22 million people.