Fourth Logistics Working Group Meeting Held Under the India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership

1. Outline of the meeting

Mr. Chiyo Koichi, Deputy Director-General for Trade Policy, Trade Policy Bureau, METI, and the logistics delegation of the Government of India to Japan* led by Dr. S.K. Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Logistics Division, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry held the Fourth Logistics Working Group Meeting under the India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership by METI and DPIIT on October 17, 2022. 40 participants including Japanese officials from METI, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India participated in the meeting.

*The Indian delegation is comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Central Warehousing Corporation, and Container Corporation of India, Ltd.

Mr. Chiyo and Dr. Ahirwar held discussions on strengthening India's industrial competitiveness through improving logistics in India. Participants from Japan conducted knowledge sharing on the Japan’s Physical Distribution Policy, the Physical Internet Roadmap, and policy responses to the issue of container shortages. They also shared views on the current situation of cooperation on logistics between Japan and India. In addition, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India and other Japanese private sector based in India expressed their expectation of addressing the issues of logistics.
The delegation of the Government of India explained their efforts to strengthen logistics and infrastructure under the national infrastructure plan of India (known as PM Gati Shakti) as well as the National Logistics Policy announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi. They also explained investment opportunities for Japanese companies. Both sides confirmed their intention to strengthen cooperation in the field of logistics.

Reference

• MLIT website: Physical Distribution Policy (in Japanese)
• METI press release: Physical Internet Roadmap (Overview) (March 8, 2022) (in Japanese)
• Physical Internet Roadmap (full text) (in Japanese)(PDF:5,244KB)

2. India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership

IJICP is the secretary/vice-minister level framework launched in December 2019 by Mr. Kajiyama, former Minister of METI and H.E. Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry. Under this framework, working groups for specific industries and areas have been established, and discussions and initiatives for enhancement of India’s industrial competitiveness have been implemented.

Reference

• METI Press Release: METI Minister Kajiyama Visits India (December 10, 2019)

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Division in Charge

Southwest Asia Office, Trade Policy Bureau