New Delhi, Dec 19: The National Logistics Summit 3.0, themed “Driving Export Growth: Green, Smart & Sustainable Logistics for a Competitive India,” spotlighted transformative government reforms and industry strides to slash logistics costs, boost efficiency, and power economic growth. Organized amid India’s push for a single-digit logistics-to-GDP ratio, the event featured insights from top officials and leaders on labour modernization, market expansion, tech adoption, and sustainability.
Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Secretary (Labour & Employment), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India, underlined the new labour codes as a game-changer for a dynamic economy. The complexities and the outdated laws have been done away with and now being streamlined into four codes enacted in 2019-20 and activated from November 21, 2025. “These codes are now fit for purpose in terms of what the current nature of employment is and the significant economic growth India is witnessing,” Ms. Gurnani mentioned about the significant compliance cuts from 8 registrations to one, 31 returns to one, and 87 registers to 8. She emphasized on the balanced gains, including universal minimum wages, mandatory appointment letters, and enhanced social security for workers, alongside business-friendly shifts like inspector-led guidance and reduced criminal penalties, which will contribute significantly towards labour welfare.
Mr. Anil Syal, President, Safexpress Private Limited, discussed the optimistic 2025 logistics landscape, crediting the National Logistics Policy announced in 2022 for targeting single-digit GDP costs. He highlighted the major market growth from $120 billion a decade ago to $260 billion today, eyeing $350 billion soon, fuelled by formalization and tech like ULIP for shipment visibility and blockchain in e-Waybills. Mr. Syal stressed on integrating sustainability into business practices via EV adoption and global shifts around the world. “India has offered itself as a stable hub of resilient supply chain capabilities along with improving current account deficits.” he noted.
Mr. Samuel Praveen Kumar, Director (Marketing & Capacity Planning), Central Warehousing Corporation, underscored the importance of “TAG”: Technology, Automation & Innovation, and Green energy to make the Logistics sector more efficient and cost effective. Drawing parallels to UPI’s demonetization boost and COVID-driven vaccinations, he urged integrated Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for logistics, like CWC’s smart warehousing linked to Vahan and Sarthi. “Let us tag our logistics sector with green energy, clean energy, automation, innovation and technology ” Mr. Kumar advocated.
Mr. Sagar Kadu, Director (Logistics Division), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), affirmed progress under PM Gati Shakti, with a recent study estimating logistics costs at 7.9% of GDP- lower for big firms but higher for MSMEs. He outlined focus areas like city logistics plans for 20 cities, ULIP’s 44 integrations for MSME digitization, and maritime funds for shipbuilding. “For the government of India, our focus is towards supporting MSME, with the aid to bridge the gaps,” Mr. Kadu said, the government is working towards multimodal integration, as step towards formalising the informal sectors.
Mr. Naveen Seth, Deputy Secretary General, PHDCCI, emphasized that Reducing logistic costs, embracing digital and smart solutions and transitioning towards environmentally responsible supply chains are no longer choices, they are strategic imperatives for enhancing export competitiveness and achieving long-term growth.” logistics as a vital driver of trade and global leadership.
The summit underscored collaborative momentum toward 10 million new logistics jobs by 2027, aligning labour reforms with green, tech-driven supply chains for export-led growth.
The summit was supported by National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD) as Knowledge partner, Invest India and India Infrastructure Finance Co. Ltd. (IIFCL) along with Safexpress Pvt. Ltd. as Presenting partner, DCM Containers, JK Tyre & Industries and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) as an Associate Partners.
Some associations that extended the support to the summit are All India Transporter’s Welfare Association, Association Of Multimodal Transport Operators of India, Delhi Customs Brokers Association and Association of Warehouse Developers.