Ahmedabad : After successfully organizing five Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit, Government of Gujarat has organized the sixth edition on 11-13 January, 2013. As a run up to this Summit, various conferences are being organized  to  identify  opportunities  in  different  sectors.

In order to tap the huge potential of port sector due to strategic location and astute planning, Gujarat Maritime Board along with Confederation of Indian Industry organized a “Conference on Port & Shipping : Challenges and way forward” on 2nd July 2012 at Hotel Pride, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad from 0930 hrs. The themes of discussion were:

(i)            Challenges in Port Sector

(ii)           Challenges in Shipping Sector

(iii)          Panel Discussion on Risk and Remedies for the Port & Shipping Sector.

 

The Conference brought together leading experts from industry, Government, academics and institutional worlds, who offered their insights on the challenges faced by the industry, as well as strategies to overcome these challenges. Through the active participation from various stakeholders, it was also discussed to explore opportunities for private sector participation in creating the needed infrastructure to overcome these issues.

Hon’ble Minister of State for Industries & Mines, Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, GoG Shri Saurabhbhai Patel Inaugurated the Conference as the Chief Guest. Shri A.K. Joti, IAS, Chief Secretary, GoG & Chairman, GMB was the Guest of honour in the Inaugural session. Shri I.P. Gautam, IAS,  Principal Secretary, Ports & Transport Department, and Shri L. Radhakrishnan, IAS, Chairman, JNPT were present in the Inaugural Session.  Hon’ble Minister of State Shri Saurabhbhai Patel & Shri A K Joti, Chief Secretary addressed the audience on achievements of Gujarat in port sector, future development plans and potential investment opportunities in Gujarat Port Sector.

The Conference witnessed participation of senior corporate leaders, policy makers and opinion makers were present.  Speakers representing various areas, including international speakers, of port companies, consultancy agencies and other leading organization shared their views on various topics on Port and Shipping like current challenges of Ship Building and Ship Repairing, Ro-Ro Ferry Service, Carbon Credit, Port Cities, Port Financing, IT Solutions and Risk and Remedies for the port sector. More than 300 senior delegates from various Ports & Shipping, Shipbuilding, Logistics Companies and other renowned companies participated in the Conference. In addition one to one meetings, panel discussion and Question and Answer sessions were also held during the event.

The conference was a great success and fruitful event which had provided a networking opportunity to policy makers and investors for their business and in the overall development of Gujarat port sector.

Gujarat Maritime Board conveyed sincere thanks to all the speakers, stakeholders, delegates and supporters for making the Conference a grand success.