On Friday, 7th September 2018, ACHAM India oganized a site visit and tour of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) followed by an interactive discussion with senior officials of JNPT. The site visit commenced with a briefing on the history, functions and project ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Port SEZ’ by Mr. RR Gaikwad, DM-PPD. The participants then proceeded from the SEZ site to the model room of JNPT’s administrative building where a 3D model showcased JNPT’s capability and operations. An insightful presentation highlighted the benefits of the state-of-the-art port.

This was followed by a roundtable meeting with senior officials of JNPT SEZ led by Mr. S. Sittarasu, CEO, JNPT. The meeting commenced with Mr. Sittarasu welcoming the AMCHAM delegation and thereafter addresses were made by Ms. Jennifer Larson, Deputy Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate General Mumbai, and Ms. Surabhi Wahal, Regional Director – Western Region, AMCHAM India respectively. A presentation on JNPT SEZ highlighted the role of the port in the Make In India initiative and Ministry of Shipping’s Sagarmala Project. The participants were then taken on an exciting and informative tour of the port site.

 Following the port visit, the AMCHAM delegation met with Mr. Vivek Johri, IRS, Chief Commissioner Custom, and senior members of the Customs Department at the JNPT Customs House. The roundtable meeting commenced with opening remarks by Ms. Surabhi Wahal and Ms. Jennifer Larson. Mr. Johri highlighted initiatives and schemes of the department in facilitating companies across services highlighting on release time, single-window clearance, and the AEO process. In the candid discussion that followed, members shared success stories, queries, issues and challenges. Mr. Johri and his team promptly responded to the issues and invited AMCHAM member companies present to send in their inputs to support a study group initiative started by the Customs Department.

 The meeting and events of the day concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Surabhi Wahal who thanked Mr. Johri for the wonderful opportunity of interaction extended to AMCHAM and stated that the meeting and the site visit to JNPT was truly a reflection of ease of doing business.