Photo : Courtesy
Summit Alliance Port Limited (SAPL) and Pristine Logistics & Infraprojects Limited (PLIL), one of the largest integrated Rail Terminal Operators in India, recently have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a Joint Venture (JV) to develop Rail-Linked Inland Container Depots (ICDs), Container Freight Stations (CFS) and Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) at strategically important locations in Bangladesh.
“SAPL has always been at the forefront of logistics infrastructure development in Bangladesh. By entering in this MoU with Pristine, we have identified a well-accomplished technical partner to work with us to reach the next milestone in the county’s regional integrated rail logistics journey. The ongoing expansion of the country’s rail network in combination with the private sector’s development of strategically located rail-based cargo hubs will provide new, cost-efficient logistics options that will greatly benefit the importers of food commodities and industrial raw materials such as cotton and steel from India as well as the Bangladeshi exporters of RMG.” remarked Jowher Rizvi, Managing Director, SAPL.
“We are very excited with this alliance. We have been immersed in a continuous discussion with SAPL’s team and have been very impressed with their understanding of the challenges and opportunities of Indo-Bangladesh trade lane. We have been particularly drawn to the values of SAPL and we look forward to supporting the trade of Bangladesh and India with this initiative.” said Amit Kumar, Director, PLIL.
Through development of world-class rail-based cargo hubs, SAPL and PLIL seek to enhance the existing rail logistics infrastructure in Bangladesh and facilitate the landside needs of the exporters and importers by providing long-haul rail services from Indian locations to the border and interiors of Bangladesh. Furthermore, the JV when implemented would provide services such as warehousing, empty storage, container repair, palletisation, packaging, labelling, consolidation, import and export bonding followed by multi-modal transport options for first and last mile distribution and connectivity to the gateway ports both via rail and road.
TDM/FMT
