Budget 2025: Strengthening Logistics to Achieve India’s Trade and Economic Ambitions

As the Government of India prepares to unveil Budget 2025, industry leaders are calling for strategic investments in the logistics sector to support India’s trade ambitions, enhance economic efficiency, and empower small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). With an export target of $2 trillion by 2030, achieving the objectives outlined in the National Logistics Policy (NLP) will require bold policy measures, infrastructure expansion, and regulatory simplifications that foster a seamless trade ecosystem.

Gregory Goba Ble, Head of UPS India and Director of MOVIN Express, underscored the significance of logistics modernisation in realising India’s economic potential. “Investments in the logistics sector can support India’s trade goals, enhance economic efficiency, and encourage MSMEs to scale up,” he said, highlighting the need for budgetary allocations that prioritise efficiency and global integration.

A critical year 

The National Logistics Policy (NLP), launched in 2022, aims to reduce logistics costs from 13–14% of GDP to a global benchmark of 8%, streamlining trade and supply chains. However, achieving this goal requires sustained investment inmultimodal transport corridors, digital freight systems, and last-mile connectivity in emerging industrial zones.

Ble pointed out that simplifying export compliance procedures and reducing regulatory costs will be essential for logistics players to operate efficiently and remain competitive.
“To further strengthen India’s position in global markets, achieve the objective of the National Logistics Policy, and reach the export target of $2 trillion by 2030, the thrust should be to simplify export compliance procedures and reduce regulatory costs for logistics players,” he noted.

A more efficient regulatory framework, coupled with greater budgetary allocation for trade infrastructure, would enable seamless cross-border movement of goods while attrac…