SAPL teams up with PLIL to develop rail logistics infra in Bangladesh

FE Team | Published: September 11, 2023 23:23:04

Summit Alliance Port Ltd (SAPL) has partnered with Pristine Logistics & Infraprojects Ltd (PLIL), one of the largest integrated Rail Terminal Operators in India, to develop rail-linked inland container depots (ICDs), container freight stations (CFS) and multi-modal logistics parks (MMLPs) in Bangladesh.
They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently to form a joint venture (JV) to this end, says a press release.
"SAPL has always been at the forefront of logistics infrastructure development in Bangladesh. By entering into 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," said Jowher Rizvi, Managing Director, SAPL.
"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," he added.
Amit Kumar, Director of PLIL, said, "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."
Through development of world-class rail-based cargo hubs, SAPL and PLIL seek to enhance 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 via rail and road.