FAI-OMIFCO programme on “International Trade, Port Handling Operations and
Shipping Arrangements of Fertilisers and Fertiliser Raw Material/Intermediates”
The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), New Delhi, India, in collaboration with Oman India Fertiliser Company S.A.O.C. (OMIFCO), Sur, Sultanate of Oman, organized a five day programme on “International Trade, Port Handling Operations and Shipping Arrangements of Fertilisers and Fertiliser Raw Material/Intermediates” at hotel Al Falaj, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman during September 17-21, 2006. This was for the first time that such a programme was organized outside India by FAI. The programme was organized to provide a platform to the participants for interaction between the people from the fertilizer industry and the related industries in the two countries. The programme was attended by 31 participants (including seven participants from Sultanate of Oman) from the 19 organizations representing fertiliser manufacturers, importers, stevedoring and handling agencies and general insurance sector etc.
The programme started with the welcome address by Mr. R. C. Gupta, Dy. Director General, FAI followed by the inaugural address by Mr. S. K. Patra, Vice President (Mktg.), Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, New Delhi, Mr. Gupta gave a brief description about the FAI, its activities and contents of the programme. Mr. Gupta also explained the purpose and objectives of organizing this programme outside India.
Mr. Patra in his inaugural address mentioned about the programmes conducted by the FAI and also explained the relevance of the programme in the present context. The inaugural address was followed by the session on company presentations in which one participant from each company made a presentation about his company and also introduced his other colleagues.
M/s Inchcape Shipping Services hosted the reception dinner to the participants of the programme on the 17th September, 2006.
On the second day, a total of five papers were presented by the speakers. The first paper was jointly presented by Mr. R. C. Gupta and Mr. Hamad Mashrafi, External Relations Manager, OMIFCO, Sur, on ‘Global Fertilisers Scenario (demand/supply balance) and International Trade in respect of the Finished Products/ Raw Materials/Intermediates with reference to India and the Arab Countries. The second paper was presented by Mr. K. Parthasarathi, Shipping Manager, OMIFCO, Sur on ‘ A perspective on Ports in India and Oman vis –a- vis the Globe’. The third paper was jointly presented by Mr. M. C. Goel, Vice President (International Business), Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd, Hyderabad and Mr.T.K. Sengupta, General Manager (Fertilizers), MMTC, New Delhi, on ‘ Long Term Contract, Negotiations and Spot Purchases through Tenders- a detailed overview’. The fourth paper was presented by Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Dy. Manager, Tata Chemicals Ltd., NOIDA on ‘ Cargo Inspection (both pre-shipment and post-shipment). The fifth paper was jointly presented by Mr. S. K. Patra, and Mr. T. K. Sengupta on ‘ Shipping of Bulk Cargo, Chartering and Charter Party’.
On the third day, a visit to the OMIFCO plant at Sur, one of the most modern ammonia/urea plant, was organized to enable the participants to see the operations of the plant.
On the fourth day, a total four presentations were made. The first paper was presented by Mr. K. Mathew George, Sr. General Manager, Aspinwall & Co.,Cochin on ‘Load Port/Discharge Port Operations and Documentations’. The second paper was jointly presented by Mr. Subarata Mondel, Chief Manager and Mr. Rahul Sadhu, Manager, IFFCO –TOKIO, General Insurance Co. Ltd., Gurgaon on ‘Maritime Risks and Insurance Cover’. The third paper was presented by Mr. Manoj Priya, General Manager (Commercial), Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilisers Limited, Mumbai on ‘ Customs Valuation’. The last paper was presented by Mr. Saibal Mukherjee, Manager (Commercial), Tata Chemicals Limited, Kolkata, on ‘Dispute Resolution and Claims Settlement’.
In the concluding session, Mr. Jim Robb, General Manager, Inchcape Shipping Services, Sultanate of Oman, delivered the valedictory address and distributed the certificates to the participants of the programme. Mr. Parag Dass Saxena, Sr. Marketing Officer, proposed a vote of thanks.
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