ADB-Funded SMILE Program to Enhance India's Logistics Efficiency

29 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Program aims to improve India's logistics infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency. It supports the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan by strengthening multimodal logistics, standardizing warehousing, and promoting digitalisation in trade logistics.

The program focuses on:

Developing multimodal logistics infrastructure at national, state, and city levels.
Standardizing warehousing and logistics assets to enhance supply chains and attract private investment.
Improving external trade logistics efficiency to boost India's global competitiveness.
Adopting smart systems for low-emission, sustainable logistics.

By addressing policy, infrastructure, and digital interventions, SMILE aims to improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index while creating job opportunities. It also includes gender inclusion initiatives, such as gender audits of land ports under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (2020-23) to ensure integrated check posts meet gender-responsive standards.

Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat, the program strengthens domestic manufacturing, enhances global trade integration, and fosters private investment and digital transformation—contributing to India's long-term economic resilience and positioning the country as a global manufacturing and supply chain hub.

This information was shared by Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

(PIB)

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