Hands-on Training Creates Better Exporters: CICU Takes Trainees to ICD, PLIL Ludhiana for Live Exposure to Global Trade Operations

Ludhiana, July 21, 2026: In a significant step towards promoting practical export education and building globally competitive entrepreneurs, the Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) organized an educational visit to the Inland Container Depot (ICD), PLIL, Mandi Ahmedgarh, Ludhiana, for the participants of its 15th Batch of the Export Training Program. The initiative enabled aspiring exporters to witness live export operations and gain first-hand experience of the customs and logistics ecosystem that drives India's international trade.
The visit was led by Vinod Kumar, Export Trainer, who guided the participants through the complete export process—from factory dispatch to customs clearance and container loading. The participants observed container stuffing, customs examination, cargo handling, documentation procedures, sealing of export containers and dispatch of consignments, providing them with a practical understanding of the export supply chain. During the interactive session, participants also learned about the role of customs authorities, freight forwarding, logistics providers and port infrastructure in ensuring smooth and timely movement of export consignments. They were given practical insights into documentation, compliance requirements and the importance of avoiding procedural errors that often delay international shipments.
The industrial visit forms an important component of CICU's flagship Export Training Program, which equips entrepreneurs, MSMEs, professionals and students with comprehensive knowledge of India's Foreign Trade Policy, export-import documentation, customs procedures, export incentives, international logistics, payment mechanisms, trade finance, compliance requirements and strategies for entering global markets.
Speaking on the occasion, Upkar Singh Ahuja, President, CICU, said that practical exposure is essential for developing successful exporters. "Punjab has immense export potential, but our entrepreneurs need practical knowledge along with theoretical understanding. Industrial visits like these help participants understand the realities of international trade, making them more confident and better prepared to explore global markets. CICU will continue to create such learning opportunities so that our MSMEs can become globally competitive and contribute to India's export growth," he said.
CICU expressed its sincere gratitude to Varinder Kaur, Commissioner of Customs, Ludhiana, for extending valuable support in facilitating the visit and encouraging industry-academia collaboration for export promotion. The Chamber also thanked Neena Sood, Superintendent, ICD-PLIL, Mr. Arjun and Parbhat, Inspectors of Customs, for conducting an informative interaction and explaining the practical aspects of customs clearance, cargo examination and logistics management.
The participants described the visit as one of the most enriching sessions of the training programme. They appreciated the opportunity to interact directly with customs officials, observe live export procedures and understand the operational challenges involved in international trade. Many participants said the experience strengthened their confidence in handling export documentation, compliance and logistics while reducing the likelihood of costly procedural mistakes.
CICU has been consistently working to strengthen Punjab's export ecosystem by organizing industry-oriented training programmes, expert sessions, buyer-seller meets, international trade awareness initiatives and field visits. By integrating classroom learning with real-world exposure, the Chamber continues to develop skilled exporters capable of competing successfully in global markets and contributing to the growth of India's MSME sector.