Austria-based Cargo-Partner AG, one of Europe’s privately owned global logistics company with activities in eastern and central Europe, has launched its wholly-owned Indian subsidiary, Cargo Partner Logistics India Pvt Ltd (CPLI).

Headquartered in Kolkata, CPLI has opened nine branches in different locations in the country, employing 60 professionals.

"We have plans to open five more branches and recruit another 80-90 people and hope to post a turnover of Rs 100 crore in 2007-08," Aloke Sinha, managing director of CPLI, said.

Stefan Krauter, chairman of Cargo- Partner AG, conceded that the logistics scene in India was witnessing intense competition but that would be no cause of concern to CPLI.

While India holds out opportunities, poor port development and not-so-satisfactory inland infrastructure, in his opinion, continue to cause concern. The high rate of taxation also acts as a disincentive. He said, however, that the Indian government was aware of these issues.