Vijay Kalantri, an eminent business leader, is currently chairman and managing director of Dighi Port Limited (DPL). The Balaji
Infra Projects Limited-promoted Dighi port is Maharashtra’s first private sector port and port-based special economic zone. It commenced commercial operations in 2011. It handled 932 million tonnes (mt) of traffic during 2017-18 compared to 602 mt during 2013-14, registering a compound annual growth rate of 11.55 per cent. Reportedly, in end February 2019, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) won the bid for the development of the port. Further upgradation works at Dighi port will be undertaken by JNPT.
Kalantri is the pioneering spirit behind the Balaji Group of Industries, which owns businesses in the textiles, leasing finance and infrastructure development sectors. A first-generation entrepreneur, Kalantri has made remarkable contribution to industry and trade promotion, infrastructure development, development of the micro, small and medium enterprise sector, financial services, and globalisation of Indian business. His work with the central and state governments to promote trade and commerce is only matched by his contributions to leading international business organisations such as the World Trade Organization, International Labor Organization and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization-India Industries Council.
Kalantri is president of the All India Association of Industries, where he represents the cause of industries to the central and state governments and has worked tirelessly to recommend unique solutions. He is also president of the Indian Council of Foreign Trade and the Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, besides serving as vice chairman of the World Trade Centre (WTC), Mumbai, where he has worked to make WTC the country’s premier trade promotion body.
In addition, he is also a member of the Steel Consumers Council, the Advisory Board of Corporate Governance Committee of the Securities and Exchange Board of India and the Central Council of Customs and Excise.
Throughout his career, Kalantri has actively promoted social welfare and has won laurels from private institutions and government bodies alike. In 2005, the Polish government conferred on him the Commander Cross of the Order of Merit, its highest civilian award, while in 2014, Russia commended his outstanding work by conferring on him the Pushkin Award for promoting bilateral trade.