Historically, ports have played a key role in the growth of cities and expansion of business - especially export and import. Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta and Kochi have developed into important commercial centers of the country because they are essentially port-based and have benefited immensely from export / import activity.

Over the years, the country's foreign trade has grown in volume. Economic and trade liberalisation policies of the government have accelerated the pace of trade activity. With that, the complexities of business too have increased. Interpretation of related laws, procedural formalities, high cost infrastructure and ever-expanding demand for facilities and services have combined to make Exim trade a really challenging area of economic activity.

Indeed, in recent years, there has been unmistakable deterioration in the cargo clearance procedures and facilities for storage, movement etc. leading to avoidable cost-addition, especially for those operating from Mumbai. Inadequacies in the services / facilities / procedures of the Municipal Corporation, Ports, Customs and other governmental departments coupled with high rates of Octroi duties, Stamp duties etc. has resulted in migration of liquid bulk importers and exporters out of Mumbai to more business-friendly regions of the country.

To meet the felt need for collective effort to address the multi-dimensional issues of bulk trade in liquid cargoes, All India Liquid Bulk Importers and Exporters Association - AILBIEA was formed with the active assembly of several stake-holders - corporates, trading houses, service providers and others concerned. These entities handle petroleum products, edible oils, chemicals, industrial oils, etc.

AILBIEA is the result of consolidation of individual efforts. It has successfully established a platform to address various technical, legal, infrastructural, administrative and procedural issues of Liquid Bulk Trade. The stakeholders include importers, exporters, clearing and forwarding agents, shipping agents, installation owners, barge operators and intermediaries connected with liquid bulk trade.

Launched on September 30, 2000 in Mumbai, at the hands of Mr. A. B. Godrej, one of India's best-known industrialists and chairman, Godrej Group of Companies, the inaugural function was graced by luminaries and senior officials from Customs Commissionerates, Port Trusts, Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation, other government bodies and a large number of corporate heads.