Flexport CEO Critiques India's Business Bureaucracy Amid GST Praise

Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, has openly criticized India's business environment, claiming that excessive bureaucracy and paperwork hinder operations for foreign companies. His comments came in response to Prime Minister Modi's praise of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a significant reform. Petersen's assertion that he faces more paperwork in India than in all other countries combined has sparked a debate about the regulatory challenges foreign firms encounter in India. Flexport, a global logistics leader, operates in over 89 countries, emphasizing the need for streamlined processes. As of now, Indian authorities have not responded to these claims.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 3, 2025, 14:03 IST

Flexport's CEO Challenges India's Business Practices

In a recent statement, Ryan Petersen, the CEO of Flexport, criticized the business landscape in India, claiming that excessive bureaucracy and paperwork hinder the ease of conducting business, contradicting the government's assertions of improvement.

On July 1, Petersen reacted to a tweet from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a significant reform that simplifies compliance for small and medium enterprises.

Petersen countered this perspective on X, stating, "I have to file more useless paperwork for our entity in India than all our other countries combined."

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This remark has ignited discussions regarding India's regulatory environment, particularly for foreign firms facing intricate compliance challenges.

Flexport, based in the United States, operates in more than 89 nations, with offices located in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen, focusing on digital logistics and supply chain solutions.

As of now, there has been no official comment from Indian officials regarding Petersen's claims.