STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) expressed concern over the additional cost of freight being borne by the industrial sector of J and K for the import of raw materials and export of finished goods in respect of trade with the overseas buyers.
In a meeting held here on Thursday, President BBIA, Lalit Mahajan said that due to non-availability of Inland Container Depot in Jammu and Kashmir, the importers and exporters have no option but to pay additional cost of transportation for the goods traded through nearest Dry Port Ludhiana resulting in non competitive nature of their products in comparison to the export oriented units located in the coastal areas.
The matter was brought number of times in to the knowledge of Central Government to provide assistance by reimbursing of additional cost till the establishment of the Inland Container Depot in the State but no action has been taken till date in this regard.
During the course of discussions, Mahajan informed the members present in the meeting that recently Haryana Government launched a Freight Assistance Scheme for Export Oriented Units under which the State Government will provide one per cent FOB Freight Subsidy to such units to make their products competitive in the international market.
BBIA requested Chief Minister, Mehabooba Mufti and Industries and Commerce Minister, Chander Parkash for the grant of freight subsidy from Ludhiana to the industrial units for the import/export of their products and also take up the matter with the Central Government for the establishment of Inland Container Depot with rail connectivity.
The meeting was attended by Varun Singla Vice President, Ajay Langer, General Secretary, Viraaj Malhota Secretary /Treasurer BBIA and other prominent industrialist.
