– It is hurting our competitiveness: Chairman AEPC
Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has requested the government (CBIC) to suspend the implementation of Circular No. 03/2023-Customs dated 07.02.2023 which allows transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo to third countries through Delhi Air Cargo complex.
Commenting on the issue Shri Sudhir Sekhri Chairman AEPC said, “The continuing Red Sea crisis has already increased logistical costs for the exporters and it has also led to shift of export shipments from sea to air mode. At this crucial time, allowing Bangladeshi export cargo from Delhi Air Cargo Terminal will further increase the logistical challenges and increase the transportation cost for apparel exporters.”
“Almost 20-30 loaded trucks come to Delhi everyday which slows down cargo smooth flow and this glut is being taken undue advantage of by the airlines. This has led to an excessive increase in air freight rates, delay in handling and processing of export cargo and severe congestion at the Cargo Terminal at the IGI Airport, Delhi; resulting in exports of Indian apparel exports through Delhi air cargo complex becoming uncompetitive,” Chairman AEPC Shri Sekhri added.
AEPC therefore, has written to the Chairman CBIC requesting suspension of implementation of vide Circular No. 03/2023-Customs dated 07.02.2023 which has allowed the transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo to third countries through Delhi air cargo complex also. Earlier, such transshipment of Bangladesh export cargo was allowed only through Kolkata Air Cargo complex in terms of Circular No. 29/2020-Customs dated 22.06.2020.
