Kerala Exporters urge centre to reduce air freight rates

Kochi, Oct 19 (KNN) The All Kerala Exporters Association in a general body meeting held in Kochi urged the Union Commerce Ministry and Civil Aviation Ministry to initiate steps to reduce air freight charges.

“The high air freight charges and the 18 per cent GST imposed on exports have forced Indian exporters to hike commodity prices which, in turn, has affected competitive pricing of Indian products in international marker,” said a resolution passed in the meeting.

The exporters association further highlighted that due to high prices, Indian products are not able to compete with products from Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. This has led to a 40 – 45 per cent reduction in export volume of vegetables from Kerala compared to pre-Covid times.

“This has also resulted in steep decline in foreign exchange earnings of the country. The decline in export volume has affected farmers and farm labourers adversely,” it said.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations director M C Rajeev was amongst those who attended the meeting.  (KNN Bureau)