Trichy to Get Trade Facilitation Centre to Boost Exports, Customs Chief Announces
In a significant move to enhance export facilitation, a Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) will be established in Trichy to assist exporters with customs procedures and regulatory guidance. This announcement was made by Bharat Prakash, commissioner of customs for the Trichy customs preventive zone, during a Trade Outreach Programme held in Tirupur on Thursday.
Event Highlights Tirupur's Export Prowess
The programme was organised by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) in association with the Trichy customs commissionerate and was presided over by AEPC chairman A Sakthivel. In his address, Bharat Prakash underscored Tirupur's crucial role in India's export economy, noting that nearly 70% of the country's knitwear exports originate from the Tirupur cluster. He emphasised that global trade is undergoing significant transformations, with new trade agreements creating fresh opportunities for exporters.
Customs officials assured continued support through faster clearances and simplified procedures, aiming to streamline operations for businesses. They briefed exporters on key schemes such as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), Manufacture and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations (MOOWR), and Self-Sealing Procedure (SSP), detailing their benefits for enhancing trade efficiency.
Grievance Redressal and Export Challenges
Niranjan, inspector of customs, provided an update on grievance resolution, stating that 510 complaints had been received on the Thunaivan portal, with 435 resolved so far. This effort has facilitated refunds of approximately Rs 1.61 crore to exporters, demonstrating a commitment to addressing operational hurdles.
An interaction session was held to discuss concerns stemming from the ongoing West Asia crisis. Apparel exporters raised expectations for customs authorities to issue suitable instructions to cargo terminal operators, seeking waivers on demurrage charges for export consignments that could not be lifted due to flight disruptions, airspace restrictions, and related operational constraints arising from international developments.
This initiative reflects a proactive approach by customs to adapt to global trade dynamics and support India's export sector amidst evolving challenges.
