Trichy: Export consultants and industrialists have expressed disappointment over Trichy not being named in the 10 proposed export hubs as part of the state government’s export promotion plan laid out in the export promotion strategy. With Trichy international airport being the second leading cargo handler among airports in the state, next only to Chennai and 11th across India, they urged the government to include Trichy as one of the hubs.
According to Airport Authority of India (AAI) statistics, despite limited air connectivity in the past three months, Trichy has handled over 1,105 MT of freight whereas Coimbatore and Madurai airports have handled only 169 MT and 7MT respectively. Coimbatore and Madurai were among the 10 export hubs identified that would receive special incentives and focus to boost exports. Trichy is a frontrunner in exporting perishable and non-perishable commodities. “Till Pongal, the scope for textile products export to south-east Asia through Trichy airport will only increase,” K Harimoorthy, consultant, international cargo, said. Consultants said that even exporters from Hosur, Krishnagiri and Salem are utilising Trichy air connectivity with Malaysia and Singapore to export flowers and garments. Export through Trichy airport has constantly surpassed even that of comparatively bigger cities like Amritsar, Lucknow and Guwahati amid the pandemic.
With an increase in number of food and value addition MSMEs, there was also an increase in the export of locally prepared snacks to middle east countries. Industrialists said that entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector across delta districts could benefit if there was an export hub established in Trichy. “Food processing industry is booming, the entrepreneurs need guidance to export commodities to address the demand in countries that have Indian diaspora,” N Kanagasabapathy, chairman, Trichy trade centre said.
The Kallikudi market equipped with cold storage facility was suggested as an ideal location for the export hub to encourage farmers to increase the export of vegetables to Singapore. “We are preparing a district export promotion plan for Trichy, the government of India will oversee the progress, Cuddalore was the other district to be supervised. Perhaps, because of such a plan in progress, the hub status was not given,” an officials source with the MSME department said. The 10 hubs identified will see investment for a common facility and skill development centre.
Source:thetimesofindia.com