Agreement on terminal tariff hike

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 20. The threat of a possible disruption of exports through the international airport here following a dispute over hike in terminal charges was averted following an agreement reached between the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) and the representatives of the Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters' Association (APPEXA) on Monday.

As per the agreement, the revised terminal charge for export commodities has been fixed at 24 paise per kg, representing a nominal increase over the existing rate of 18 paise per kg.

The KSIE officials shelved their original proposal to effect from mid-August a 90 per cent hike in terminal charge following stiff opposition to the move from exporters.

An estimated 45 tonnes of fruits, vegetables and other perishable commodities are air-lifted every day primarily to Gulf destinations. This is peak season for exporters as Gulf Malayalis brace up to celebrate Onam, which this year falls on a Friday, the national holiday for Arab nations.

Among those who participated in the deliberations were the KSIE officials, Mr. Varghese Mathew and Mr. R.R. Nair, and Mr. G. Kumaran Nair and Mr. Dil Koshy, representatives of the APPEXA.

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