Tiruchi zone expected to achieve ₹5,200 crore Customs revenue

The Tiruchi Zone has crossed the Customs revenue target for this financial year. It is expected to achieve a total revenue of ₹5,200 crore, said Ranjan Kumar Routray, Chief Commissioner of Customs, preventive zone, Tiruchi, here on Friday.

At the inauguration of Cargo Connextions conclave, organised by Federation of Indian Export Organisations (Southern Region), he said adequate infrastructure and supportive people and the entire ecosystem had facilitated trade, and this should be sustained. Further, under the AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) programme, 96 AEOs had been registered as against the target of 100 for this year. This would also be achieved by the end of March. The zone realised ₹52 crore additional revenue through measures such as anti-smuggling.

The maritime sector would see more friendly and hassle free systems in the next few years for movement of goods. This had already started happening through online processes for filing bills, refunds, etc., he said.

N.J. Kumaresh, Commissioner - GST (audit), Coimbatore, said Coimbatore was one of the important zones supplying goods for exports. These go to Thoothukudi or Kochi ports. India had moved up in World Bank trading across borders index. The quality of services were important for maritime sector. So the stakeholders should work on human capital.

Raja M. Shanmugham, president of Tirupur Exporters’ Association, said the international brands were having more collections and more seasons and this required shorter transport time. “New varieties of garments come out often. So the industry needs facilities for swift movement of goods,” he said.

According to V.J. Mathew, Chairman of Kerala Maritime Board, the Board aims to develop 18 minor ports in Kerala. The Kerala Government plans to have inland water connectivity by 2020-2021. Development of the minor ports will also help in coastal transport. The Board also plans to facilitate these ports to receive more cargo and passengers.

Rafeeque Ahmed, former president of Federation of Indian Export Organisations, said the Southern States contribute to 29 % of the country’s GDP. The Southern India coast was served by six major ports. These ports handled 29 % of the country’s total cargo volume. There was potential to attract more cargo, which could lead to economic development of the hinterland.