INTERACTION MEETING WITH AIREA
A high-level meeting was held today at Bharat Mandapam with key stakeholders including APEDA, BEDF, DGFT, and ECGC to address the critical challenges facing the rice export sector.
Key discussions and decisions held:
Financial & Credit Relief: We are pushing for 100% ECGC cover and requesting the RBI to extend Packing Credit (PCM) from 180 to 270 days to safeguard MSMEs against contract cancellations.
Shipping & Surcharges: To tackle massive $4,000–$5,000 War Risk and Emergency surcharges, a dedicated Point of Contact (POC) via DG Shipping is being established to escalate carrier disputes.
ICD & CONCOR Operations: In response to 30-day cargo delays, we have requested a 30% discount on reefer plugging and a 5% reduction in rail freight to offset heavy detention charges ($40–$80/day).
Policy & Timelines: We are seeking a 40-day waiver for war charges on March shipments and urgent clarity on the March 31st RoDTEP deadline.
Strategic Action: The session concluded with a proposal to activate a "Crisis Monitor Group" to synchronize government policies and ensure Indian Rice remains globally competitive.
Action Item for Members: Please send formal emails to your respective ICDs regarding specific cargo movements to ensure point-specific resolution.
