Meeting with representatives of DP World Cochin with Board of Directors of Malabar Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Varghese Linto – Asst. Manager Commercial & Mr. Roymon Devasia – Commercial Executive attended.

The program began with silent invocation.

Sri. A. Shyam Sunder, President chaired the meeting. He welcomed the gathering. We had a meeting with Dr. Beena IAS., Chairperson, Cochin Port Trust who has requested the DP World Authorities to hear the problems of Exporters of Malabar by visiting Malabar Chamber. We understand that DP World is not charging for the transfer of goods from Cochin to Dubai.

Sri. Varghese Linto, Asst. Manager Commercial of D.P. World said that they have started domestic services also recently. They have acquired another similar company also. For entry to the yard, there is no need to call watch and ward. Instead all trucks are registered and gates will be opened automatically. Inside the yard, there is customs clearing unit and no one will have to wait for the clearance. There is no need to hire CFS agents. A truck entering into the yard can complete all formalities, unload or load and can go out within 27 minutes. Almost all the jobs are carried out by computers, number of containers, weight, cargo etc. are calculated by the computer and this unit work 24 hours a day. The customs clearing also work 24 hours,  365 days an year. Similarly customer care will also work like that. On enquiry, the status of a container with load can be tracked within no time. Apart from the Cochin Port,  DP World is also operating two ports in Mumbai, NSICT and NSIGT. Mundra Port is also operated by DP
World. From 2011 DP World has started services to the Far East also. Refrigerated containers are also available.

Exporters complained that the rates are comparatively higher compared to the Tuticorin Port etc.

The DP World is an SEZ and hence can exempt the taxes like GST which are to be paid by the Exporters. As per the Govt. norms, all business transactions pertaining to Exports are to be exempted from GST. But they are to pay GST on purchase, handling charges etc.  The GST rate is very high 18%.

Sudden strikes are harassing exporters very much. The goods will be in transit and hence may cause heavy losses to exporter.

M/s. Kairali Steels complained that they have incurred heavy losses as the DP World used ordinary scanners. The DP World authorities said that now only special scanners are used for scanning scrap iron. Mr. Pahlisha of Kairali Steels complained that they have incurred heavy losses as the DP World used ordinary scanners. Mr. Pahlisha of Kairali Steels said that they have reduced their import of scrap from 25000 tones to 4000 tones a year due to this heavy loss.

PTFC meetings are carried out regularly to solve the problems of the Exporters and Importers. It will be on 26^th on every month. It was requested to hold PTF meetings at Calicut, once in a quarter of an year,  so that it will easy for the exporters and importers of Malabar to present their difficulties. DP World Authorities invited all Director Baoard Members to visit the DP World. The monthly director board can be conducted at DP World if the Chamber is willing. All necessary arrangements will be done by the DP World.

The Bills can be in US Dollars also loading and unloading is very quick. From China ships come to Cochin within 13 days. But from Cochin to China it goes (via) Mumbai and hence it will take 23 days.

Lt Col K K Manu (Retd.) proposed the vote of thanks.