MUMBAI: The Principal Chief Commissioner of Custom Zone-1, Mr. P K Agarwal, held a physical CCFC meeting for the month of August, with the Trade and Export-Import Industry recently.
He welcomed the members present and was pleased to see the large participation by the Export-Import industry.
Mr. P K Agarwal, was pleased to inform that house, that despite the prevailing Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Global uncertainties, Mumbai Customs Zone-1, has achieved its target and would surpass the same due to the strong support of the Export-Import Industry, which he thanked.
The Principal Chief Commissioner, was very pleased to note, that there was not a single grievance that had been sent as an agenda point to be discussed and resolved, which conveyed a feeling of great satisfaction to the department.
Mr. C K Jain, the newly appointed Commissioner of Customs Incharge of Imports and Exports was introduced to the members present.
A point of the difficulty faced by Bulk Liquid importers were discussed, even though it was not related to Zone-1, but was grave and being faced at Customs Zone-2, JN Custom in JN Port.
The possibility of increasing trade in Mumbai Port was discussed. As of today the Port handles basically Liquid Bulk and steel cargo, which needed to be augmented to bring back the glory of Mumbai Customs and Mumbai Port which would be celebrating its
150th Anniversary next year.
The Trade was of the unanimous thought, that Mumbai Port by not commissioning its Off Shore Container Terminal which was to be commissioned in 2010 was a great dampener for trade. Sadly a Container Terminal, which was built and to be commissioned in 2010,
is now being utilised for movement of vehicle exports.
This is a gross waste of public funds and misuse of the Container Terminal itself, besides denying the Export-Import industry of infrastructure that could handle a minimum of a 2 million TEUs annually.
Mr. P K Agarwal, informed the house that he was a member of Mumbai Port Board, and has had many discussions with the Chairman Mumbai Port Mr. Rajiv Jalota, IAS, on the said topic and was hopeful of a solution in the immediate near future.
Mr. P K Agarwal also requested the Trade representatives to address the matter with the Ministry of Shipping and the Hon. Minister of Shipping.
The meeting ended with a strong positive message, that the Mumbai Customs, Zone-1 will ensure all imports and exports would be processed by the Customs Department within 24 hours. The trade is free to meet with the Commissioner of Custom or call on the Principal Chief Commissioner, if any difficulty is faced, and need not wait only for the CCFC meeting.
The Industry thanked the Chairman and all his Officers. The meeting ended with a group photograph.
