Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Saturday, Nov 22, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Saturday, Nov 22, 2003 |
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Agri-Biz & Commodities
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Oilseeds & Edible Oil Soya processors' team to visit Pak Our Bureau
Chennai , Nov. 21 THE Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) will lead a delegation to Pakistan early next month in a bid to increase soyameal exports. "A 8 to 10-member delegation will visit Pakistan in the first week of next month. It will meet feed millers and Government authorities to impress upon them the need to buy our soyameal," Mr Rajesh Agrawal, Chairman, SOPA, told Business Line. In an effort to ensure smooth exports to Pakistan, SOPA has also urged the Centre to allow movement of rail wagons to the neighbouring country through the Wagah-Attari border. "So far, our Government has not made any commitment," Mr Agrawal said, when asked about the Centre's response. "But the visit is at the initiative of the Commerce Ministry," he said. Rail movement between India and Pakistan has been suspended for nearly 23 months now due to tensions, especially after attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. The Government is of the view that the terrorists who attacked Parliament were supported by Pakistan. Though relations between the two soured after the attack, things have begun to improve since the second half of this year. India and Pakistan have resumed bus operations across the border but no decision has yet been taken on reviving rail links, particularly the "Samjhota Express", and air links. "Rail link will help us to export more to Pakistan," Mr Agrawal said. Currently, soyameal is shipped to Pakistan in small consignments. "Sending consignments by ship is also a costly proposition, whereas by rail, it will be economically viable," he said. Last year, 30,000 tonnes of soyameal were sold to Pakistan. This year, an equal amount is expected to be sold. "We expect exports to Pakistan to rise above two lakh tonnes if our visit yields results. In fact, there is a potential demand of five lakh tonnes in Pakistan for our soyameal," Mr Agrawal said.
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