Postal service is playing an important role in facilitating exporters. Scores of agro-based product samples were being dispatched to importing countries through posts by exporters on a regular basis.
Ahead of exporting agro products to overseas countries, pre-shipment samples were dispatched to buyers normally, to get their nod after ascertaining its quality. The number of samples air-shipped to countries abroad through Tuticorin Head Post office had increased in 2014-15, during which 744 samples were sent, whereas 531 samples were sent during 2013-14, sources told The Hinduhere on Friday.
Samples of agro products including senna in leaves and powder form, drumstick leaves, cassia leaves and gymnema leaves were being sent. Among these products, senna samples had been delivered, mostly to importing countries like Japan and China, through express mail service (EMS). EMS could be availed to send permitted articles to reach 98 foreign countries and also through ‘World Net’ to 202 countries abroad, sources added.
P.S.S. Raja Sankaralingam, Tuticorin-based Senna exporter and former chairman, Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council, said normally two or three samples – in 500 grams or one kilo pack – were being sent everyday to Japan. There is a soaring demand for Senna (Cassia angustifolia), also called as ‘Tinneveli Senna,’ a medicinal plant predominantly grown in parts of Tuticorin. Senna leaves and pods were used by the pharmaceutical industry in laxatives. But there is a delay in availing phytosanitary certificate, which is mandatory for sending samples, from Plant Quarantine department. “It takes a minimum of two days to get such certificate. Besides, facility to pick up samples directly from the exporter is lacking,” he said.
Such shortcomings should be fixed to ensure faster transit of samples in order to compete with private players, Mr. Sankaralingam said. Official sources said ‘pick-up facility’ was available only on business dealings at Rs.10,000 and beyond under ‘Book Now Pay Later’ option. Moreover, logistic support was inadequate. Parcels booked here were being airlifted from Madurai and Chennai. If air freight facility was available in Tuticorin, where airport is awaiting expansion, such shortcomings would not occur, sources added.
Source : The Hindu
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