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.