Bilateral trade via Attari takes a hit

Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 27

The bilateral trade between India and Pakistan via Attari land route has witnessed a decline over the past few days. The reasons are many.

While the import of cement has declined due to low demand in the Indian market, the export of perishable items has dipped as Pakistan has witnessed a good crop this season.

Exporter Rajdeep Uppal admitted the export of perishables was quite low as compared to the corresponding period last year. “This is primarily because the neighbouring country has witnessed a good crop this time, whether it is potatoes or tomatoes,” he said. According to him, the export of perishables was more during the previous years as the crop in Pakistan had suffered due to natural calamities.

All-India Cement Importers Association chief MPS Chatha said the import of cement was down as its demand in the domestic market had dipped drastically, which usually happened ahead of Holi every year. He also attributed the decline in imports to the delay in installation of full-truck body scanners at the Attari integrated check post (ICP). He claimed the traders ended up paying more demurrage as it took a lot of time in checking the consignment in the absence of these scanners.

Leading clearing agent Jaspal Singh said the season was lean in terms of both imports and exports.

On the other hand, the authorities at the ICP confirmed that the exports had gone down, but they said the imports were “normal”.