FICCI sees exploding traffic in major seaports by 2012-13

New Delhi: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has urged the Government to make an investment of Rs. 1 lakh crore in the development of ports by 2012-13 to achieve 12 per cent growth in the manufacturing sector.


FICCI has estimated that both exports and imports were growing by more than 20 per cent every year and considering the likely impact of various free trade agreements that the country may have in the near future, the traffic could reach 1,174 million tonnes by 2012-13 at major ports.


The chamber has said in its representation to National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council.


The chamber has also suggested accelerating the implementation of National Maritime Development Programme to meet the target of such a massive investment in ports. To compensate for demand-supply mismatch, the chamber suggested the need for effective usage of under-utilised capacity at some major and new minor ports.