Question : CARGO SHIPMENTS

(

(a) whether cargo shipments were hit by massive flight cancellations and much more stringent security checks during the current fiscal; (

(b) if so, whether the heightened uncertainty further slowed down freight movement and depressed the exports of high-value products like gems and jewellery, textiles and apparels and carpets among others; (

(c) if so, whether exports between April and August, 2001 was much lower, as a result; and (

(d) if so, the steps taken / proposed to be taken to improve the situation?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY )

(a) to (c) : The exports from India was Rs.8013107.23 lacs during April - August 2001 and Rs. 7816888.10 lacs during the same period in 2000, registering an increase of 2.5%.

(d) : Central Government evolves plans and policies on a continuous basis to provide quality and adequate infrastructure support to country`s exports including air transportation. AAI have extended the business hours for import and export from 0800 hrs to 2200 hrs on all working days and from 1000 hrs till 1700 hrs on Sundays and holidays, synchronized with effect from 24-9-2001 to boost exports.