Port Blai(Sri Vijaya Puram): High logistics costs, cumbersome customs procedures and the absence of direct international freight links continue to constrain the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ export potential, even as the territory sits strategically close to Southeast Asian markets.
These issues came into focus at an export awareness workshop organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in association with the Andaman and Nicobar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ANCCI) here, with the ATA Carnet and UN TIR systems highlighted as tools to ease cross-border trade.
ANCCI President K. Chandrashekharan said the Islands must look beyond tourism and leverage their strategic location to emerge as a trade gateway between India and Southeast Asia. He underlined the potential of the blue economy, particularly deep-sea fishing and tuna exports.
FICCI Deputy Secretary General Sumit Gupta explained that simplified trade documentation can reduce customs delays and logistics costs for MSMEs. FICCI has been India’s national issuing and guaranteeing body for ATA Carnet for over three decades and for UN TIR since 2017.
ATA Carnet—described as a “passport for cargo”— enables temporary duty-free movement of commercial samples, exhibition material and professional equipment across participating countries.
Senior FICCI consultant and former CESTAT member P.S. Pruthi explained that the document can serve as a unified customs instrument and is valid for temporary movements across 81 countries.
For the Islands, the system could particularly benefit SHGs, handicraft producers, MSMEs, filmmakers, broadcasters, event organisers and adventure-tourism operators requiring temporary movement of equipment and samples overseas.
ANCCI General Secretary Madan Lall stressed, however, that such mechanisms would have greater impact only when backed by direct international air and sea freight connectivity with Southeast Asia. He urged local businesses to strengthen their documentation and export-readiness in anticipation of improved connectivity.
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The UN TIR system, meanwhile, was discussed as a mechanism to facilitate secure transit of goods through multiple countries while reducing repetitive customs procedures and associated delays.
The workshop also highlighted export opportunities in marine fisheries, tuna, coconut-based products, handicrafts and other island enterprises, pointing to the need for simpler trade channels to convert the Islands’ geographical advantage into greater participation in international markets.
