Member Executive Body Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi has expressed concern over 12 percent increase in freight charges by Asian shipping companies for shipment of goods to Europe, America and other Western countries.
In a press release issued here on Thursday, Zia Sarhadi, who is also Chairman of Standing Committee of SCCI on Dry Port, termed the increase unjustified as a result of which shipment charges of 20 feet container from Pakistan to European countries has been increased by 150 dollars and 40 feet container by 300 dollars.
He said the exporters of Pakistan were already facing difficulties in competing with India and China after imposition of import duty on Pakistani product by European Union. In the prevailing circumstances, he continued, increase in shipment freight would affect country's export.
He requested the concerned government departments to take up the issue with shipping companies so that the decision about raise in shipment charges is rescinded.-PR