Kathmandu, May 4: A meeting between Nepal freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA) and Nepal Board of Airlines representatives in Nepal (BARN) has been concluded to solve various problems such as the inadequacies f physical infrastructure at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and the problems emanating from the airlines in the air freight of cargoes, this was stated in a press release in by NEFFA, today.
As some of the international airlines have increased the freight charges because of increase in the price of fuel in the international market currently has again incorporateed the increased price as service charges has resulted in the increase in the transportation cost of cargoes. This has created difficulty for the goods exported from Nepal in competing in international market, so says Rabindra Man Singh, President of NEFFA.
It should be noted that airlines such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Austrian Airlines have increased 10 per cent in fuel charge and Qatar Airways decreased 10 per cent in sur charge and, on the other hand, has increased 10 per cent in charge collect fee. NEFFA has objected it.
NEFFA President Singh opined that the airlines have negleted in giving service, which will certainly give negative impactin our international trade.
In this connection BARN President R>R> Upadhya has said that BARN has already requested the international airlines not to increase in fuel price because of thecharges in the price of fuel ininternational market. He further added that he will instruct the related airlines to come to an agreement in service charge.
On that occasion, Singh apprised that due to increase, the entire export has been affecteed because of the competition in the international market. He further added that Nepal has now become “air-locked” because the airlines have put low priority for experted goods, the airlines not becoming service oriented, the inability of the airlines to deliver the cargoes in the destination and failing to fulfill the demand of the freight forwarders for the compensation.
The meeting has to approch the concerned departments of His Majesty’s Government to solve the problems such as the frequent break down of the container trucks belonging to Nepal Transit Warehouse Management Company for transporting from the warehouse to the RAMP, and the irregular operation of the truck.
On the same occasion, the treasurer of BARN, Ashish kumar Sen gupta informed thar the weighing machine at the godown is not in workable condition since last three years. He has already informed His Majesty’s Government and has received assurances for repair. He warned that provided this problem is not solved soon, this may cargoes, NEFFA Secretary General Namgyal Lama has drawn the attention regarding the problem of the x-ray machine as well as the theft of the goods from the Ramp.
The joint meeting was attended by R.R. Upadhya, President, ice President Lawrence Lew, Treasurer Ashish Kumar Sen Gupta and Executive Member Rakesh Tuladhar from the side of BARN and from the side of NEFFA Rabindra Man Singh, President, vice President Dhruba Narayan Shrestha, Secretary General Mangyal Lama, Treasurer Sapan Kumar Dev and Executive Member Raju Shrestha.