Union Commerce Secretary says tea industry should benchmark itself
Union Commerce Secretary says tea industry should benchmark itself

Anup Wadhawan, Union Commerce Secretary, has said that industry should benchmark itself against best practices. The secretary made the statement so that the industry can compete in the international market against countries like Sri Lanka.

Anup said, "There are fundamental challenges on the production side as productivity was falling. The gardens are no more viable as they used to be. The industry needs to benchmark itself against the best practices to raise production and compete in the international market against countries like Sri Lanka."

Arun Kumar Ray, Deputy Chairman of Tea Board, said, "The consumption pattern was stagnating. There is a need to bring in growth in the market. We do have the funds and come to the rescue. The industry has to take the initiative."

He also said that the tea industry should explore new markets. The quality of tea would have to be improved for better price realisation.

Azam Monem, Chairman of ITA, said, "The government should increase the MEIS (merchandise exports incentive scheme) reward rate from five per cent to 11 per cent and increase orthodox subsidy from Rs three per kg to Rs 20 per kg."

 
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