Kolkata port to ready growth plans by January

Kolkata, Dec 17 (UNI) The Shipping Ministry has asked all the 12 major ports to file their business development plans in tune with global shipping trends by January 2007.

The Indian Ports Association (IPA), the apex body of all ports under the ministry, would formulate the overall business policy and has appointed an apex consultant.

Kolkata Port sources that the business plan, a part of the national maritime policy, would be framed with a 20-year perspective but the action plan would be chalked for seven years.

IPA consultant T Balakrishnan said, ''The ministry has roped in Rotterdam port as the advising consultant and coordinator for the plan. The 12 major ports have appointed their own consultants through the global tender route.'' Kolkata Port Trust, which runs the port systems of Kolkata and Haldia, has appointed Royal Haskoning with Crisil to prepare the report. Mumbai, Kandla and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust have appointed KPMG as their consultant, Kochi, Paradeep and Tuticorin have given Transcare the job. Vizag and New Mangalore have appointed Rotterdam Port and Ennore has appointed Hamburg.

IPA sources said the interim reports received have already been forwarded to the Ministry. Although each port would have its own line of business development initiatives suiting its condition, a broad business development plan would evolve from each consultant's study.

India would have to lower the transaction costs particularly for exports which have been going up.

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