Reduce customs duty on ships coming to Alang: Gujarat Minister

Vadodara, Jan 19 (PTI) The Gujarat Government hasrequested the Centre to reduce the customs duty on the shipscoming at Alang for dismantlement.

Alang town in Bhavnagar district houses the world''slargest ship-breaking yard.

The request was made to Union Finance Minister PranabMukherjee in Delhi today, Gujarat Minister of State forFinance Saurabh Patel PTI tonight.

"While participating in a pre-Budget meeting, Iapprised him (Mukherjee) that Pakistan, Bangladesh and Chinahave entered ship-breaking business as it generates largeemployment. China does not charge any customs duty where asBangladesh and Pakistan levy nominal customs duty on shipscoming for dismantlement," he said.

The Centre charges 5 per cent customs duty, which isvery high and results in diversion of traffic to neighbouringcountries, he said.

The Government should reduce the duty to helprejuvenate this business and increase employment andrelated activities, Patel said.