KOCHI: The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the new government to extend the five per cent tax waiver given to rubber trade to the next two financial years. The tax concession ended in March 2016. Felicitating the Left Democratic Front for its victory in the elections, Chamber president C.S. Kartha said the plantation sector, especially rubber growers, is passing through trying times and needed the support of the government.
“The finance and the revenue ministries needed to provide adequate funds to support and develop the plantation sector which plays an important role in the State’s economy”, he said. Timely completion of the Kochi Metro Rail project, support for International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam and the proposed Smart City project in Kochi should be some of the top priorities of the new government. The chamber also called for assistance to the Petronet LNG terminal project.
The Confederation of Indian Industries Southern Region has also promised to extend full support to the state government. CII Southern Region chairman Ramesh Datal said “CII looks forward to forging a strong partnership with the Government towards achieving a robust socio-economic growth, which is sustainable and inclusive”.
V.P. Nandakumar, CII Kerala state council chairman, while congratulating the LDF, said that CII would work closely with the new Government towards achieving an all-round growth with emphasis on infrastructure, healthcare, entrepreneurship, skill development, tourism, agriculture & food processing.
