The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, will take up with the new Government at the Centre the need to improve flight connectivity to the city.
This was one of the resolutions passed at the annual meeting of the Chamber held here on Monday. Coimbatore has direct flight connectivity to Sharjah and Singapore. Though airliners such as Air Asia are interested in operating flights to Coimbatore, they do not have the bilateral traffic rights from the Government for operation of flights to the city.
As many as 18 cities in the country, including Tiruchi, do not need the special bilateral approval. But, Coimbatore is not in the list of the 18 cities.
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Apart from the need for air connectivity to overseas destinations, Coimbatore should have more flights to Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata, according to the Chamber.
The trade and industry organisation will also take up with the Government the need to improve urban infrastructure in Coimbatore, improve rail connectivity and road connectivity, and develop the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone here.
It will also represent to the Coimbatore Corporation on the need for cost-effective sewage treatment plants and regular maintenance of the water bodies here.
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Outgoing president of the chamber, R.R. Balasundharam, said that indirect tax collection in the region in 2013-14 was Rs. 1,482 crore as against Rs. 1,640 crore the previous year.
Commercial Tax collection last financial year was Rs. 3,326 crore as against Rs. 3,100 crore the previous year. Thus, there is a drop in industrial and service activities while trading sector seems to have improved. While the region is yet to recover from the impact of economic slowdown, there is hope of revival and reforms. The city is also hopeful of infrastructure development soon.
D. Nandakumar, proprietor of Selvam Agencies, was elected president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore for 2014-16 at the annual meeting.