Indian traders worried over delay in resuming wheat exports to Iraq

Indian exporters have voiced concern over the delay in government clearance for resuming wheat exports to Iraq, while expressing confidence that they will be able to meet the quality parameters set by Baghdad, reports the Indian news agency (PTI).

"There is no point in delaying exports to Iraq as some of the lines of credit have expired and many more are due inviting needless penalties at a juncture when India has the wherewithal to clean wheat up to Iraqi standards," chairman of International Trade Committee (ASSOCHAM), Anil Agarwal, told PTI.

He added samples of cleaned wheat were sent to Iraq and had been found to be of their Grain Board's satisfaction. The cleaning facilities set up in Kandla were lying idle waiting for the government's go-ahead for resuming exports.

PTI however quoted official sources as saying they were "not prepared to take any risks on the issue and will take a final decision only after being fully convinced of the consignments' quality to avoid the country getting a bad name on rejection."