SGCCI urges PM’s intervention over Gulf tensions affecting industries

Surat: The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to protect industries from the impact of rising tensions in the Gulf region and disruptions in key shipping routes.The chamber also submitted a representation to Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi, finance minister Kanubhai Desai and Surat district collector Dr Sourabh Pardhi.SGCCI president Nikhil Madrasi said a large part of India's industrial sector depends on imports from the Gulf region, including raw materials, petrochemical derivatives, liquefied natural gas, crude oil and other key industrial inputs. "The current geopolitical situation and disruptions in shipping routes are affecting both availability and prices of these resources, creating serious challenges for industries," he said.According to the chamber, industries in Surat and South Gujarat — particularly textiles, chemicals, petrochemicals, ceramics, engineering, steel re-rolling, plastics and MSMEs — are facing shortages of gas and other industrial fuels.They are also dealing with rising prices of crude oil derivatives and petrochemical feedstock, supply disruptions in imported raw materials, and higher freight and logistics costs due to global uncertainty.The chamber said the situation has already led to lower production and higher operating costs in several units, with gas-based industries being particularly vulnerable. If the situation persists, it could impact exports, employment and the regional economy, it added.SGCCI urged the central and state govts to ensure adequate and uninterrupted supplies of natural gas and LNG through alternative sourcing. It also sought policy relief for affected industries, logistics support for critical units and measures to stabilize prices of essential fuels and raw materials.