The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TNCCI) has cautioned the exporters of Tamil Nadu by exposing a case wher some Kerala entrepreneurs tried to illegally transport perishable goods to Gulf countries via Madurai airport. These exports have been banned by them after the Nipah virus outbreak.

In May, the United Arab Emirates banned the import of fresh fruits and vegetables from Kerala in the wake of an outbreak of the Nipah virus in that state. It was indicated that the main host of the disease is the fruit bat, transmitting the virus through secretions on the fruit that it feeds on or touches. Mangoes, dates and bananas are the bats most preferred fruit.

Despite the ban, some exporters are using Madurai airport to export their goods to the Gulf countries. This could put all Tamil Nadu exporters in trouble, so they immediately alerted the concerned departments.

According to knnindia.co.in, a letter to the Madurai Airport Director stated: “Some Kerala exporters have been clandestinely transporting perishable goods originating from Kerala by road to Madurai and with connivance of a corrupted airline agent and CHA agents allowing the goods to be airlifted to Dubai and other Gulf destinations through Madurai Airport.”