Scared of infectious swine flu, Punjab-based exporters are now deferring their plans to visit overseas markets especially the US and Europe for collecting export orders, a development that could impact the state's economy.
"We have seen at least 35-40 per cent decline in strength of exporters from several parts of Punjab in past one month who have postponed their plans to visit US and European countries due to swine flu," Engineering Export Promotion Council Assistant Director Opinder Singh told PTI.
According to Singh, the exporters who are mainly engaged in the business of hand tool, bicycle parts, auto parts and fasteners are restricting their travel movements.
"Exporters who are basically from Ludhiana and Jalandhar are citing Swine flu as main reason for postponing their overseas visits," he said.
Moreover, others who were to take part in overseas business exhibitions are now reluctant to visit those fairs.
"I have cancelled my visit to take part in world's largest exhibition on bicycles to be held in Germany as there are chances of being affected by the swine flu... Why should I take risk even as it (fair) was important for me to augment my business," said Satish Dhanda, a Ludhiana-based bicycle exporter.
At the same time, as the number of swine flu cases rise in the country, many buyers are cancelling their visit to India.
