INTERACTION WITH COMMERCE SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ORGANISED BY FIEO

Ludhiana, October 11, 2017: Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) organized an "Interaction with Commerce Secretary, Government of India" at Ludhiana. The objective for the interaction was to address various issues faced by exporters and discuss Mid - Term Review of Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020.

Ms. Rita A Teotia, Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India during her address said that, “The government is working constantly for the progressive business needs of the country. Regulatory framework is followed by the government agencies to positively impact the business operations in favorable conditions,which is the prime role and objective of government. Issues raised & discussed by the Industry members during the interaction will surely be looked upon".

She also added, "Exporting community is the distinct part of the Indian industry and plays a vital role in country’s economy. The concept of Goods & Services Tax (GST) was conceived during the year 1992 with an aim to smooth line business operations and with the recent GST implementation, the government is trying to create a pace for the industrial growth. Department of Revenue is now in line with the government at center level, so as to act as a single governing agency so as to benefit the industry. Fresh notifications regarding the GST, are being worked out for implementation at the earliest. Exporting community needs to widen their scope and bridge their gaps through the Export Promotion Councils (EPC’s) support. Both the, Central and State Government(s) will work in active collaboration with each other, in order to materialize the future plans of export promotion by states”.

Mr. Rahul Ahuja, Convener, FIEO Punjab State Committee, while sharing his views said that, ”With the implementation of GST, the exporters have come across various difficulties and I am happy that Government has considered our request(s) on priority. We compliment Commerce Secretary for her whole hearted support to address the exporter's issues which resulted in announcement made by GST council earlier this month. The relief for merchant exporter to procure goods for exports by payment of a nominal GST of 0.1% is indeed going to bring great relief. The government is also making sustained efforts to engage with States for the cause of export promotion and has constituted a Council for Trade development under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister, Commerce & Industry, which may well serve the purpose for enhancing exports from India. As the process of mid-term review of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) is under progress and this is an opportunity that should be used judiciously by exporters to flag all import issues for consideration of Government agencies for a favorable outcome”.

Mr. Sanjay Chadha, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Mr. V Kalyana Ram, Chairman & MD, CONCOR, Mr. D K Singh, MD, APEDA, Mr. D P S Kharbanda, Director of Industries & Commerce, Government of Punjab, Ms. Vasundhra Sinha, Addl. Director General of Foreign Trade (CLA), Mr. Satish Kumar, Addl. Director General of Foreign Trade, Ludhiana & Mr Ritu Raj Gupta, Joint Commissioner, Customs Ludhiana were the other senior officials from Center & State Government agencies who joined the session & addressed on various key industry & export related issues.

The session was well attended by more than 100 prominent industrialists from the region.