Commerce Minister meets EPCs to address export concerns

New Delhi, Apr 6 (KNN) At a time when the exports are stuck to their declining trend, government is regularly interacting with the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) to review the trend and take stock of issues faced by the exporters.

Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a meeting on Tuesday with the Chairpersons of EPCs to review the current trend of exports from India and to take stock of issues faced by the exporters.

This was the second such meeting with the Councils – first meeting was held on 02.02.2016.

Fourteen (14) Export Promotion Councils participated in the meeting.

Some of the issues on which EPCs have sought Government support are as follows:

(i) Interest subvention for Gem & Jewellery sector;

(ii) Increase in MEIS incentives;

(iii) Inclusion of merchant exporters under IES;

(iv) Promotion of Brand India on consistent basis;

(v) More incentives for project exports;

(vi) Indian missions to be mobilised to provide necessary support to exporters.

Each of the participating organizations conveyed their specific issues relating to the sector and support required from the Government for improving manufacturing related to exports.

The Minister assured that the issues relating to Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Revenue would be taken up by the Department of Commerce.

The EPCs were advised to interact with their members constantly and cooperate with the Department to take the policy interventions introduced from time to time to the grass root level, to achieve the policy objectives.

However, it was also noted that the Department of Commerce has to work under certain limitations of funds and policy, but at the same time, it was assured that full cooperation would be provided to the EPCs. (With PIB Inputs)