Centre, states discuss ways to boost exports

The Commerce Ministry today asked states to expedite infrastructure development process and formulate a trade policy in order to boost exports.
These issues, among others, were discussed during the meeting of senior officials of states, chaired by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia here.
The exercise is aimed at increasing the role of states in India's exports, which are in the negative zone since December last year.
"Several issues were discussed today. We have asked the state government officials to increase the pace of modernising exports infrastructure like roads, ports and power.
"We have also urged them to appoint export commissioners and prepare their own trade policy," an official said.

Issues related with refund of local taxes were also discussed, the official said, adding that the Commerce Ministry asked them to focus on products which have good potential for exports.

On the other hand, state government officials raised issues related with special economic zones.
Further, the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), under the Ministry, gave a presentation to them.
DGCI&S is an official organisation for collection, compilation and dissemination of India's trade statistics and commercial information.
Through this portal, states can access trade data and assess their position.
Senior officials from states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Goa participated in the meeting.

The official said that a Trade Facilitation Council comprising members of Centre and states have been set up to promote India's overseas shipments.
The Council will be chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and secretaries of key ministries and state ministers will be the members.
The move is aimed at achieving the USD 900 billion exports target by 2019-20.
Contracting for the sixth month in a row, India's exports dipped by 20.19 per cent to USD 22.34 billion in May.