DGFT launches Andriod app; steps to make int trading paperless

The Commerce Ministry will take a host of measures in the coming days to further improve ease of doing business and make international trading paperless.
Also, Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher today launched two mobile applications which provide access to most of the services of Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
The DGFT is focusing on steps to simplify procedures for traders, Kher said while launching the mobile apps.
"In the days to come, the ministry is going to focus on simplification and ease of doing business, use of technology and digital things to make international trading paperless," he said.
As part of its endeavour to provide more information in electronic format and a trade facilitation measure, the DGFT has launched its mobile initiative with Android app - 'DGFT' through which most of its services can be accessed.

This app was developed by an Assistant DGFT Gagan Deep, a 2011 batch ITS (Indian Trade Service) officer.

It would allow exporters and importers to access the foreign trade policy and other related documents in an ease-to-use searchable format.
Traders can track the status of their applications besides export figures, duty rates among other things.
"The app will allow the exporters/importers to search for ITC(HS) codes and Merchandise exports from India rates which are huge databases that are used every day by the whole trade community," the ministry said in a release.
The app is currently available for the Android platform. The app is just a new beginning for DGFT and many new apps to provide other services are in the pipeline, it said.

Kher has also launched another app "DAVA" through which an importer can verify the authenticity of a drug.
The Ministry has already significantly reduced the number of documents needed for international trade to three. Earlier, at least 10 different documents were required for export and similar number for import.