Gujarat capable of broadening export basket: Teaotia

Union Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia today said that Gujarat, the second largest state in terms of exports, has the potential to further improve its performance.
"Gujarat is second largest state in terms of exports. Today, we had meetings with state government and exporters and suggested that there is potential to broad base the exports coming from Gujarat," she told reporters.
Teaotia was here to hold meetings with Gujarat government officials as well exporters to find out the problems being faced by the businessmen.
After a detailed meeting, Teaotia assured them that her department will try its best to remove hurdles.

"There is potential in exporting textiles, garments, value added agri-products and in food processing sector. We want Gujarat to compete with itself and do even better in exports," she added.
On her visit to the state, she said the Department of Commerce has taken up the exercise to eliminate all the hurdles affecting exports in states.

"Our objective in holding talks with state governments is to find out what are the issues which are the limiting factors to exports. We will resolve the issues faced by exporters. We all will work together to maximise exports," the secretary said.
The local exporters gave many suggestions to her and asked her to resolve the issues affecting them.

"Some of the key issues raised today mainly revolve around paper work, cost involved in logistics and some concerns were raised about Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)" said Teaotia.
"Integration of software of Customs Department with Director General of Foreign Trade(DGFT) is almost complete. Another is integration of SEZs with Customs. We have successfully checked it in Chennai and will replicate in other SEZs. Both these projects may be implemented by the end of this financial year," she added.