Nirmala discusses foreign trade policy with officials

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today held discussions with senior officials on the forthcoming foreign trade policy with a view to stimulate exports.
"Held discussions with senior officers on draft Foreign Trade Policy. Will work to stimulate exports," Sitharaman said in her official tweeter handle launched today.
Commerce ministry officials have already started the exercise for preparation of the new five-year foreign trade policy (2009-14).
The FTP, likely to be announced after Budget, applies to all export- and import-related activity. It is aimed at enhancing exports and using trade expansion as an effective instrument of economic growth and employment generation.

Further, she asked officials in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to work on labour intensive sectors to boost manufacturing.
"Manufacturing has to be key driver of job creation," she said.

The minister also directed officials to complete conversion of manual ports to Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Ports within six months.
"Reviewed the work of Tariff Commission and Salt Commissioner's office.Vastly different areas-new facets of DIPP !," the tweet said.
In conformity with drive to ensure transparent and responsive government, Sitharaman launched "@CimGOI" - the official twitter handle of the ministry.
"Following the government's commitment to engage with people directly, we will harness the technology. I will communicate the initiatives and programmes of my Ministry through this handle," she said.

She further added that the Twitter handle of the Ministry will let the people know about the important developments taking place.