Orissa seeks representation in BOT
 |
|
Mr. S Agarwal, Addl, DGFT (3rd from right) addressing the gathering. Others, from left, are Mr. D P Mohapatra, Addl. Secretary, Industry Department, Government of Orissa; Mr. Tapan Majumdar, Joint DGFT, New Delhi; Mr. J K Singh, Joint DGFT, Kolkata, and Mr. T K Chattopadhya, Dy. Director General, FIEO (ER). |
Dr Shyam S Agarwal, Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, New Delhi has informed that the DGFT office is likely to shift from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar. Addressing an open house organised by the Orissa Chapter of FIEO on 2nd April 2007 at Bhubaneswar, he also informed that his department was considering relief for exporters from service tax on post-production export activities.
More than 80 prominent exporters from the State of Orissa joined the open house. In response to the demand made by the President of Marine Exporters’ Association for allowing duty free import of diesel for marine exporters, Dr Agarwal suggested him to make a formal proposal in this regard mentioning the figures of marine export from Orissa and the amount of diesel required.
Some of the exporters complained that they were forced to shell out huge amount of commission for obtaining bank guarantees for a period of 10 years at a time under EPCG scheme. They said they would be more comfortable getting bank guarantees for 2 years initially and renewing them every two years subject to a maximum period of 10 years or till the fulfillment of export obligation, whichever is earlier. Dr Agarwal assured to look into the matter.
Earlier, while welcoming Dr Agarwal, Mr. Tapan Chattopadhyay, Dy Director General, FIEO (Eastern Region) highlighted the major issues affecting exports from Orissa with specific reference to products like chrome, iron ore and handicrafts.
|
Mr. D P Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Industry Department, Government of Orissa during his address sought the representation of states in the Board of Trade. Expressing happiness over ongoing modernization of Paradip Port and establishment of new ports of Dhamra and Gopalpur, he observed that improved export infrastructure would boost export of products like steel, aluminium, textiles and auto sector from the state. Mr. Mahapatra informed that waste products of steel plants and power plants were being exported to neighbouring countries from Orissa. |
 |
|
A view of the participants |
Towards the end of the meet, Dr Agarwal awarded star status certificates to M/s. Spak Enterprises and M/s. Geeta Rani Mahanty. Mr. Tapan Majumdar, Jt. DGFT, New Delhi and Mr. J K Singh, Jt. DGFT, Kolkata were present on the occasion.
