Other services being roped in for tax reimbursement: R. S. Gujral
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| Sitting on the dais, are from left, Mr. M S Dhillon, Jt. DGFT, Chandigarh; Mr. Ajay Sahai, Director General, FIEO; Dr. R.K. Dhawan; Mr. R.S.Gujral; Mr. Sanjay Bhatia, President, PHDCCI; Dr. Shayam S Agarwal, Addl. DGFT; Mr. Talkeshwar Singh, Commissioner of Customs and Mr. Kirhan Kalra, Secretary General, PHDCCI, |
Continuous rise in the value of rupee against dollar is not only a matter of concern for the exporters but also for the Ministry of Commerce, says the Director General of Foreign Trade, Mr. R. S. Gujral. Interacting with the exporters at a meeting organized by FIEO in association with PHD Chamber of Commerce (PHDCCI) on Foreign Trade Policy in Chandigarh on 20th September, Mr. Gujral informed that soon the Ministry of Commerce would hold a meeting to see what best could be done to address the situation.
Referring to the recent notification issued by the Finance Ministry regarding refund of service tax on transport and port based services, Mr. Gujral said that efforts were on to provide tax reimbursement on all services used by exporters and that the Department of Commerce was examining how to rope in other services which have been left out by the notification.
Earlier, the Northern Region Chairman of FIEO, Dr. R. K. Dhawan expressed concern over hardening rupee and said that the survival of exporters, particularly small and medium ones, was at stake. As a relief measure, he suggested, the exporters should be allowed to raise their invoices in rupee which would protect them against its appreciation.
Speaking further, Dr. Dhawan urged the Union Government to restart Freight Neutralization Scheme for exporters of all products from Punjab to provide them level playing field against exporters of those states which are privileged with ports.
PHDCCI President Mr. Sanjay Bhatia in his address pushed for providing efficient infrastructure, timely credit at internationally competitive rates, and conducive policy framework ensuring simplified and transparent procedures to exporters. He stressed the need to broaden the ambit of Focus Product and Focus Market Schemes. He summed up saying that promotion of exports should be a joint endeavour of both central and state governments and exporters should be given proper operating grounds, free of bureaucratic hassles, to enable them compete in international market.
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A view of the participants. |
Towards the end of the meeting, FIEO Director General Mr. Ajay Sahai brought to the notice of Mr. Gujral various issues relating to Trade Policy affecting exporters and urged their immediate resolution to provide some relief to the exporters reeling under appreciating rupee.
