DEPB scheme to continue until GST put in place: DGFT
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Mr. R S Gujral, DGFT (3rd right) addressing the meeting. With him are from left, Mr. Dinesh Gupta, Vice President, GCCI; Mr. Sanjay Rastogi, Export Commissioner; Mr. Ajay Sahai, Director General, FIEO; Dr. (Mrs.) Maya D Kem, Development commissioner, SEZ, Mundra; and Mr. Pravin Agarwal, Chairman, Kandla Port Trust. |
Director General of Foreign Trade suggests exporters to reduce dependence on policy incentives and focus on cost and technology. Addressing an open house on 29th May at Gandhidham, Mr. R. S. Gujral said exporters of India should strive to become more competitive in terms of cost and technology so that they are not dependent on government support. He, however, added that the DGFT was always committed to facilitate exports from the country by addressing all problems and constrains affecting export sector.
The open house was organized by FIEO in association with Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI). More than 100 exporters joined the open house.
Development Commissioner of Mundra SEZ, Dr. (Mrs.) Maya D Kem welcomed the DGFT and informed about the infrastructural facilities available to units in the SEZ.
During the interactive session, a representative of Rishi Shippings expressed his grievance that his application for refund of TED and AIR DBK against EPCG license was pending since long. On this, the DGFT asked him to submit details with his office.
Referring to a notification, a representative of Capital Food Exports Pvt. Ltd said that supply of cement to SEZ units and SEZ developers had been stopped. The DGFT informed that the said notification had been withdrawn in view of problems faced by SEZ units and developers.
An EPCES (Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZ units) representative sought abolition of stamp duty paid by units in KASEZ on supplies of medicine and various life saving drugs to economically disadvantaged populations in Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, North Korea, Mozambique under WHO aided projects. The DGFT assured that he would discuss the matter with concerned state authorities.
A representative of Mission Pharma Logistics India Ltd, a food export unit in KASEZ, said that due to export restriction on basmati rice they were unable to take the product inside KASEZ for processing. The DGFT responded saying that the ban was enforced to provide food security to the citizens of the country and was thus justified.
A participant said that for some products, the DEPB rates announced under the Policy were insufficient. On this, the DGFT said that if any exporter was not satisfied with the rates then he could send reliable data to his office so that the rates could be reviewed. He went on to say that the DEPB scheme would continue until GST was put in place.
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Earlier, GCCI President Mr. Parasmal Nahta, in his welcome address said that due to scarcity of staff in DGFT Office of Gandhidham, exporters were facing procedural delays. The DGFT promised that he would take immediate measures to provide additional staff. Addressing the open house, Mr. Pravin Agrawal, Chairman, Kandla Port Trust, requested private players to come forward for developing infrastructure in the state. He added that there were many areas in North Gujarat where road & rail connectivity should be focused to reduce transaction cost for exports. |
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A View of the participants |
The open house was conducted by Mr. Ajay Sahai, DG, FIEO. Mr. Sanjay Rastogi, Export Commissioner, Mr. Anil Singh, Jt. DGFT, Mr. Tapan Mazumdar, Jt. DGFT, Mr. O. P. Hisaria, Jt. DGFT and Mr. Virendra Singh, Jt. DGFT, Rajkot also attended the Open House.
