Centre asks Maharashtra to frame own exports policy

MUMBAI: The Centre has asked the Maharashtra government to frame its own exports policy, Union Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, who held a meeting of state officials and exporters today at Sahyadri guesthouse here, said.

Exporters have been complaining of lack of a systematic export policy in the state and the hurdles in exporting various items. These issues were discussed at the meeting.

"We have suggested to the Maharashtra government to bring in a policy focusing only on exports. We asked them to identify some items that will be specifically exported from Mumbai and the state. Create a traders facilitation center to resolve the grievances of exporters," Teaotia told reporters.

"They (exporters) have complaints against JNPT port (near Mumbai) which is already working beyond its capacity. Exporters will have to face difficulties till the port gets expanded or alternative option is made available," she said.

The Union Government has a foreign trade policy which the state can adopt or it can frame its own policy, she said.

"There are several items like grapes and cotton (which need an export policy). The list is vast. First remove bottlenecks, bring transparency in administration and policy, the result will be good," she said.

The Center announced Foreign Trade Policy (FTP 2015-20) on April 1, 2015 to support manufacturers and service sectors with special emphasis on improving the ease of doing business.

"This five-year foreign trade policy introduces new schemes for exporters called Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) and Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS). Special focus on trade facilitation is one of the other features of Foreign Trade Policy," Teaotia said.