Export promotion council set up for EOUs, EPZs, SEZs

NEW DELHI: To support special economic zones (SEZs), export processing zones (EPZs) and export oriented units (EOUs), a full-fledged export promotion council (EPC) has been set up with the support of the commerce department.
The Confederation of Export Units (CEU) which now looks after the interests of these segments, would be merged with the new EPC, according to sources in the commerce department.
While the original plan was to convert CEU into an EPC, it was modified subsequently due to technical hitches. The memorandum of association and articles of association of the EPC were approved in line with the Societies Registration Act of 1980, the sources added.
While a governing council for the new EPC is to be elected soon, Mr R Veeramani of Gem Granites has been elected as chairman of the new EPC. Mr S Jaipuria of Ginni International would be the vice-chairman of the Council.
Unanimous decisions to this effect were taken by the founder members of the Council. The new organisation would look after the interests of EOUs as well as EPZs, SEZs and agri export zones (AEZs) along with the units located in these zones.
The council will work with the government on policy issues related to these categories of exporters for effective trade promotion.
It is understood that the commerce department is likely to make membership of the new EPC mandatory for all EOUs. Thereafter, the new organisation would be nominated to disburse market development assistance (MDA) grant for export promotion in key overseas markets.
The founder members have finalised a working committee to monitor various functions including framing of election bye-laws. It has also been decided that the registered office and head office of the EPC will be located at New Delhi.
Regional offices will be set up all over the country and the Council would also involve regional trade associations in its activities by co-opting them its members.