Govt to announce new initiatives in Exim Policy

new delhi: the government is likely to announce new initiatives for marketing as well as cluster development in the forthcoming exim policy. industry sources said the government was working on a new initiative for marketing, with thrust on publicity, as part of efforts to boost exports. under the initiative, the government was considering merging of some of the schemes -- including the market access initiative as well as the brand equity fund scheme. in addition, the centre was also considering extending incentives for setting up of industrial clusters. "the need to give incentives to cluster has been felt since the special economic zones have a very long gestation period. hence, extending incentives to cluster on the lines of sezs could boost exports," they said. the incentives under consideration include technical support and reducing government interference by removing restrictions on movement of goods in the clusters, they said. other incentives being considered include sops for infrastructure, sources added. commerce and industry minister murasoli maran has already indicated that the new five-year exim policy will be exporter-friendly, and would seek to reduce procedures coming in way of exports. hectic consultations are already on in the commerce ministry to finalise the policy which will be unveiled on march 31, 2002.