States that push exports may bag sops from Centre

NEW DELHI: The government is considering incentives for states which play a proactive role in promoting exports, commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu said on Monday and added that his ministry is in the process of preparing a strategy to promote overall exports and push the country's industrial growth.

“We are thinking of ideas whereby we can incentivise the states which promote exports. I have mooted this idea before the states and asked them to give their ideas on this,” Prabhu said after the third meeting of Council for Trade Development and Promotion here.

During the meeting, Prabhu said Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar suggested that all states should prepare their export policies focussed on organic farming, value addition and special economic zones. So far, only 14 states including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and J&K have done the same.


Members of the council also deliberated on creating a framework for making the states active partners in boosting exports. India’s merchandise exports rose 12.01% year-on-year to $196.48 billion between April and November 2017.

When asked about the concerns raised by exporters in the meeting related to GST refund, Prabhu said the issue was discussed and the ministry is working on an 'e-wallet' system to resolve the matter wherein duty paid supplies have to be undertaken and the amount will be credited when the proof of exports is made available. Other issues that came up for discussion during the council's meeting include role of FDI in promoting exports and enhancing role of states to push shipments.

The minister said the government wants to streamline every aspect of foreign trade and an announcement on the review of the FDI policy could be expected soon.

APPLE’S PROPOSAL
Prabhu said the government is awaiting a concrete proposal from iPhone maker Apple to set up a manufacturing unit in India. Apple Inc executives Nick Amman, who is director-government affairs, and Priya Balasubramaniam, global vice president-Operations, had met the minister last Friday.

“We are waiting for a good proposal from Apple... Please give us a concrete proposal. If the proposal comes, we will examine it,” Prabhu said.