Single window for exports soon: PM

The board will include secretaries of commerce, finance, textiles, industry, surface transport and electronics as members.

The prime minister said the would have such meetings at frequent intervals to sort out export-related problems. He wants that both government and business must be partners in the venture for accelerating exports and must move together. Gujral also agreed to set up a Single Window Clearance system for Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in order to improve operational efficiency and exports from the zones.

According to an official spokesman Gujral took a series of on-the-spot decisions at the meeting convened by him to discuss issues relating to exports.

The prime minister sat through the nearly five-hour deliberations +to understand issues, educate himself and solve exporters problems.

Giving details of the meeting, Ramaiah said that besides sector specific problems the representations of industry and exporters raised issues of high cost of credit, availability of finance, rising transportation costs and increasing costs of production.

Gujral indicated that entitlement rates for all export products under the Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) scheme in respect of which input-output and value-addition norms are available would be notified by the government by the end of this month.

An inter-departmental committee had been set up to decide value-addition norms for other items in consultation with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs).

He also announced a number of time-bound major policy initiatives for the textile sector, which account for a substantial part of India’s total exports.

Gujral said he would be taking a meeting on the setting up of a Cotton Technology Mission day after tomorrow (28th June) with the objective of increasing productivity. The prime minister responded positively to the proposal for immediate setting up of the technology upgradation fund for the textile sector and directed the ministry of finance to look into the proposal and report back to him to the 10th of next month.

Textile Minister R L Jalappa indicated that the ministry of textile had taken up the proposal with both Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance.

Steps are being taken to improve availability of gold for exports including stock and sale of gold by the State Bank of India. More banks will also be making gold available for export purposes, the meeting decided.

Priority will be given to simplification and streamlining of Customs procedures particularly through the electronic data system.