Question : Export Issues raised by EPCs

(a) whether the Government has recently held any meeting with the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) to review the current trend of exports from India and to take stock of issues faced by the exporters and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the EPCs have sought better promotion of Brand India apart from increased incentives to boost exports and if so, the details thereof and the other issues raised by EPCs therein;
(c) whether the Government has examined the issues raised by EPCs; and
(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to address them?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

a) Government regularly interacts with Export Promotion Councilsto obtain their feedback on the trade scenario and discuss various related issues to inform the Department’s initiatives. The most recent interaction took place on 5.4.2016 in which the representatives of the 14 Export Promotion Councils and Federation of Indian Export Organizationsparticipated.

b) Export Promotion Councils, during the interaction, raised many issues. The major issues raised included issues related to enhancement of MEIS incentives, the Interest Equalisation Scheme, mobilization of Indian Missions for providing necessary support to exporters and promotion of Brand India.

c & d) Interaction with stake holders, including Export Promotion Councils, and factoring in their inputs in the process of formulating and reforming policies is an ongoing process. In the recent period Government has been informed by such inputs to take various initiatives, which include the following:
i. Coverage under the MEIS schemehas been expanded in October, 2015 to include more products and markets.
ii. Interest Equalisation Scheme has been introduced for 5 yearsw.e.f. 01.04.2015.
iii. Indian Missions have been mobilized to provide support to exporters. Exporters can now access trade related information, including that posted by the Indian Missions, at the Indian Trade Portal (www.indiantradeportal.in).
iv. India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) has been established by the Government with the objective to promote and create international awareness of the Made in India label in markets overseas and to facilitate dissemination of knowledge of Indian products and services. Towards this objective, IBEF works closely with stakeholders across government and industry.

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