The Hindu Business Line : Kamal Nath keen on unshackling procedures in Exim Policy

THE Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, is keen to "unshackle" Exim procedures in the forthcoming Exim Policy. He has also assured the exporting community that their concerns on taxation would be taken up with the Finance Ministry.

At the first in a series of interactive sessions with the exporting community on Exim Policy 2004-05, Mr Kamal Nath sought specific suggestions from the exporting community on how transaction cost could be reduced for their benefit. The interactive session was organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

The FIEO members used the occasion to press for the setting up of a regulatory authority to regulate the fees charged by shipping agents, consolidators and shipping lines.

"The shipping lines, agents and consolidators are taking the exporters for a ride. They are charging whatever fees they like. Small exporters, especially upcountry exporters in places like Delhi, are suffering at their hands", an exporter complained to the Minister.

The FIEO President, Mr Rafeeque Ahmed, urged the Minister to ensure that all exporting industries should be exempted from every tax so that the exporters can use the tax saved for making investments and improve their competitiveness. He also said that the existing duty entitlement passbook (DEPB) scheme should be continued. Besides restoration of 80HHC benefits, the FIEO members also pitched for extension of benefits to units in the domestic tariff area (which are exporting 100 per cent of their production) at par with the 100 per cent EOUs.

Meanwhile, an official release indicated that the revised Exim Policy would be finalised after exhaustive consultations and announced after the Budget.

CMP factor on re-negotiation of WTO pacts

RESPONDING to queries from presspersons on the sidelines of the meeting on whether the common minimum programme (CMP) indicates any intent to re-negotiate agreements at the WTO, Mr Kamal Nath, said that there is nothing in CMP that talks of re-negotiation of WTO agreements.

The CMP states that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government would adhere to earlier commitments even as "efforts are mounted to ensure that all agreements reflect our concerns fully particularly in the area of intellectual property and agriculture."

Further, it states that the Government would use the flexibility afforded in the existing WTO agreements to fully protect Indian agriculture and industry. The UPA Government will play a proactive role in strengthening the emerging solidarity of developing countries in the shape of G-20 in the WTO.

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