A day after Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) warned of 15 million job losses unless an immediate incentive package is announced by the government, the Commerce Ministry has said that it has taken several measures to address hardships faced by exporters due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The steps enlisted by the ministry included extensions of foreign trade policy by one year, export obligation under advance authorisation and export promotion capital goods scheme, the validity of registration cum membership certificate, last date for filing claims under services and goods export from India schemes, for filing RoSCTL (rebate of state and central taxes and levies) claims, valid period of all status holder certificates, and replenishment scheme for gems and jewellery.
The Commerce Ministry also underlined the steps taken to facilitate units in special economic zones like extensions have been given filing quarterly progress report, annual performance reports, and permission to take desktop/laptop outside SEZs by IT and non IT units. For agri exporters, it said that certification bodies have been advised to extend the validity of organic certificates, and registration of packhouses.