The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organized a stakeholder workshop on September 22, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, focusing on ‘Ease of Doing Business,’ opportunities arising from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and trade-related reforms.
This was followed by an interactive session between industry representatives and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, along with Minister of State Jitin Prasada. Piyush Goyal emphasized strengthening both physical and digital mechanisms to simplify export processes. He outlined a plan to set up integrated commerce and industry offices in major cities.
Goyal also shared a plan to create a network of approximately 1,000 trained local personnel proficient in regional languages to assist exporters and potential exporters at the district and state levels. These personnel will be deployed to provide guidance to businesspeople through industry chambers and regional organizations.
At the workshop, industry representatives raised challenges related to exports, trade documentation, logistics, the utilization of FTAs, and regulatory procedures. They emphasized the need for better digital interoperability between government and foreign trade systems, particularly regarding the digital transmission and verification of Certificates of Origin.
Representatives from the roller chain and industrial components sector highlighted the positive impact of policy measures such as the Quality Control Order (QCO), Minimum Import Price (MIP), and high import duties. According to the industry, these measures led to a 15-fold expansion in the sector, attracted new investments worth approximately ₹500 crore, and created around 5,000 job opportunities.
Goyal also provided details about the ‘Trade Connect’ platform. It is being developed to provide exporters with information on tariffs, FTA opportunities, and relevant procedures in destination countries, based on products and HSN codes. The platform will also incorporate digital and AI-based tools to identify potential export opportunities and infrastructure gaps.
Representatives from various sectors—including pharma, textiles, automobiles, engineering, and logistics along with MSMEs and women entrepreneurs, participated in the workshop.
The DPIIT and the Department of Commerce delivered presentations on reforms related to Startup India, IPR, investment facilitation, the National Single Window System, and industrial infrastructure.
The meeting emphasized further strengthening cooperation between the government and industry to simplify business processes, bolster domestic manufacturing and supply chains, and effectively leverage opportunities arising from India’s FTA network.
(PIB)
