Lok Sabha Question No. 279 (STARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Trade Facilitation Council
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

**STARRED QUESTION NO. 279**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 7** **TH** **AUGUST 2015**

**TRADE FACILITATION COUNCIL**

***279.  SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:**

**SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:**

Will the Minister of **COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (´ÉÉÉÊhÉVªÉ A´ÉÆ =tÉÉäMÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ)** be pleased to state:

- 1.1. whether the Government proposes to set up Trade Facilitation Council to promote India's overseas shipments;
- 1.2. if so, the objectives and composition thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be set up;
- 1.3. whether the Government has also asked/requested States to formulate their own State Trade and SEZ Policy, appoint commissioners and prepare export strategy in order to streamline the procedures and increase exports, if so, the details thereof indicating the response of the States thereto and the progress made by them in this regard;
- 1.4. whether the Government has held or proposes to hold any meeting with States in this regard, if so, the details thereof indicating the issues discussed and the decisions arrived; and
- 1.5. the manner in which the proposed measures are likely to boost exports and to achieve the export targets fixed under New Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20?

### ANSWER

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

1. to  e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 279 FOR ANSWER ON 7** **TH** AUGUST, 2015 REGARDING “TRADE FACILITATION COUNCIL”

(a)& (b): Yes, Madam. A Council for Trade Development and Promotion has been constituted on 3 rd July, 2015 to ensure a continuous dialogue with State Governments and UTs on measures for providing an international trade enabling environment in the States and to create a framework for making the States active partners in boosting India’s exports. The objective and composition of the Council is Annexed.

(c)	: Department of Commerce has identified some key initiatives to be taken by States/UTs such as preparation of Export Strategies, appointment of Export Commissioners and institution of Export Awards etc. Till date, 15 States have prepared their Export Strategies, 22 States have appointed Export Commissioner and 6 States have instituted the Export Awards. Further as per section 50 of the SEZ Act, 2005, the State Government may notify policies for Developers and Units and take suitable steps for enactment of any law. In order to make effective functioning of the single window mechanism in SEZs, State Governments have been requested to delegate important State Government functions to the Development Commissioners of SEZ and provide necessary exemptions to the SEZ Developers under the State tax laws. As per available information, five States namely Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Punjab have passed their State SEZ Acts and another five States namely Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala have formulated their State SEZ Policies respectively.

(d): All the States /UTs have been requested to use this Council for articulating their perspective on the trade policy, outline the assistance needed for their export promotion initiatives and to send their suggestions for setting the agenda for the first meeting of the Council. This will be an institutional mechanism for regular communication with the stakeholders.

(e): It is expected that these measures will promote exports and facilitate exporters.

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**ANNEXURE**

**Objectives of Council:**

- To provide a platform to State Governments and UTs for articulating their perspectives on trade policy;
- To provide a platform to Government of India for apprising State Governments and UTs about international developments affecting India’s trade potential and opportunities and to prepare them to deal with evolving situation;
- To help State Governments develop and pursue export strategies in line with national Foreign Trade Policy;
- To provide a platform for deliberation on the need for infrastructure relevant for promoting trade and for identification of impediments and infrastructure gaps which adversely affect India’s exports;
- To facilitate a mechanism for discussion on operationalization of trade infrastructure.

**Composition of the Council:**

| 1.                                                           | Union Commerce and Industry Minister                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Chairperson               |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| 2.                                                           | Minister in-charge of Trade and Commerce in  State Governments and UTs                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Members                   |
| 3.                                                           | Secretaries to Government of India :  Commerce, Revenue, Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Civil Aviation, Industrial Policy & Promotion, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Food Processing, Information Technology, Deptt. Of Economic Affairs, MSME, Textiles, Environment | Members                   |
| 4.  5.  6.  7.  8.  9.  10.  11.  12.                        | Chairman, Railway Board  Secretary / CEO, Niti Ayog  DGFT  DGEP  Director Centre for WTO Studies  Director RIS  DG FIEO  Secretary / Generals of FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM  Concerned Joint Secretary in D/o Commerce                                                                  | Members  Member Secretary |
| Chairman can opt any other official or expert when required. |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |                           |

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