NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal has assured all export promotion councils (EPCs) and industry bodies that government is working elaborately to ensure a good future for Indian exporters, both merchandise and service and to protect the interest of the country.
While addressing EPCs and industry associations on Thursday in New Delhi, Goyal complimented the positivity amongst the exporter community and their optimism to convert this crisis that the world is facing today into an opportunity.
Informing that India is on the path to cross $800 billion this year with the major share of services exports, the minister has urged the merchandise exporters to remain ahead of the curve and increase their exports. Additional increase in exports in the last fortnight will usher in the confidence of the exporters to try and aspire to cross 900 billion dollars exports in the coming year.
Allaying the concerns of the industry with regard to the US, the Minister has called on the EPCs to reflect on their strengths and share their demands and interests with the Government for better engagement with the US.
The Minister has reminded the EPCs and Industry that the budget has provided for Export Promotion Mission particularly focusing on new products, new markets and new exporters. He has urged the industry to come forward with suggestions to effectively shape the schemes to achieve the desired goal.
On the ongoing efforts on bilateral agreements, the minister said the government is concurrently acting on several tracks each one of which is aimed at ensuring best interest of the Indian exporters. Indicating that the government has reached final stages in free trade agreements (FTAs) with few in particular, the minister was positive that it will lead to much better opportunities for Indian exporters and will also bring in higher investment.
The minister was optimistic that the stakeholder consultations and engagements with EPCs and the industry will result in mutually beneficial arrangements for a glorious future for Indian Exports and to expand India’s footprint in newer and bigger markets.
Reflecting on the reciprocal tariffs, he cautioned the EPCs to come out of their protectionist mindset and encouraged them to be bold and ready to deal with the world from a position of strength and self-confidence.
The objective of the Viksit Bharat Mission to make India a prosperous Nation is only possible when the collective commitment of Industry converges with the aspirations of Indian consumers at large for access to goods and services at competitive prices.
