The commerce ministry has taken several measures to address hardships faced by exporters due to COVID-19 pandemic, a day after an apex exporters body warned of 15 million job losses unless an immediate incentive package is announced by the government
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, lasts date for filing claims under services and goods export from India schemes, for filing RoSCTL among others.
It also said that steps have been taken to facilitate units in special economic zones. For these zones, 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.
Further, the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation. (ECGC) too has extended the time for filing declarations, report of default, filing claims/replies, reduction in policy proposal processing fee, discretion to decide about shipments and claim eligibility period