Exporters urge govt to allow them to operate factories with minimum workforce

PTI, Mar 27, 2020, 7:38 PM IST

New Delhi: Exporters have demanded a host of steps such as allowing them to operate their factories with a minimum workforce, subsidy on interest rates, and extension of incentive schemes in order to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

These demands were raised during a video conference meeting called by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday with representatives from various Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) from across the country, to assess the impact of coronavirus and lockdown in the country.

The councils apprised of the impact of the pandemic on their activities and businesses and made a range of suggestions to overcome the hardships.

Goyal said in the meeting that export-import is an important activity of the country, and at the same time, the lockdown was necessary for the safety and health of 130 crore Indians. So, a fine balance has to be maintained and solutions found to reduce the difficulties.

He said the suggestions made in the conference will be taken up in right earnest, and action will be taken soon.

He assured the councils that the government will try to be accommodative with their reasonable demands, and come out with practical outcomes.

During the meeting, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) suggested that “All manufacturing companies in exports should be allowed to operate with 50 per cent of the manpower with full sanitation and safety with social distancing norms as loss in exports will result in market loss which will be extremely difficult to recover.”

FIEO Director General Ajay Sahai said, “Our loss will be China’s gain which is using all means to gain greater market access with increased incentives.”

The other recommendations made by them include an extension of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 by one year; extension of interest subsidy scheme for 2020-25 with effect from April 1, 2020; amnesty scheme for regularisation of default by payment of only customs duty without interest and penalty to lessen the burden on industry.

It also said all agencies involved in exports and imports including customs, freight forwarders, transporters, shipping lines, courier companies, plant quarantine, certificate of origin issuing agencies should function with minimal staff since if one of them is not functioning, the export-import chain is broken.

It has asked for an extension in pre- and post-shipment credit by a minimum of 180-270 days, Waiver of PF/ESI charges for all industry from March to June 2020 as the industry will bear the wage cost during the period of lockdown with no or less business affecting their liquidity.

Ludhiana-based exporter S C Ralhan said fixed charges levied may be waived and industry may be charged only on the actual consumption of electricity and immediate refund of IGST will help exporter in dealing with liquidity issues.

“These measures are important for the export sector as it contributes significantly to the country’s economic growth. Without these measures, the sector will face major problems,” leading footwear exporter and chairman of Chennai-based Farida Group, Rafeeq Ahmed, said.

Export Promotion Council for SEZs and EOUs Vice-Chairman Bhuvnesh Seth said steps need to be taken for special economic zones and export oriented units (EOUs).

He pitched for extension of income tax benefits and other incentives till March next year, the continuation of MEIS export incentive scheme and zero rent at least for MSME for lockdown period.

“In view of lockdown, we humbly request for extensions of sunset clause for SEZs till March 31, 2021; direction should be given to clear import containers or demur-rages applicable of shipping companies or ICD (Inland Container Depot) to be waived off during the lockdown period.

Units export consignments worth crores are palletised ready to stuff in containers for dispatch with time-bound delivery. Request to issue instructions to MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs), state governments and customs to move such containers for dispatch,” he added.

The organisations that took part in the video conference included from sectors such as leather, apparel, sports, electronics, telecom, silk, gems and jewellery, cashew, and plastics.