By IANS,
Kolkata : To boost overseas trade, the government is mulling extending to other areas the benefits that e-commerce platforms in Delhi and Mumbai get for delivering products outside India, a commerce ministry official said here Friday.
“We certainly intend to expand the system to other posts as soon as possible. Though it is difficult to give a specific time frame, we hope it will start in other places by the end of this fiscal (FY 2012-13),” Lalit B. Singhal, joint director general of foreign trade, said.
Singhal said an inter-ministerial committee constituted by the finance ministry would expeditiously look into various aspects of e-commerce to enable shipments through designated posts.
“The system can be extended to other areas only if there is adequate infrastructure. The decision will be taken only once the committee places its recommendations,” he said.
“This initiative, a part of the annual supplement to the trade policy passed June 5, could boost exports of handicrafts, gems & jewellery, carpets, music CDs and electronic items from the country,” added Singhal.
Exports shipped through courier and e-commerce platforms from Delhi and Mumbai are now eligible for incentives that include interest subsidy, tax benefits and easy and affordable credit.