Commerce Ministry's 100-Day Plan Includes SEZ Amendments, Trade Agreement SOP
The department has been firming up its standard operating procedure on trade negotiations and a broader FTA strategy, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said.
As the Modi 3.0 government settles in, ministries continue firming up their 100-day action plan, with the Commerce Ministry working on a host of topics, from outlining a strategy for FTA negotiations to long-awaited Special Economic Zone amendments.
Following the Chintan Shivir on Free Trade Agreement strategy last month, the department has been firming up its standard operating procedure on trade negotiations and a broader FTA strategy, said Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal at a trade briefing.
Barthwal indicated on Tuesday that the SOP will likely be finalised as part of the 100-day agenda.
The FTA with Oman will also likely be finalised within this window, according to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Differences are being ironed out on import duty relief sought by Oman on petrochemicals, the official said.
Other topics that the ministry is looking to discuss include SEZ amendments, ramping up work on e-commerce export hubs, improving the newly launched 'e-connect' portal and the Global Trade Promotion Organisation.
The ministry has been signing MoUs with e-commerce players and delivery partners—including DHL, Amazon and Shiprocket—since November in an effort to increase export potential at the district level.
