The Hindu : Karnataka News : `Dumping of used IT goods must be prevented'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 11, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

`Dumping of used IT goods must be prevented'

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, MARCH 10. The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), K.T. Chacko, has indicated that the Centre may reconsider the permission for importing second-hand goods in the telecommunication and information technology sectors as the rate of obsolescence is high.

Participating in an open-house meeting on foreign trade policy organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) here, Mr. Chacko said that since equipment in these sectors becomes obsolete in view of rapid technological advances, India should not become a dumping ground. The directorate will be guided by experts on the issue, he added.

Mr. Chacko said the directorate is formulating the annual amendment to the foreign trade policy, and inputs provided by various organisations and commodities boards are being analysed. The DGFT and the Ministry of Commerce are working on reducing cumbersome procedures, he added.

About the demand of the jewellery sector to allow a lead time for exports, after value addition of imported gold, he said the DGFT will be guided by the Council for Gem and Jewellery, which has suggested that there is no need for extending the time limit.

The Commissioner of Customs, T.R. Chandrashekar, said export houses have to work on quality, cost benefits and prompt deliveries. Incentives help only to a limited extent, he felt.

The Vice-Chairman of the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, T.V. Maruthi, said the issue of service tax on clearing charges and job work for textile exporters has to be looked into. The Convenor of the Committee on Agro Exports of FIEO, Walter D'Souza, said Karnataka was poised to touch Rs. 50,000 crores in exports in the current financial year. The Minister for Industries and Infrastructure, P.G.R. Sindhia, said Karnataka is giving importance to infrastructure development and providing incentives to attract investment. The acting Director General of FIEO, Ajay Sahai, welcomed the gathering.

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