The Union Commerce and Industry Ministry is planning to co-locate its scattered regional offices in Mumbai into a single location to boost efficiency and reduce administrative costs. After a meeting with senior officials, Minister Piyush Goyal said around 20 offices across 12 organisations currently operate at different sites, occupying lakhs of square feet and carrying separate housekeeping, security and admin expenses. The plan aims to create a one-stop ecosystem for exporters, MSMEs and startups, with modern conferencing to connect businesses to 46 organisations.
The government has clarified that goods moved from SEZ units to India’s domestic market, after paying applicable duties, will be treated as imports when re-exported. As a result, exporters can claim duty drawback on such re-exports, aiming to remove inconsistencies and improve cash flow and certainty for businesses.
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Indian exporters are urging the government to remove the cap on interest subvention, saying the current support is too low to withstand rising global trade uncertainty. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations wants the scheme revised to offer stronger relief, particularly for firms hit by higher borrowing costs and unstable export demand.
Experts say the government can better support exporters by resolving gaps and ambiguities in GST rules. A key concern is whether exporters must pay GST under the reverse charge mechanism for bank charges deducted by an overseas bank when importers remit sales proceeds. Clear guidance is urged to avoid unexpected tax liabilities and compliance confusion.
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