EEPC urges state governments for export facilitation

Kolkata, Feb 28 (UNI) Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), the apex body of engineering exporters from the country, today urged the state governments to take a proactive role for enhancement of exports from the states.

Addressing the EEPC(ER) award presentation ceremony for 2005-06 here, Chairman Rakesh Shah said, ''The state governments need to create an enabling environment for promoting exports from their respective states.'' Eloaborating on the problems faced by exporters in West Bengal, Mr Shah said refund of VAT has been a major problem and most of the exporters in the state were yet to receive VAT refund since 2005-06.

''It is to be noted that exporters have already paid income tax on the VAT refund due and unless the VAT is refunded in time, the working capital of the units will be affected considerably,'' he observed.

Speaking on the occasion, State Cottage and Small Scale Industries Minister Manabendra Mukherjee said he would take up the matter in the meeting of the cabinet committee on industry.

''VAT refund due to exporters is an issue which draws attention and I will take up the matter in the meeting to be held during the day,'' Mr Mukherjee said.

The function was also graced by German Consul General in Kolkata Guenter Wehrmann.

Export of engineering goods touched 27.11 billion US dollars during 2006-07 which was 33.28 per cent higher than the engineering exports of 20.34 billion US dollars in 2005-06.

During the first seven months of the current fiscal, the country has exported engineering items worth 17.11 billion US dollars.

UNI ADG PL AKM 1457