G K Pillai takes over as Commerce Secretary

New Delhi, Sept 30: Mr G K Pillai of 1972 batch of the Indian Administrative Service took over as Commerce Secretary here today.

He succeeds Mr S N Menon who superannuated.

Prior to his appointment as Commerce Secretary, Mr Pillai was Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, dealing with matters relating to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), RMTR (Regional and Multilateral Trade Relations) and UNCTAD.

He was also looking after matters pertaining to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EOUs) and is Chairman of the Board of Approvals (BOA) on SEZs and EOUs in the Department of Commerce.

He has represented the state and central government in delegations to the US, European Union (EU), Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Slovenia and United Kingdom (UK).

He is also Chairman of the Grievances Redressal Committee on matters relating to foreign trade and Regional Trade Arrangements (RTAs)/ Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)/ Preferential Trade Arrangements (PTAs).

Belonging to the Kerala cadre of the IAS, Mr Pillai had worked in diverse fields in the state government of Kerala including as District Collector of Quilon, Special Secretary for Industries, especially the traditional industries of cashew, coir and handlooms, Secretary, Health and as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Kerala.

In the central government, he had worked in the Ministries of Defence, Shipping and Transport and in the Ministry of Home Affairs, dealing with the North Eastern states.

UNI