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Speaking to reporters after addressing Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) members in Chennai today she said FTA and multilateral will run in parallel, though multilateral arrangements will help the exporters to play a level field and it will be given first preference.
The major agreement which India is pursuing is co-operation with East Asian Co-operation including Asean countries, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zeland. With Canada, India is talking for CEPA.
She added, at a time when India's export is coming down the Centre is taking various measures to help the exporters.
The Ministry is holding talks with various stakeholders, including exporters, state administration and others to boost the exports.
Some of the major issues raised by the stakeholders includes infrastructure bottel necks including high transaction cost, port and airport access, traffic management, integration of software with various agencies and specific concern like interest subvention.
On Chinese Yuan effect and what her Ministry is doing to help exporters, the Commerce Secretary said their is no universal blanked measures. Some sectors and commodities are benefiting due to Yuan.
For instance, steel manufacturers are saying alloy are cheaper, pharma companies are saying it helps them since API would be cheaper.
India's foreign exchange reserve is safe and Indian currency is also witnessing devaluation. RBI is also vigilant and said will intervene if required.
"As of now no sector has approached for specific relief," she said.
Stakeholders meet on Sept 10 to review SEZs
The Commerce Ministry has called for a stakeholder meeting to discuss issues relates to Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on September 10.
The Union Commerce Secretary Rita Teotia said that while SEZ has slowdown in some parts of the country, in some states SEZs are flourishing.
We want to understand what kind of infrastructure and benefits state governments are giving to these SEZs to perform well.
"We will reassess and review the entire things relates to SEZ," she said.
