In order to encourage the exporters and have an intrinsic growth FIEO instituted the Regional Awards which is given at the state level to exporters who have excelled in their respective fields and states. The states of Northern India play a significant role in India’s total exports and FIEO felicitated the top performers in various categories from this region at the Northern Region Export Excellence Awards on March 30, 2017 at New Delhi. The Awards were given by K K Jalan, Secretary, Department of MSME; Rakesh Srivastava, Secretary NCBC, Govt of India and A K Bhalla, DGFT; Also present on the occasion were S C Ralhan, President; G.K.Gupta, Vice President, and Ajay Sahai, DG & CEO, FIEO.
S C Ralhan, President FIEO in his welcome address congratulated all the Award winners and mentioned that by their excellent performances they have become role models for the entire exporting fraternity. He further added that during this challenging period India recently witnessed double digit growth in exports in February 2017 after a long time. Exports during February 2017 exhibited a positive growth of 17.48 per cent in dollar terms valued at USD 24.5 billion as compared to USD 20.8 billion during February, 2016. This has all been possible with the professional approach of exporters and support the Government has extended from time to time to the exporting community. Going by the current trend, we expect to reach around exports of USD 270 bn this fiscal.
K K Jalan, Secretary MSME while addressing the gathering said that exports are crucial for country to boost growth and create employment. Jalan said that MSME sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy over the last five decades. Our Government has always believed that strong performance of this sector is necessary for us to achieve the objective of rapid and inclusive growth. He congratulated the award winners and said exporters should take advantage of the various MSME schemes.
Speaking on the occasion, A K Bhalla, DGFT said that it gives immense happiness to see so many exporters getting the award, which demonstrate their excellent export management capabilities. He further apprised that the Ministry is currently undertaking the stakeholders’ consultation for the mid-term review of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) and there is going to be certain changes (in the FTP) due to the implementation of GST. He also sought views of FIEO members for the review of the FTP. He mentioned that the GST will subsume excise, service tax and other local levies.
G K Gupta, Vice President, FIEO while proposing vote of thanks mentioned that the prevailing global economic environment makes it imperative for the exporters to explore new markets and diversify their product range. He informed that as per world economic outlook update, economic activity in both Advanced economies and Emerging markets and Developing Economies is expected to accelerate in 2017 & 18, with global growth projected to be 3.4 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively. He congratulated all the award winners for their excellent performances.
Leading industry heads, Government officials, Representatives from International Diplomatic Community and representatives of Trade Associations and exporters attended the function. The awards were conferred upon 82 exporters(including financial institution) from Northern Region for 1st & 2nd Set of Export Excellence Award.
