CII calls for lowering freight, power costs for Indian exporters

Budhia, managing director of the Patton Group, told CII's National Exports Summit that there is also a need to conduct an internal export promotion and marketing exercise to get more businesses on the export markets.

"Can we consider lower freight and power costs for exporters? It is not required to have subsidies but calibrated rates so that exporters are not cross subsidising other consumers. In this regard, including electricity costs under GST [goods and services tax] could be a way out to lower tax incidence," Budhia said.

The government can consider a carve-out under the National Logistics Policy for investment in trade-related infrastructure and states should be encouraged to work on industrial park infrastructure, connectivity modes and faster clearances, he said.

The country also needs its own shipping regulator and shipping line to protect Indian exporters during turbulent times, he added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)