Ease of Doing Business - Manoj Mehta

Many times, the achievement will take time to show its impact on the ground. The ranking is done on the basis of various parameters fixed by the international organisation. Method of evaluation is complex. Data is collected from the country. Surveys are conducted, after which the analysis of statistics goes into fixing the rank. It is an effort by each and every country to upgrade her rank in the list. It appears that India has not only improved but the improvement is quite fast and on many fronts. The ranking is the effect of total improvement.

Several government agencies are involved. Many forms are prescribed for different activities. The process is laid down. The requirement of documents and details are mentioned for different government work. Licence / permit / approval / certificate is also in existence for public work.

Various Acts, rules are to be complied with. To jump the rank, the government has to improve on all above aspects effectively, quickly and efficiently.

Let us consider, export-import activities, as one such area in which reforms are introduced by the present NDA government since April 2017.     

1. ‘e’ sealing of containers has been introduced replacing the earlier practice of supervised sealing by departmental officers. It has been enhanced the integrity of cargo as RFID tamper proof ‘e’ seals which are being used to seal containers now: When the container is filled in with goods, the doors are closed and the container is moving from factory to CFS / port for the purpose of exports. There is a time gap. Traditionally, the containers were sealed manually and in the customs, the checking of the manual seal was done to ensure that the goods are the same / not changed. Now, the government has improved upon this sealing system and have introduced Electronic Sealing which is safe and technology based.  
    
2. Mandatory filing of Bills of Entry within a specified time: Bills of Entry is a customs document which an importer is required to file. Earlier, the time allowed to file the Bill of Entry was very long. This has resulted in pending submission, deal, and manipulation. The average cycle of import clearance was very long as compared to International Standards. The government has strictly taken steps to reduce the time at each stage. The beginning is from submission of BE in the shortest time (24-48 hours).
    
3. ‘e’ SANCHIT: This is a new platform on which the Customs Broker / Importer files all the documents for the purpose of import. One of the objectives is to avoid human intervention. The need for importer meeting custom officer has reduced to a minimum. This will also reduce corruption and delay. The entire process is automated. Use of technology will benefit the importer.  
    
4.  Direct Port Entry: Containers having export cargo was required to go to CFS for completing export formalities. After the procedure was over container was permitted to enter the port for onward journey of exports. This was resulting in to delay and additional cost. Now, on a select basis, certain exporters are given a facility of Direct Port Entry without routing the container through CFS. This is a boon to the exporters.
    
5.  Direct Port Delivery: Similar to above but on the reverse basis, the container was delivered to the importer via CFS. Importers meeting certain criteria are now allowed to have the facility of Direct Port Delivery.   
    
6.  AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) scheme is strongly being advocated by the government in recent time. Exporters, importers and logistics companies are being recognised with AEO status if they fulfil the criteria. This is international recognition which confirms that AEO holder is a safe and secure entity that is suitable for global business. 

This Periodic Report has been penned by the chairman of All India Federation of Master Printers' Export Promotion - Manoj Mehta