Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), functioning under the ministry of commerce and industry, Government of India, has constituted a Goods and Services Tax (GST) facilitation cell to assist and advice exporters, trade and industry for smooth transition from present tax regime to GST regime with effect from July 1, 2017.

Functioning from DGFT headquarters in New Delhi, the GST facilitation cell is headed by Mr Nikunj Kumar Srivastava, Add DGFT and comprises two other officers Mr Rakesh Kumar Joint DGFT([email protected]) and Mr Kaushlendra Pratap Singh Deputy DGFT([email protected]. Exporters can email their queries concerning GST and pertaining to FTP to these officers.

Similarly, all regional offices of DGFT have constituted GST facilitation cell, which would be headed by head of the regional office i.e. additional DGFT/ joint DGFT with other two officers of the rank of deputy DGFT or assistant DGFT.

Recently, DG, DGFT also convened a meeting of stakeholders (FIEO/ trade/ industry) to understand the issues being faced by them in GST system. These issues have been taken up with department of revenue and GST Network (GSTN), who have informed that most of the issues have already been resolved.

Earlier this month, DGFT, jointly with FIEO, had also organised an outreach programme to educate the exporters about GST regime. This programme was attended by large number of exporters.

Ajay Bhalla, director general DGFT addressed the exporters and explained them about all aspects of GST including benefits that will accrue to them because of automatic and quick refund of all taxes paid on inputs.

DG also responded to many queries of the exporters regarding various export promotion schemes, filing of GST returns and claiming refund.

It may be noted that earlier Department of Commerce had announced aligning the mid-term review of Foreign Trade Policy with roll out of GST for the convenience of exporters and industry.