During the Open House Meet organized on 14th August 2017 at Panaji , Goa, Guest of Honour, Dr. Sonia Sethi, IAS, Additional Director General Foreign Trade, Government of India, announced that weekly open house meetings will be held in Goa at the DGFT office. This will be held on every Mondays to address export related issues from the State. This interaction will resolve several issues, pertaining to exports and will also encourage SMEs, she added. Dr. Sethi emphasized on the role of DGFT in foreign trade and the various policy measures and initiatives taken by them to streamline exports and to relax the regulatory measures

Dr. Sethi, stressed, on the various trade notices and schemes, on the official website, so also the online interface, which has been initiated by DGFT to encourage MSMEs in obtaining information online which is now easily available. This will certainly facilitate export competitiveness. Dr. Sethi further informed the participants that Outreach Programmes with State Government and Industry bodies will be conducted on a regular basis to assist exporters and also to encourage SMEs foray into exports. She also assured that GST related problems for exporters are being addressed, although the transitional period will have its own teething problems. Almost over 400 queries on GST are being handled by the DGFT. She informed that IEC will now onwards screen the identity through Pan Cards. IEC and MEIS are online; also the various trade notices can be easily accessed through the DGFT website.
Mr. K.M. Harilal, ITS, Dy.Director, DGFT Goa, made a holistic presentation on the implications of GST and its implications on the Export Sector. His detailed the three important aspects, namely GST on FTP Schemes, Refunds and Draw Back Procedures and Export Procedures and Documentation which are most important aspects in the seamless implementation of the new GST Regime in the realm of the International Trade. Mr. Harilal also informed the delegates present, that he will be available in his office on every Monday to address all challenges that the MSME and Business Fraternity in Goa are facing at a Micro Level to facilitate International Trade from the State of Goa.
In her welcome address Ms. Rupa Naik, Director Projects, World Trade Centre Mumbai, emphasized on the role of WTC Goa and its initiative to facilitate exports through programmes, open house discussions and training programmes. Export growth is very important for the State and it is really imperative that more and more SMEs get directly involved, in foreign trade. The World Trade Centre Goa has organized similar trade promotional programmes with officials from Government of India and the State Government to initiate a dialogue, between Policy Makers and Business Community.
Mr. Manguirish Pai Raiker,Chairman, MSME Council, said that over 65% of exports are from the MSMEs and their issues related to exports should be resolved, to encourage as well as make their exports competitive. The State of Goa has tremendous opportunity to increase its exports particularly in fishing, mining, agro, food processing, IT and Pharma.
Mr. Satheesh Kumar, IRS, Assistant Commissioner, GST, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, along with Mr. K.M. Harilal, addressed the Open House Meet on GST and answered all the questions, pertaining to HSN Codes, Reverse Charge, Composition Scheme and Basic Procedures to file returns, under the new GST Regime.
Mr. Cyril Desouza, Assistant Director, Trade Promotion, World Trade Centre, Goa, while proposing the vote of thanks, elaborated on the collaborative efforts taken by the DGFT and World Trade Centre, both in Mumbai and Goa in jointly promoting the MSME Sector and International Trade from the State of Goa.
Seen in the picture from Left to Right: Mr. Mr. K.M. Harilal, ITS, Dy.Director, DGFT Goa, Ms. Rupa Naik, Projects, World Trade Centre Mumbai, Guest of Honour, Dr. Sonia Sethi, IAS, Additional Director General Foreign Trade, Mumbai and Mr. Manguirish Pai Raiker, Chairman, National Council for MSMEs, ASSOCHAM.