DGFT announces extension of FTP till 31st March 2021 EPCH contributes Rs 25 Lakh to PM CARE Fund, EPCH

On Apr 1, 2020

New Delhi – In order to provide relief to the handicrafts exporters and help them withstand the challenges posed by the current crisis, various representations received from exporters and different handicraft Association from across the country were represented by the EPCH at the highest level including Ministry of finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Textiles. The council also had two video conference meetings with Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, informed Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH

Shri Kumar further informed that Government of India taking cognizance of the EPCH’s representations have extended the FTP 2015-2020 by one year till 31st March 2021, hence giving extension to all the schemes including MEIS under the FTP.

The extension by implication means continuation of all following schemes in the Foreign Trade Policy:-

DGFT has extended the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 and the Hand book of Procedure 2015-2020 from 31.3.2020 to 31.3.2021.
All schemes in the Foreign Trade Policy including MEIS, Advance Authorisation, DFIA , EPCG, EOU, Deemed Export etc extended till 31st March 2021.
MEIS shipment with Let Export Order date falling between 1st Feb -31st May 2019, the applications can be filed within 15 months as against the normal time limit of 12 months.
The validity of all Status Holder certificates extended till 30th June, 2020.
Advance Authorization – where validity of authorization or Export Obligation period is expiring between 1st Feb to 31st July 2020, the period of validity or Export Obligation is automatically extended by six months from the date of expiry.
DFIA Authorisation – where validity of authorization is expiring between 1st Feb to 31st July 2020, the period of validity is automatically extended by six months from the date of expiry.
EPCG Authorisation – where validity of authorization is expiring between 1st Feb to 31st July 2020, the period of validity is automatically extended by six months from the date of expiry .
It has been decided that the regional authorities of DGFT will not insist on valid RCMC issued by EPC’s (in cases where the same has expired on or before 31 March 2020) for the applicants for any incentives / authorizations till 30 September 2020.

Shri Kumar said that the steps taken by Govt. of India in these difficult times to rescue the Exporters will surely boost the morale of the handicrafts exporting community and he hoped that such initiatives will help everyone sail through this crisis.

Adding further, Shri Kumar said that EPCH has made a contribution of Rs. 25 lakhs towards the PM CARE Fund and the staff in the EPCH is separately contributing one day salary in the Fund and urged the exporting community to come forward and contribute and help the Government fight this pandemic to provide security to the poor and needy.

PM CARE Fund