Noida: The Gautam Budh Nagar district administration and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade met industry stakeholders to review export promotion strategies under the District as Export Hub initiative. Exporters flagged delays in EPCG and Advance Authorisation approvals, difficulties in updating Importer-Exporter Code profiles, customs clearance backlogs, digital signatures on online portals, and pending Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) refunds.Officials discussed measures to improve trade facilitation and address these concerns as the district works to consolidate its position as a leading export hub.GB Nagar accounts for nearly 49% of the state’s total exports. The district is home to a large concentration of manufacturing units across sectors such as electronics, engineering goods, apparel, handicrafts and consumer products, making it a key contributor to the state’s export economy, officials said.Exporters at the meeting called for improved communication and greater local representation from trade-related authorities, citing challenges arising from the increasing digitisation of export processes and the absence of Ministry of Commerce officials in the district.“The industries have sought better communication as most processes are now online. Since there are no local officials of the Ministry of Commerce and limited local representation, exporters often face challenges in resolving issues. We are trying to ensure that these concerns are addressed,” said Pankaj Nirvan, deputy commissioner, Industries Centre, GB Nagar.Exporters also flagged customs-related issues, including delays in cargo inspections at Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and repeated queries regarding valuation and classification of goods. Industry representatives said that quicker resolution of such issues would improve competitiveness and reduce transaction costs for exporters.“The Noida International Airport and the cargo terminal may not have an immediate direct impact on exports, but the long-term significance could be substantial. The development of a cargo hub in the district is expected to strengthen logistics infrastructure, improve connectivity, reduce transportation time and costs, and provide a major boost to both imports and exports in the coming years,” Nirvan added.Officials said they assured participants that the concerns raised would be examined and that efforts would be made to streamline procedures wherever possible.
