Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched a ‘Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk’ to assist exporters, importers, and other trade stakeholders in navigating emerging global trade challenges.
Purpose of Helpdesk
To address issues related to:
- Import surges and dumping of goods
- Tariff changes and counter-tariff measures
- Export barriers and global trade restrictions
- Logistics and supply chain disruptions
- Financial or banking-related issues
- Regulatory or compliance challenges
Key Functions
Centralized Assistance Platform:
- Single-window support for the export-import (EXIM) community.
- Users can submit issues through the DGFT website.
Issue Escalation and Coordination:
- Collects trade-related issues concerning: Other Ministries and Departments and State Government agencies
- Coordinates with relevant bodies to resolve trade problems.
Real-Time Monitoring of Global Trade Trends: Actively monitors:
- Global tariff policy changes
- Import surges affecting Indian industries
- Export-related challenges from international partners
Support for Strategic Policy Formulation: Helps in identifying:
- New export opportunities in global markets
- Risks from unfair trade practices like dumping or sudden import spikes
Why This Helpdesk is Needed?
Dynamic global trade environment with frequent:
- Tariff hikes and protectionist measures
- Counter-tariff actions by countries
India faces both challenges and opportunities in exports and imports due to these changes.
Need for real-time trade intelligence and responsive government support.
Significance:
- Enhances India’s export competitiveness by quickly resolving barriers.
- Strengthens trade facilitation mechanisms for smoother import-export operations.
- Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India by guarding against unfair imports and promoting Indian exports.