The Hon’ble Union Minister for Commerce & Industry yesterday chaired a meeting with the senior representatives of all Export Promotion Councils, Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) and Commodity Boards under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.rnrnThe meeting reviewed and sought inputs from EPCs for the Foreign Trade Policy and their views on steps that may be taken to boost India’s exports. Pre-budget inputs from EPCs was also taken so that they may be sent to the Finance Ministry.rnrnThe Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) was represented by Chairman Pramod Kumar Agrawal and Executive Director Sabyasachi Ray. Their presentation covered various policy and procedural issues related to the different segments of the gems and jewellery industry.rnrnIn a press release, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said that the meeting which went on for nearly five hours focused on a wide range of issues. Each and every issue that the Councils are facing while exporting merchandise and services was raised. Many also gave their feedback on the various initiatives that are being taken by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to ease lending and credit availability to exporters. The EPCs also gave their views on India’s FTAs/ PTAs with other countries especially ASEAN.rnrnAt the end of the meeting, it was decided by the Minister, in concurrence with all EPCs and Boards, that another meeting will be held after the Budget in February 2020 to review the tasks achieved and those still pending, that were discussed in yesterday’s meeting, the Ministry said.rnrnThe release also noted that all EPCs and Commodity Boards expressed their appreciation for time given by Minister of Commerce and Industry to hear out even the smallest of their problems and the prompt manner in which some of them were disposed of during the course of the meeting and the assurance given by the Minister to solve the long standing issues of certain EPCs.rnrnThirty-seven EPCs, FIEO and three Commodity Boards of the Department of Commerce attended the meeting.  Also Commerce Secretary and other senior officers of both Department of Commerce and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade were present at the meeting.