In a bid to promote ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and providing quick access to information to importers and exporters, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry recently launched DGFT ‘Trade Facilitation’ mobile app during the online video conference.

Piyush Goyal, Minister, Ministry of Commerce & Industry during the launch said that very often, the simple trade-related process becomes cumbersome, and when they are available with a touch of a button, like with a mobile app, we will ensure the Ease of doing business and the speedy growth in international trade. “We desire to move towards paperless, automated processing systems, simple procedures for trade players, online data exchange between departments & digital payments & acknowledgements,” he added.

Goyal said that in the post-covid world, tech-enabled governance will play a key role in determining India’s growth and competitiveness. He said that a single-window approach has enabled tech transformation of service delivery in India. It has also liberated last-mile beneficiary from location based constraints, and enhanced ease of doing business. 

He said that the progress in technology helps develop the economy and strengthen Indian firms in the competitive global market.

Lauding the initiative of DGFT, Goyal said that the new Trade Facilitation app is a step in the right direction as it provides easy, omni-channel access to various trade related processes and enquiries at the touch of button. He said that truly imbibing Prime Minister’s vision of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance, DGFT is standing up for businesses as a true leader with e-issuance of certificates, QR scan process to validate documents. It will reduce transaction cost and time for imports and exports related processes, and usher in transparency. He said that ‘Trade Facilitation’ mobile app is a symbol of India’s idea of Aatmanirbharta – Making governance easy, economical & accessible, as it symbolises shift in traditional thinking.

The app addresses key services and is READY for Industry 4.0:

• Real-time trade policy updates, notifications, application status alert, tracking help requests.
• Explore item-wise Export-Import policy & statistics, Track IEC Portfolio
• AI-based 24*7 assistance for trade queries
• DGFT services made accessible to all
• Trade Dashboard accessible anytime & anywhere

The Minister said that ‘Mobile’ India creates an international trade opportunities for MSMEs and foreign players. It will enable creation of a quality conscious and cost-competitive domestic industry. Further, it will significantly contribute to export target of $1 Trillion by 2025 and GDP target of $5 Trillion. He said that for advanced App development, more inputs & ideas of all stakeholders should be invited for further refinement which will help in expediting our technological transformation. Goyal also called for engagement with technology and language specialists to develop governance apps in various regional languages, which will support the spirit of oneness amongst our citizens.

The new mobile app of DGFT provides the following features:

• Share Trade Notices, Public Notices easily
• Raise and track help requests in real-time
• Real-time Alerts on status of applications
• Track your IEC Portfolio – IEC, Applications, Authorizations
• 24x7 Virtual Assistance for Trade Related Queries
• Explore Item-wise Export-Import Policy and Statistics
• Access all services offered by DGFT in App
• Trade Dashboard Anytime Anywhere
• Real-time Trade Policy Updates and Event Notifications
  

The App will be available on Android and iOS platforms. The App can also be downloaded from the DGFT website. It has been developed by the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), as per the directions of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

Experts from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) believes that the app is first-of-its-kind initiative to boost small exporters to obtain faster clearances, certifications and approvals. They also believe that the app will boost new companies and especially will boost new women entrepreneurs. With the mobile app, information flow will be standardised as the exporters need not rely on the government personnel to respond for information.