New Delhi, June 26: A high powered inter-ministerial committee has been set up to resolve the inter-agency issues for enabling easy clearance of imports and exports. The committee, headed by chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), would include director-general of foreign trade, additional secretaries in the ministries of textiles, shipping, civil aviation and health, besides CBEC member in charge of customs, an official release said here today.

Joint secretary (customs) would be the member secretary of the committee.

The high-level committee is a major trade facilitation measure to ensure better coordination among the various ministries and speed up clearance for exports and imports.

The committee, set up in pursuance of the recommendations of the Kelkar panel on indirect taxes, would also help in reducing transaction costs for exports and imports, it said.

The committee is also empowered to appoint sub-committees as and when required, the release said.

Bureau Report