In a significant move to spur ecommerce exports and provide a fillip to homegrown micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced the extension of incentives under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for ecommerce exports. The minister shared this development during an event organized by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Thursday.
Goyal expressed, “The government will be extending RoDTEP benefits for exports through ecommerce.” He emphasized that the detailed incentives would be officially notified by the DGFT in the coming weeks.
The RoDTEP scheme is designed to offer refunds on taxes, duties, and levies incurred by exporters during the manufacturing and distribution of goods, filling gaps not covered by other reimbursement mechanisms at the central, state, or local levels.
Government sources revealed that the union commerce ministry is actively working on instituting the necessary IT framework and other enablers for the seamless extension of the RoDTEP scheme to ecommerce exporters.
This strategic move is expected to not only boost ecommerce exports but also provide crucial incentives to empower MSMEs. The government aims to facilitate the achievement of its ambitious target of reaching $1 trillion worth of merchandise exports by 2030.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the DGFT and logistics startup Shiprocket, outlining collaborative efforts for capacity building and handholding sessions under the DGFT’s ecommerce outreach programme.
In his address, Minister Goyal provided insights into the upcoming ecommerce policy, noting that the proposed rules are in the final stages of discussion. He expressed optimism about unveiling the policy in the near future.
The extension of RoDTEP benefits comes at a time when the DGFT and the Centre have taken various measures to stimulate ecommerce exports. Collaborative initiatives with the Department of Revenue, partnerships with the Department of Post, and tie-ups with major ecommerce platforms demonstrate a comprehensive approach to fortify and expand India’s position in the global ecommerce landscape.
