OUR BUREAUMUMBAI, July 25: The revenue secretary, NK Singh today expressed confidence that achieving an export target of US $ 40 billion during 1997-98 is not very difficult. However, he acknowledged that there is a communication gap between the exporters and, customs and revenue department. ``What exporters have achieved is not because of us but inspite of us,'' admitted Singh.

Singh was addressing exporters meet organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisation(FIEO) on `How to reach the export target of $ 40 billion for the current year 1997-98' and how to get more revenue by way of income tax, customs and excise.

FIEO president, Ramu Deora brought to light various contentious issues plaguing the exporting community. He said,``the government's target will be successful only if these policies are implemented in their true spirit.''

He stressed that the problem faced by middle level exporters should be immediately dealt with as they are the backbone of the economy.

He further said that the same facilities should be provided to the merchant exporters as 46 percent of the foreign exchange is regularly collected from them by the revenue department.

He said,``There are certain measures which need to be undertaken by the government to motivate and encourage exporters and help them realise their potential. He further said,``small and medium exporters who contribute 60 percent of the country's total exports are the worst affected due to the existing red-tapism in the government department.''

He said that the reversal of Modvat was a step in the right direction. He further pointed out the inefficiency of the customs department in completing the DEEC book logging. ``Not a single DEEC book logging has been completed by the custom department inspite of several reminder,'' he said.

He further asked the customs department to hasten up the paper work and make life easy for the exporters.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.