Although the policy has not made any reference to providing adequate credit to the trade and services sector, it does have some encouraging features on promoting private sector for infrastructure devlopment for the trade sector and consideration of necessary amendments in the provision on labour laws and Industrial Disputes Act to resolve the problems faced by the trading units.

The Phd chamber of commerce and industry (Phdcci) has been instrumental in working jointly with the state government right from the conceptual stage. The chamber is also working closely with the governments of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in the formulation of trade policy for these states.

A salient feature of the MP trade policy according to the chamber is the constitution of a commercial advisory committee in the department of commerce and industry under the chairmanship of state minister for commerce and industry. Thecommittee will constitute representatives from the industry and trade organisations, and principal secretaries of the concerned department.

The committee will advise the state government on trade related law and administrative matters, bring to their notice the difficulties being faced by the trade sector and suggest remedies for their simplification.

The new trade policy lays emphasis on developing world class infrastructure for providing a fillip to trade sector. In this regard, the state government has decided to make efforts to accord international status to the airports at Bhopal, Indore, Raipur and Khajuraho in order to promote industry and international trade form the state, which is welcome move according to the Phdcci.

In a move towards encouraging exports, the construction of Air cargo complex at Indore is under progress. Air cargo complexes would be established at other places in the state with the help of private sector as per requirement. The government is considering the imposition of tolltax for improving the road facilities and for their better maintenance. The government has already initiated steps in the regard. Locations for establishing commercial centres would be identified in cities selected by the housing and environment department.

These places would be made available to the private sector through auction, which would be a transparent process container depots have already been established in the cities of Indore, Gwalior and Raipur. Private sector assistance is to be encouraged for establishing container deports in other cities of the state.