We organized a webinar on “Changing Landscape of India’s Export Trade Control Regime” in association with the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES) and NASSCOM. Mr. K.M. Harilal ITS, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Kochi was the keynote speaker. Mr. Krishna Barad, Partner/ Customs & International Trade, Indirect Tax, BDO India spoke on the subject, Ms. Garima Prakash, Deputy Manager - Public Policy, NASSCOM detailed on the technological aspects. Mr. K.K. Pillai, Regional Chairman, EPCES also spoke at the event.

Mr. Harilal in his keynote address gave the participants a background of SCOMET and how it came to be. He spoke about the mandatory approvals, authorizations, certificates and licenses that units exporting products classified under SCOMET should procure. He pointed out that not many exporters are aware of this requirement. He also briefed on the penalties and legal action that would be taken against the exporters not adhering to the regulations.

Mr. Krishna Barad in his presentation covered the Export Trade Control measures in other parts of the world like USA, EU, Australia and Asia. He listed the ‘dual use’ items that comes under SCOMET which find civilian as well as military applications. He explained the Export Control Classification Number and the identification procedure. He explained the impact SCOMET has on importers, exporters, buyers, vendors and suppliers. An overview of the categories and subcategories of the SCOMET items were provided by Mr. Barad. He detailed on the SCOMET application process with the DGFT.

Ms. Garima Prakash spoke on the technological aspects of SCOMET such as intangible transfers, electronics, technology, telecommunications, information security. She also briefed on the way forward for the Export control regime such as bulk licenses, fully digitizes and integrated licensing portal and query helpdesk.

Participants included exporters, SEZ units, manufacturing units, CXOs, business owners etc.