Santo Group, a prominent name in India's export industry, has formally raised key concerns affecting exporters and urged the Government of India to implement necessary policy reforms. These issues, if addressed, will significantly enhance the ease of doing business and remove bureaucratic hurdles that currently hinder export operations.

Key Issues Raised by Santo Group

1. Redundant RCMC Requirements – A New Form of License Raj

Exporters currently require multiple Registration-Cum-Membership Certificates (RCMCs) from various Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), such as the Spices Board, APEDA, and others, even if they already hold an FIEO RCMC. This requirement has led to unnecessary administrative burden, increased costs, and delays in the export process.

Santo Group’s Recommendation:

• Instead of mandating exporters to register with multiple councils, a single-window system should be established under an umbrella body like FIEO, where separate departments handle different product categories.
• This will ensure that exporters need to interact with only one organization, reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and promoting seamless trade operations.

2. Inefficiency in Document Verification at Customs/DGFT

The customer support at customs/DGFT has led to delays in document verification, as the support teams lack direct access to the concerned officers. Even for minor clerical tasks like verifying uploaded documents, exporters face unnecessary escalations, causing shipment delays.

Santo Group’s Recommendation:

• Empower customs support teams with the ability to directly verify uploaded documents, reducing reliance on manual interventions and speeding up clearance processes.
• Introduce a dedicated resolution team within customs to handle minor verification tasks without requiring exporter escalation.

3. Export Data Privacy Concerns

Exporters’ sensitive shipment data, including buyer details, pricing, and volumes, is being openly sold in the market, leading to unethical practices and business risks. Given that export data is confidential and strategically significant, its unauthorized sale can harm India’s trade competitiveness.

Santo Group’s Recommendation:

• The Government should enforce strict regulations prohibiting the sale of export data.
• Introduce penalties for unauthorized access and ensure exporters’ trade secrets are protected from misuse.

A Call for Policy Reforms

Santo Group has formally submitted these concerns to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and FIEO, urging immediate action to simplify regulatory processes and protect exporters’ interests.

"As India moves towards a global leadership position in trade, exporters need a more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly environment," said Shri Abhinav Kr., co-founder of Santo Group. "We believe that by simplifying the RCMC process, improving customs verification, and safeguarding export data, India can truly become an export powerhouse."

Santo Group remains committed to working closely with policymakers and industry stakeholders to drive positive reforms that will benefit the entire export community. The firm looks forward to proactive steps from the government in addressing these pressing issues.

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