Mumbai, Aug 22 (UNI) Highlighting the surplus in wheat and rice production this year, Union Commerce Secretary G K Pillai today urged exporters to be proactive and take advance action on export of foodgrains, especially non-basmati rice, once the current ban is lifted by November.

Participating in an open house discussion, organised by the Federation of Indian Exporter Organisations (FIEO) here, Mr Pillai said the exporters should take stock of the situation and not act only after a decision on export of banned foodgrains was taken by the Government.

He said over the next three to four years food prices would continue to be high.

Mr Pillai said with the new server of the customs department expected to be operational by the year, the connectivity of ports through EDI would be fully awailable for exporters and trade speeded up.

During the interactive session with the member organisations of FIEO, Mr Pillai and other senior Central officials discussed various issues concerning the exporters, including focus market scheme, utilisation of DEPB credit and duty free import against export of curry power besides issues relating to advance lincencing system. Clarifications pertaining to customs and excise duty besides Service tax were also raised by the members.

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