New "Trade Connect" Platform to Boost Indian Exports

The government has announced a new online platform called "Trade Connect" to help small businesses and exporters. This platform aims to make it easier for these businesses to connect with important people and organizations involved in international trade.

Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, explained that Trade Connect will provide useful information to businesses. This includes details about global trade events and the benefits of FTAs with other countries. 

One of the main goals of Trade Connect is to help Indian businesses communicate better with Indian embassies abroad, export promotion councils, and other government agencies. This could make it simpler for businesses to sell their products overseas.

In other news, Prasada mentioned that some areas in India are doing very well in exports. Jamnagar, for example, exported goods worth $10 billion in just two months (April and May) of this year. Other successful areas include Kanchipuram, Mumbai, Pune, Kachchh, and Surat.

The government is also thinking about giving discounts to certain groups when they need permits from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). They're considering an 80% discount for businesses run by women and a 50% discount for small and medium-sized businesses. This idea is still being discussed by the government department responsible for promoting industry and trade.