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2020 ] FOREIGN TRADE POLICY E9

As part of Digital India programme and for Ease of Doing Business,
DGFT has undertaken an initiative to revamp its services delivery mechanisms to
promote and facilitate foreign trade. As a step in that direction, the first phase of
a new digital platform of DGFT is scheduled to Go-Live on 13th July 2020. The
platform will become accessible through the existing website :
https://www.dgft.gov.in
2. In the first phase, the website will be catering to the services related
to the IEC issuance, modification, amendments etc. processes along with a Chat-
bot (a virtual assistant) catering to queries of users. Other online modules relat-
ing to Advance Authorisation, EPCG, and Exports Obligation Discharge which
are part of next phase will be rolled out subsequently after the first phase stabi-
lizes.
The following important points may be noted with regard to the new
platform design :
(i) Access to the services would be through a username and password
based system. The first time logins/user ID may be created through a
registration process on the new platform.
(ii) For user ID creation, registered mobile number/email ids of the IEC
holders will be a mandatorily required. The same will be authenticat-
ed by the process of OTP/email based authentication process.
(iii) Users would have to link their login IDs to their specific IECs. The
process of linking would be available post login through Digital Sig-
nature/Aadhaar based e-Sign.
(iv) Digital Signature (DSC)/Aadhaar based e-Sign will be required for applying
and modifying IEC or adding or updating the IEC-linked users. Users may
take necessary actions for procuring/updating their information etc.
on the DSC/Aadhaar.
3. The user profile can be then used by the IEC holders to engage with
DGFT and its services. This will enable the user to electronically file their appli-
cation related to IEC, AA, EPCG, including amendments & redemption, monitor-
ing the status of the application, raising queries, replying to the deficiencies etc.
among other services related to the Foreign Trade policy.
4. The new platform is also designed for smooth migration of legacy
(older) data of DGFT and its stakeholders. The existing data will be used for the
online processing of the previous applications henceforth. The users will be able
to monitor the status of their applications and the pending obligations thereof.
These numerous features should significantly benefit the trade community. Us-
ers are requested to familiarize themselves about the new platform and its fea-
tures.
5. DGFT RAs are directed to intimate the staff/officials about the
launch of the new platform. All the staff/officials must have an NIC/GOV email
ids with updated mobile numbers. The same will be used in the Back Office (BO)
portal of the new platform. RAs are also directed to spread awareness about the
new platform among the trade stakeholders. Staff/Officials may also refer to the
content about the platform provided to them during the training sessions.
6. It is further informed that for the purposes of go-live of first phase
EXCISE LAW TIMES  1st July 2020  89