The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has urged the government to simplify rules and changes in the Special Advance Authorization Scheme for garment exporters. The Council has recommended the issuance of Special Advance Authorizations to the apparel sector on self-declaration and self-ratification basis. At present, the facility of self-certification and self-ratification is not available to the apparel sector. Hence, apparel exporters have to wait for a longer period for getting SION fixed in the norms committee.

So, for faster clearances of cases, facilities of self-certification and self-ratification must be made available to the apparel sector as well, said A Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC. He also suggested some changes in the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme to take care of the growing need of capital investment in the sector. He further emphasized on the need to address the issues of duty disadvantage in the overseas market through free trade agreements.