GST is a most progressive tax reform but a difficult period of six months lay ahead of exporters from July, according to A. Sakthivel, Chairman of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), southern region.

He was addressing exporters as the chief guest at a seminar on GST organised by the FIEO. He said there were some loose ends to be tied up, but the Government and the officials had assured that they would co-operate fully with the trade and exporters in the switch-over to GST and there would not be any hassles. However, he said, it still remains to be seen how much time it would take for refunds.

He said it was time to march ahead and "we will have to move into the new tax regime in a positive frame of mind and let us have one nation and one tax."

B. Hareram, Commissioner of Central Excise, Customs, and Service Tax, said the trade or exporters need not be unduly worried over GST, and "even though there are bound to be certain transition travails, we can overcome them together. We are here to help you, please get registered under the new GST. In the process of switch-over, we will help you at every stage."

He said exporters who had not yet registered themselves under the GST regime could do so from June 25, as the process would begin afresh.

Virendra Singh, Joint Director-General of Foreign Trade, gave a presentation on the impact of GST on export promotion schemes.

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