Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu today asked regional officials of foreign trade division DGFT to engage more with states and identify districts with export potential with a view to promoting foreign shipments. Foreign trade not only benefits the domestic economy but also the country with global trade, he added.

Addressing the regional officers and port officers of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, DGFT in New Delhi on concluding day of the two-day meeting, Mr. Prabhu asked them to act as facilitator and not a regulator. According a Ministry's release, he has also asked the foreign trade division to set up panels headed by chief secretaries of states to discuss all export promotion related issues and boost the country's shipments. The minister has asked regional officers to increase engagement with the states to boost exports.