The government has constituted a high-level inter-ministerial committee to examine ways to speed up the clearance of exports and imports.

A release issued by the finance ministry on Thursday said that the committee would be headed by the Central Board of Excise and Customs chairman.

The committee has been set up as per the recommendations of the Kelkar report on indirect taxes.

The report, besides emphasising the achievement of international norms for clearance of goods for international trade, had also mandated the formation of a permanent trade facilitation committee, under the chairmanship of the commissioner of customs.

The committee would also consisting of senior representatives of all agencies including Custom House Agents.

It had said that the major impediment to achieving high rate of growth of exports was the exorbitant level of transaction cost involved in clearance of consignments from the customs houses and the procedures involved.

The release says the terms of reference of the committee also includes bringing about better co-ordination between the various ministries towards this end.

It adds that this would help in reducing the transaction costs for exports and imports thus facilitate trade.

Apart from joint secretary, CBEC who would be the secretary, the committee comprises director general foreign trade, member (customs) and additional secretaries belonging to several ministries of textile, shipping, civil aviation and health.

The committee can also invite members from other departments which it considers relevant and form sub-committees as and when required.