With the aim of fostering a gender-inclusive trade environment that empowers women to contribute meaningfully to the global economy, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has taken several steps.
Ministry of Finance highlighted the steps of the CBIC, and mentioned the two circulars issued by it on the occasion of Women’s Day.
In one of the circulars, the CBICustoms, directed its field formations to ensure the representation of women in the Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) and Customs Clearance Facilitation Committee (CCFC) meetings;
It further directed to encourage the Trade bodies/ custodians to establish dedicated help desks and processing mechanisms for women traders and women logistics service providers.
The field formation should also support in upskilling women logistics service providers, freight forwarders and custom brokers by offering relevant trainings for women, CBIC said.
In another circular, the CBIC asked its field formation to ensure the provision of safe and secure working environment to women and gender inclusive infrastructure, including care infrastructure and services, especially creches, sufficient lighting, panic buttons, regular upgradation of facilities from a gender perspective.
It further asked to spread awareness by holding regular gender sensitisation training sessions for all concerned staff/ stakeholders.