NEW DELHI : There is an urgent need to reform the Customs clearance framework in India if the country wants to become an export hub according to Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DP World.

Speaking at the B20 Summit India 2023, organised in collaboration of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Sulayem said, “If you (India) want to become an export country, then the laws have to be changed. You have to be more liberal, to allow people to export and fast track exports, remove many of the restrictions and Customs.”

He said that while there are rules around Customs clearances, the departments around the world are slow to adopt, hampering trade. “Customs (Department) is key today and they need to be improved. Procedures need to be digitised. If Customs can coordinate with Customs Departments of other countries, it is better than even free trade,” Sulayem said, adding that the “biggest problem” in every country is Customs.