National Strategic Trade Command Centre launched to strengthen data-driven trade governance
The platform brings together DGFT dashboards to track trade trends, regulatory applications and scheme performance, with plans to add datasets, automated alerts and access for authorised institutions.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal
NEW DELHI: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has launched the National Strategic Trade Command Centre (NSTCC) to consolidate trade data, monitor regulatory processes and support evidence-based policy decisions.
Developed by the Department of Commerce, the centre was launched at Vanijya Bhawan in the presence of Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Director General of Foreign Trade Lav Agarwal, the ministry said in a statement on October 15.
The platform combines analytics and interactive dashboards to help officials track trade performance, export promotion schemes, pending applications, processing timelines and regional trends. Access to information, including individual application details, is governed by role-based permissions.
In its initial phase, NSTCC covers key Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) functions, including Importer Exporter Code, Advance Authorisation, Export Promotion Capital Goods, Certificate of Origin, restricted imports and exports, and SCOMET approvals.
SCOMET covers Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies. While reviewing its dashboard, Goyal called for regular meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, weekly if necessary, to address pending applications and expedite processing.
The centre is intended to help officials identify operational bottlenecks, compare the performance of schemes and regional authorities, and use recurring problems and emerging trade patterns to inform procedural and policy changes.
Its trade intelligence functions include product-wise and market-wise analysis, assessment of trade agreement utilisation and identification of export opportunities.
NSTCC draws on existing digital infrastructure, including DGFT systems and the Trade Connect ePlatform. Additional datasets from other departments and trade-related agencies are expected to be integrated progressively.
The ministry said the centre is envisaged to develop into a wider government decision-support mechanism, with phased access for authorised ministries, states, Export Promotion Councils and other institutions. Planned enhancements include automated alerts and advanced analytics.
