Defence Offset Facilitation Agency (DOFA) has been established under the Department of Defence Production (DDP) as a single window agency to facilitate implementation of the offset policy of the Ministry of Defence. DOFA assists potential vendors in interfacing with the Indian defence industry for identifying potential offset products/projects as well as provide requisite data and information for this purpose.
Also read: Indian Defence Offset Regime: Need for reforms
Other functions assigned to DOFA are:-
- Assist in technical vetting of offset proposals and subsequent monitoring.
- Interact with and advise Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, Service Headquarters and Defence Research and Development Organisation as regards areas in which offsets should be preferred.
- Act as an interface between the industry and the Acquisition Wing.
- Promote exports of defence products and services.
- Provide advisory clarifications on the policy and procedures (in consultation with the Acquisition Wing), wherever necessary.
DOFA functions under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (Exports). Director (Planning & Coordination) is the designated officer for interface with the industry and the Acquisition Wing.
Unfortunately, frequent changes of key personnel affect continuity in DOFA adversely. Being a highly specialised field, defence offsets have spawned a new genre of experts who know various nuances to extract maximum benefits for their country. DOFA needs such experts urgently. DOFA needs to be strengthened with staff possessing expertise in foreign trade, national economic priorities, technology needed to fill voids and indigenous industrial potential.
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