AAl e · authorization, Export Promotion for Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme, 100% Export Oriented Units (EOU_s), exporters have been extended the benefit of sourcing inputs/capital goods

AnnuAl RepoRt

2017-2018

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Department of Commerce

Contents

Overview ............................................................................................................................ 6

Organizational Structure and Functions .......................................................................... 13

Vision & Mission ............................................................................................................... 14

Emerging Global Economic Realities and India .............................................................. 21

Trends in India's Foreign Trade ........................................................................................ 27

Foreign Trade Policy and Exim Trade .............................................................................. 59

Commercial Relation, Trade Agreements and International Trade Organisations ...... 71

Export Promotion Mechanism .......................................................................................... 97

Centres of Export Production - SEZs & EOUs ....................................................... 111

Specialized Agencies .......................................................................................................... 116

Programmes undertaken for the welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs, Women & Person with Disabilities ...... 146

Transparency, Public Facilitation and Allied Activities .................................................. 165

Audit Paras - Appendix-II ................................................................................................... 169

6 | Annual Report 2017-18 | Department of Commerce

OVERVIEW

An Overview of the Global Scenario

The global crisis had produced a wide-ranging yet

differentiated impact across the globe which included economic

slowdown and contraction in world trade. However, the latest

number from WTO now points towards healthy prospects for

global trade. The estimate for growth in world merchandise trade

volume in 2017 was raised to 3.6%. The previous estimate for 2017

was 2.4%. For 2017 trade growth is placed within a range from

3.2% to 3.9% (WTO, 2017).

As per the WTO September 2017 press release “Stronger-than-

expected growth is driven by Asia and North America, where

import demand is recovering from weak results in 2016. Trade

growth should moderate to 3.2% in 2018, within a range from

1.4% to 4.4%, as global GDP growth remains stable. The ratio of

trade growth to GDP growth should rise to 1.3 in 2017. Export

orders have strengthened signalling sustained trade momentum in

second half of 2017. Recovery could be undermined by downside

risks, including trade policy measures, monetary tightening,

geopolitical tensions and costly natural disasters”.

India is projected grow at the rate of 7.4 per cent in 2018 thus

becoming the fastest growing economy in the world (IMF, 2018).

As per the estimates of the International Monetary Fund (IMF,

January 2018), the global economic activity continues to firm up.

Global growth, which in 2016 was the weakest since the global

financial crisis at 3.2 per cent, is projected at 3.9 per cent in 2018

and 2019. Growth is projected to rise over this year and next in

emerging market and developing economies, supported by

improved external factors - a benign global financial environment

and a recovery in advanced economies. Growth in China and other

parts of emerging Asia remains strong. In advanced economies,

the notable 2017 growth pickup is broad based, with stronger

activity in the United States and Canada, the Euro area, and Japan.

It is against this background that the recent Indian growth story

appears particularly bright.

India’s Merchandise Trade

India Trade Story

Value in US$ Billion

Source: DGCI&S

Department of Commerce | Annual Report 2017-18 | 7

Current Focus areas

Given this positive trajectory of growth, so far as, the Export

sector is concerned, there are number of critical areas which form

the focus of Department of Commerce. These are:

1. Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, Mid-term review notified in

December 2017

Key features:

A. Encouraging Exports by MSMEs and Labour Intensive

Industries

� MEIS incentives for two sub sectors of textiles i.e. readymade

garments and made ups increased from 2% to 4% involving

additional annual incentives of Rs 2,743 crore.

� Across the board increase of 2% in existing MEIS incen-

tives for exports by MSME’s/labour intensive industries in-

volving additional annual incentive of Rs 4,567 crore. Major

sectors covered are leather, agriculture, carpets, hand-tools,

marine products, rubber products, ceramic, sports goods

and medical and scientific products, electronic and telecom

products.

A profile of our Exports: Commodities and Territories

India's Services Trade Value in US$ Billion

Source: RBI

Share of Top Five Commodities in India’s Exports, Apr-Nov 2017-18 (P)

Source: DGCI&S

Share of Top Five Commodities in India’s Imports, Apr-Nov 2017-18 (P)

Source: DGCI&S

Top 5 Countries of Exports, Share (%) Apr-Nov 2017

Top 5 Countries of Imports, Share (%) Apr-Nov 2017


� To provide impetus to the services trade, the SEIS incentives have

been increased by 2% for notified services such as Business,

Legal, Accounting, Architectural, Engineering, Educational, Hos-

pital, Hotels and Restaurants. The estimated additional annual in-

centive for the services sector will be Rs 1,140 crore.

� The validity period of the Duty Credit scrips was increased

from 18 months to 24 months to enhance their utility in the

GST framework.

� GST rate for transfer/sale of scrips has been reduced to zero

from the earlier rate of 12%

B. New trust based self-ratification scheme for duty free

import of raw material

� New trust based self-ratification scheme introduced to allow

duty free inputs for export production under duty exemption

scheme with a self-declaration.

� Under this scheme, instead of getting a ratification of the

Norms Committee for inputs to be used in the manufacture

of export products, exporters will self-certify the requirement

of duty free raw materials/inputs and take authorization from

DGFT. The scheme would initially be available to the Author-

ized Economic Operators.

� The scheme will expedite export of new products by decreas-

ing product turn-around time, particularly in sectors such as

pharma, chemicals, textiles, engineering and high technology

which have dynamic raw material requirements.

2. Alignment with GST

Issue of working capital blockage of the exporters due to upfront

payment of GST on inputs has been addressed. Under advance

authorization, Export Promotion for Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme,

100% Export Oriented Units (EOU’s), exporters have been extended

the benefit of sourcing inputs/capital goods from abroad as well as

domestic suppliers for exports without upfront payment of GST.

Further an e wallet will be launched from 1st April 2018 to make

these schemes operational.

GST has ushered a new regulatory regime for India’s exports.

It introduced many positive features for domestic firms as well as

exporters. Firms now pay less number of taxes (one GST replaces

17 taxes), less amount of tax (average GST rate for industrial

products is 18% compared to the pre-GST tax burden of 25-28%),

and face less tax on tax incidences. The uniform GST rates across

the states further reduce the tax burden and compliance cost.

These changes reduce cost and improve competitiveness and hence

would be beneficial for exports.

GST treats exports as zero rated supply. This is in line with the

WTO accepted principles. Initially, the GST law required that all

duties must be paid at the time of sourcing of inputs for export

production and refund for these to be obtained after the exports.

However, the exporters apprehended blockage of working capital.

On their request, the GST council in its Oct 6, 2017 meeting decided

to allow exemption from payment of GST on inputs sourced using

the advance authorizations, EPCG and the 100% EOU schemes.

3. Trade Infrastructure and Logistics

i) Launch of Trade Infrastructure for Export Sector (TIES)

� Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Al-

lied Activities (ASIDE): Department of Commerce has, till now,

worked with States to fill infrastructure gaps through ASIDE.

� As per 14th Finance Commission recommendations, tax devo-

lution to states has been increased from 32% to 42%, which

resulted in delinking of ASIDE scheme from the support of

the Centre.

� Therefore, a new scheme was formulated for strengthening of

export infrastructure namely; TIES. After taking all the neces-

sary approvals, this scheme has been launched by CIM on 15th

March, 2017.

� The Central Government funding will be in the form of grant-

in-aid, normally not more than the equity being put in by the

implementing agency or 50 per cent of the total equity in the

project. (In case of projects located in North Eastern States

and Himalayan States including J&K, this grant can be upto 80

per cent of the total equity).

� TIES scheme would provide assistance for setting up and up-

gradation of infrastructure projects with overwhelming export

linkages like:

o Border Haats

o Land customs stations

o Quality testing and certification labs

o Cold chains

o Trade Promotion centres

o Dry Ports,

o Export warehousing and packaging

o SEZs and ports/airports cargo terminuses.

ii) New Logistics Division

� New logistics division has been created in the Commerce De-

partment to develop and coordinate implementation of an ac-

tion plan for the integrated development of the logistics sector,

by way of policy changes, improvement in existing procedures,

identification of bottlenecks and gaps and introduction of

technology in this sector.

� This division proposes to create an IT backbone and develop

a National Logistics Information Portal which will also be an

online Logistics marketplace to bring together various stake-

holders viz. logistics service providers, buyers as well as Central

& State Government agencies such as Customs, DGFT, Rail-

ways, ports, airports, inland waterways, coastal shipping etc.,

on a single platform.

� These steps would improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Per-

formance Index (LPI) and promote exports and enhanced

growth.

4. Government e- Market (GeM) SPV

� DGS&D created a dedicated e-market for different goods &

services procured/sold by Government/PSUs, a technology

driven platform to facilitate procurement of goods and serv-

ices by various Ministries and agencies of the Government.

The portal launched on 9th August 2016 and became fully

functional by October, 2016.

� DGS&D has been wound up as on 31st October, 2017.

� GeM - a scalable system and being completely online, transpar-

ent, and system driven, makes procurement of goods and serv-

ices, easy, efficient and fast. GeM covers entire procurement

process chain, right from vendor registration, item selection by

buyer, supply order generation, and receipt of goods/services

by the consignees (s), to online payment to vendor.

� As on date, more than 4.44 lakh products & services, about

71,700 sellers and service providers and more than 16,000

buyer organizations are part of GeM. More than 2.36 lakh or-

ders, worth Rs 4,000 crores have been processed through GeM.

� GeM is now getting ready for launch of GeM 3.0 with further

ease of transaction and updated features.


5. Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre & Post Shipment

Rupee Export Credit

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved

the Interest Equalisation Scheme on 18.11.2015 for 5 years with

effect from 01.04.2015. Operational guidelines of the scheme were

issued by RBI vide Circular No.62 dated 04.12.2015.

The main features of the scheme are as follows:

a) The rate of interest equalisation @ 3% per annum will be avail-

able on Pre Shipment Rupee Export Credit and Post Shipment

Rupee Export Credit.

b) The scheme would be applicable w.e.f 01.04.2015 for 5 years.

Government, however, reserves the right to modify/amend the

Scheme at any time.

c) The scheme will be available to all exports under 416 specified

tariff lines [at ITC (HS) code of 4 digit] and to all exports

made by Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across

all ITC (HS) codes.

d) Scheme would not be available to merchant exporters.

e) Banks are required to completely pass on the benefit of interest

equalisation, as applicable, to the eligible exporters upfront and

submit the claims to RBI for reimbursement, duly certified by

the external auditor.

In the Financial Year 2015-16 and 2016-17 funds to the tune of

Rs. 1,100 crore and Rs. 1,000 crore respectively have been released

to RBI for the settlement of the claims of various banks under the

scheme. For the year 2017-18, an amount of Rs. 2,000 crore has

been allocated and the entire amount would be fully utilised.

6. Trade Facilitation

a) National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) has been set up

under Cabinet Secretary following ratification by India of the

Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). NTFC supported by steer-

ing committee, jointly headed by Commerce Secretary and Rev-

enue Secretary, to perform supervisory and monitoring role.

b) Four Working Groups set up by Steering Committee to focus

on (i) Infrastructure, (ii) Legal issues, (iii) Outreach and (iv)

Time Release Study.

c) Further, the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP)

drawn out in consultation with the stakeholders, identifying 76

trade facilitation measures with implementation timelines of

which 51 are TFA-plus activities. Under TFA Category ‘B’ items,

efforts are being made to expedite implementation of these

measures within 3 years, in advance of the envisaged 5 years.

d) Comprehensive IT-based system called Export Data Processing

and Monitoring System (EDPMS) for monitoring of export of

goods and software and facilitating AD banks to report various

returns through a single platform developed by RBI.

e) MOU with the Goods and Services Network (GSTN) for shar-

ing foreign exchange realisation and Import Export code data

signed by DGFT. This will strengthen processing of export

transactions of taxpayers under GST, increase transparency

and reduce human interface.

f) 24x7 Customs clearance facility has been extended to all Bills

of Entry at 19 sea ports and 17 Air Cargo Complexes.

7. State-of-Art Trade Analytics

a) State-of-Art trade analytics division set up in DGFT for data

based policy actions.

b) The initiative envisages processing trade information from

DGCIS and other national and international data bases related

to India’s key export markets and identifying specific actions

to address export interests in various markets and products’.

8. Exploring new export markets

a) Focus on increasing India’s exports in under and un-tapped

markets in high potential regions like Africa, to cover not just

trade in goods and investment but also in capacity building,

technical assistance and services such as healthcare and educa-

tion. Sectors like agro processing, manufacturing, mining, tex-

tiles, consumer goods, infrastructure development and

construction should be focus areas.

b) Greater engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean re-

gion, including encouragement of project exports through easy

access to credit facilities.

c) ECGC will be strengthened and substantially expanded to en-

sure insurance cover to exporters, particularly MSME ex-

porters exporting to new and risky markets.

9. Exploring new export products

a) Focus on increasing exports of products which have become

important in the world trade of late, in recognition of the fact

that 70% of India’s exports involve products whose share in

the total world exports is only 30%.

b) Focus on promising product groups like medical devices/ equip-

ment, technical textile, electronic component, project goods,

defence and hi-tech products in addition to labor intensive and

MSME products like agricultural, marine, carpets, leather, Ayush

and health, textiles and readymade garments, handloom, handi-

crafts, coir, jute products, diamond, gold and jewellery.

10. Focus on agricultural exports for increasing farmers’ in-

come

a) New Agricultural Exports Policy under formulation to focus

on increasing exports of agricultural value added products

through elements like:

� A stable and ‘open’ export policy for the long term.

� Effective handling of sanitary and phytosanitary standards

(SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT) issues in domestic

and destination markets.

� Creating cold chain and transport logistics facilities from the

farm to the ports and airports.

� Promoting organic exports through appropriate policy inter-

ventions.

� Setting up credible and up-to-date organic export certification

and accreditation programmes.

11. Greater participation in the global and regional value

chains

a) Focus on increasing participation in high value segments of

RVCs and GVCs to increase India’s exports, in recognition of

the fact that products manufactured through GVCs account

for two-thirds of world trade in manufactured goods.

b) This would be facilitated by a focus on automating port and

customs operations, allowing green channel clearances and

benchmarking the turnaround time of ships with the best

global practices.

12. Leveraging services for increasing exports

a) New Services division set up in DGFT to examine EXIM poli-


cies and procedures from the point of view of “Services”.

b) Efforts underway to improve the availability of data on services.

c) An ambitious reform agenda in services being pursued through

an inter-ministerial mechanism.

d) Efforts for effective market access abroad through comprehen-

sive economic partnership agreements with important markets.

e) The very successful Global Exhibition on Services institution-

alized as an annual event to showcase India’s strengths in the

Services sector.

13. Trade Facilitation in Indian Context

Trade facilitation is a priority of the Government for cutting

down the transition cost and time and thereby making Indian

exports more competitive. The following are the major Ease of

Doing Business and e-governance initiatives:

i) Reducing number of Documents: Number of mandatory doc-

uments required for exports and imports have been reduced

to 3 each for export and import. Earlier 7 documents were re-

quired for exports and 10 for imports.

ii) Reducing number of Schemes: The New Foreign Trade Policy

(2015-20) was launched on 1st April, 2015 with a focus of sup-

porting both merchandise and services exports and improving

the ‘Ease of Doing Business’. DGFT consolidated 5 different

incentive schemes under the earlier policy for rewarding mer-

chandise exports into a single scheme, namely the Merchandise

Exports from India Scheme. The Mid-Term Review of FTP

has also been completed.

iii) Importer Exporter Code-PAN of firm is being issued as IEC

by the DGFT with effect from July 1, 2017. By this process

the application and issuance of IEC can now be done online

and is secure. IEC has also been integrated with the eBIZ por-

tal of DIPP. IEC and EPCG applications have been integrated

with the eNivesh portal implemented by PMG set up by the

Cabinet Secretariat.

iv) Use of electronic bank realization certificate (eBRC) system

has been extended. DGFT shares data generated by the elec-

tronic bank realization certificate (eBRC) system with 17 agen-

cies. The eBRC system captures details of the foreign exchange

received by exporters through the banking channel. So far

DGFT has signed MOUs with 14 state governments , 2 central

government agencies and GSTN for sharing of the data. At

the state level, Commercial Tax Departments of 14 states have

signed MoU with DGFT for receiving e-BRC data for VAT re-

fund purposes. These are: (i) Maharashtra, (ii) Delhi, (iii)

Andhra Pradesh, (iv) Odisha, (v) Chhattisgarh, (vi) Haryana,

(vii) Tamil Nadu, (viii) Karnataka, (ix) Gujarat, (x) Uttar

Pradesh, (xi) Madhya Pradesh, (xii) Kerala, (xiii) Goa and (xiv)

Bihar. In addition, Ministry of Finance, Enforcement Direc-

torate, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Devel-

opment Authority and GSTN have also signed a MoU.

v) Simplification of forms - The ‘Aayat Niryat’ Forms used for

making online application to DGFT, have been simplified

bringing in clarity in different provisions, and enhancing elec-

tronic governance.

vi) Web Portals

� DGFT has launched an updated website making it more user-

friendly and easy to navigate. DGFT website has a large dynamic

component whereby the trade community can file applications

online for IEC and various other schemes of DGFT.

� Indian Trade Portal launched by Department of Commerce and

managed by FIEO displays information useful for exports and

imports. It contains the Trade enquiries uploaded by Indian

trade missions, Tariff and Trade data of India’s major trade

partners, Export Market Reports, and Trade Agreements etc.

vii) Capacity Building

� Skilling new entrepreneurs for exports is an important priority.

� In the last two years, over 50,000 entrepreneurs have been

trained under the Niryat Bandhu program implemented by

DGFT, thus complementing the Startup India and Skill India

initiatives.

� Institutional set up under Department of Commerce like – In-

dian Institute of Foreign Trade, Indian Institute of Packaging,

Indian Institute of Plantation, Export Promotion Councils,

Centres of Excellence, Plantation Research Institutes, etc. –

are being leveraged for capacity building, export promotion,

research & analysis and long term policy formulation.

� Centre for Research in International Trade

o Given the growing complexity of the process of global-

ization and its spillover effects on domestic policymaking,

there is a need to significantly deepen existing research capa-

bilities and widen them to encompass new and specialized

areas. In this context, a new institution, namely, the Centre for

Research in International Trade (CRIT) has been set up.

o CRIT is expected to fill this gap and will also help in

forming enduring coalitions with a large number of developing

countries which may have convergence of interests with India

and could potentially become India’s allies on various trade is-

sues at the global level. CRIT will have 5 centres namely Centre

for Trade & Investment law, Centre for Regional Trade, Centre

for Training, Centre for Trade Promotion and Centre for WTO

Studies (already in existence). In 2017, two new centres have

become functional.

� Involvement of the states in export promotion - The Council

for Trade Development and Promotion was constituted in July

2015. It would ensure a continuous dialogue with State Gov-

ernments and UT’s on measures for providing an international

trade enabling environment in the States and create a frame-

work for making the States active partners in boosting India’s

exports.

� The State governments have been requested to develop their

export strategy, appoint export commissioners, address infra-

structure constraints restricting movement of goods, facilitate

refund of VAT/ Octroi/State level cess, and address other is-

sues relating to various clearances etc. and build capacity of

new exporters, in order to promote exports. So far, 17 States

have prepared their exports strategy. The third Council for

Trade and Investment meeting was held on 8th January, 2018,

whereby, the Report on Logistics Ease Across Different States

(LEADS) was launched.

� A new initiative launched by DOC, whereby, Commerce

Secretary convenes a joint meeting in each State with the

State Government officials, the exporters and other

stakeholders to resolve concerns and facilitate efficiency in

exports.

� Meetings held in major exporting States of Madhya Pradesh,

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, North East, Andhra

Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Uttar

Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab and Haryana. Visits to

other major exporting States are on the anvil and also follow-

up visits are being proposed.


14. Fostering Better Trade Relations and Exploring New

Markets

� India – Canada CEPA – 10th Round completed.

� India – Australia CECA – ongoing.

� Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

[ASEAN + their 6 FTA Partners i.e Australia, China, India,

Japan, South Korea and New Zealand]. RCEP ministerial at

Manila on 10th Sep 2017; next (20th) round in Korea in Oct

2017

� India –Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation

Agreement – five rounds completed

� India – Peru negotiations – first round held in 8th – 11th Au-

gust, 2017.

� India - EFTA TEPA (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and

Switzerland) – 16th round starting 18th September, 2017.

� 2nd India Indonesia Biennial Trade Ministers Forum was held

on 21st September, 2017.

� CIM also participated in the ASEAN Economic Ministers

meeting.

� India EU summit where trade related issues were also dis-

cussed, was held on 6th October 2017.

� CIM and CS and Senior officials from DOC, DIPP, MEA etc.

led a high level delegation to attend back to back meetings

of India-US Trade Policy Forum and Commercial Dialogue

from 25th October to 27th October 2017 at Washington

D.C.

� The WTO meeting was held in Buenos Aires from 10th-14th

December 2017. Both CIM and CS participated

� India-UK JETCO meeting held on 11th January, 2018 and was

chaired by CIM and UK Trade Minister.

� India EaEU trade negotiations – 30-31st January 2018

15. Integrated Exhibition cum Convention Centre (IECC)

Government has approved construction of a modern world-

class Integrated Exhibition cum Convention Centre (IECC) at

Pragati Maidan to create air-conditioned exhibition space of 1.2

lakh sq. mtr. and an iconic state-of-the-art Convention Centre with

7,000 pax seating capacity. Underground parking space for 4,800

Passenger Car Units (PCU) is also planned.

Project work has begun and will be completed within 24

months by September 2019, creating an appropriate venue for all

types of major national and international events. It will be a unique

symbol of New India, and will reflect India’s aspirations to be a

global power.

16. Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO and the Fu-

ture of the Doha Round (10th to 13th December 2017)

The Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO (‘MC11’)

was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina during December 10-13,

2017.

In the run-up to the Conference, decisions were expected on a

permanent solution on the issue of public stockholding for food

security purposes and other agricultural issues. Some WTO

member countries were seeking outcomes on domestic regulations

in services, disciplines on fisheries subsidies, E-commerce,

Investment Facilitation and Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises

(MSMEs).

17. Permanent solution on public stockholding for food secu-

rity purposes

In accordance with the obligation placed on member countries

by the Ministerial decisions at the Bali and Nairobi Ministerial

Conferences, India and the G-33, as the key proponents, sought a

permanent solution at the Eleventh Ministerial Conference at

Buenos Aires. While the proponents were naturally seeking a

permanent solution that would be an improvement over the

existing interim mechanism, others sought stronger safeguards. In

the absence of consensus, a permanent solution could not,

however, be achieved.

India’s public stockholding programmes, however, continue to

be protected due to the interim mechanism which is available in

perpetuity.

18. Ministerial Declaration

A few members did not support the acknowledgment or

reiteration of key underlying principles guiding the WTO and

various agreed mandates. As a result, Ministers could not arrive at

an agreed Ministerial Declaration at the end of the Conference.

However, even in the absence of a Ministerial Declaration, the

existing mandates and decisions would remain valid and be carried

forward. This ensures that work will go forward and the WTO

would continue to work on issues such as the permanent solution

on public stockholding for food security purposes, agricultural

subsidies and other issues.

19. Recent Developments on WTO negotiations in Services

trade and India’s stand

A. Discussion on Domestic Regulations

The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the

Decision on Domestic Regulation call upon WTO members to

develop necessary disciplines to ensure that measures relating to

qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards and

licensing requirements and procedures do not constitute

unnecessary barriers to trade in services.

Discussions on development of disciplines on domestic

regulations have been ongoing in the WTO in the Working Party

on Domestic Regulations (WPDR) since 2016. About 10 proposals

were merged into a consolidated text which was tabled as a

Ministerial Document for discussions at MC11. India engaged

constructively on the text and suggested incorporating

commercially meaningful disciplines addressing the barriers faced

by natural persons supplying services, including qualification

requirements & procedures and development issues consistent with

the GATS mandate. As a way forward, India proposed a well-

structured post MC11 Work Programme on services incorporating

some elements of the Indian proposal for Trade Facilitation in

Services, including those related to Mode 4, as well as DR

disciplines as per the Chair’s Reports of 2009 and 2011. As there

was no consensus on these issues, no Ministerial Decision or Work

Programme was agreed to on Domestic Regulations at MC11.

B. E-commerce

At MC11 there was wide divergence of views on how to engage

on E-commerce. India and a number of developing countries were

of the view that the existing 1998 work programme on E-

commerce should continue, while others desired a fast-track

approach by formalising the dedicated discussion on the work

programme under the General Council. In the end, MC11 broadly

endorsed the Nairobi Ministerial Decision on E-Commerce which

seeks continuation of work under the 1998 Work Programme

(WT/L/274); to endeavour to reinvigorate work; instruct the

General Council to hold periodic reviews in its sessions of July

and December 2018 and July 2019 and report to the next session


of the Ministerial Conference. Members agreed to maintain the

current practice of not imposing customs duties on electronic

transmissions until the next session in 2019 along with

continuation of the moratorium on TRIPS non-violation

complaints.

20. Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

� In GST regime, zero-rated supply to SEZs has been ensured

by the Department of Revenue. For removing/clarifying pro-

cedural difficulties with regard to GST issues, Open Houses

are being organised in various SEZs in collaboration with local

GST Administration/Development Commissioners.

� The Central Government vide S,.O. 968(E) dated 08.04.2015

has notified the rules of operations framed by RBI, SEBI and

IRDA for the Units in an International Financial Services Cen-

tre (IFSC) in SEZs.

� In order to facilitate paperless transaction for movement of

goods for imports and exports from SEZs to Ports, SEZ Online

System has been integrated with the Customs ICEGATE system.

� To streamline power Generation, Transmission and Distribu-

tion in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) power guidelines has

been issued on 16th February, 2016.

� Initially there were no provisions for Audit, Demand, Refund,

Adjudication, Review and Appeal with regard to matters relat-

ing to authorized operation under SEZs Act, 2005, transactions

and goods and services related thereto. The Central Govern-

ment vide GS.R. 772(E) dated 05.08.2016 has notified the

Rules in this regard.

21. Focus on Export Credit Related Issues

Project exports are being encouraged, especially in the

emerging markets with high infrastructure needs, through special

lines of credit offered by the Ministry of External Affairs and the

Buyers’ Credit Scheme of the Department of Commerce through

Exim Bank of India and ECGC. This will, inter alia, continue to

enable Indian businesses to develop long term business

relationships, facilitate easier acceptance of India’s exports and

build visibility for Indian products. In addition, EXIM Bank will

undertake a study on the concept of ‘revolving credit’ for

promoting our exports in new markets, especially in South Asia,

Africa, CIS and Latin America. EXIM Bank will also explore

developing strong ties with international lending agencies such as

African Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank,

Caribbean Bank, etc. ECGC will be supported to enhance

insurance cover to exporters particularly MSME’s exploring new

or difficult markets.

ECGC: It is a premier export credit agency and its portfolio has

nearly 20,000 distinct exporters, 85% of whom are MSMEs. ECGC

will get a fresh capital infusion of Rs. 2,000 crores in 3 years, with

Rs. 1,000 crores being added this year itself to enable it to support

a larger number of exporters. ECGC has settled claims of nearly

Rs. 7,000 crores in the last 10 years which has provided support to

the exporters, and relief to the banking system.

22. Digitisation and PFMS

Successful implementation of PFMS had been rolled out in all

PAOS of this office (Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai). For

digitisation, EAT module and DBT module of PFMS has been

implemented for end to end online payments. A part of pre-check

as well as payment for bills is also done through electronic mode

via PFMS. An action plan has been made with approval of Ministry

and as per directions of CGA to implement 100% EIS in all

NCDDOs by 31st March, 2018. In year 2016-17 on the

instructions of Cabinet Secretariat DBT was successfully

implemented in 7 schemes in Department of Commerce.

23. Quality Standards

Government is committed to transforming India into a

manufacturing and exporting hub. This will require focus on

improving product quality. Many Indian products fail quality tests

due to traces of pesticides, pathogens, illegal dyes, etc. An

endeavour would be made to upgrade quality and infrastructure to

help firms to move to higher quality standards and also protect

Indian consumers from substandard imports. Setting up more

globally accredited testing laboratories, enhancing the capacity of

Indian testing laboratories and Mutual Recognition Agreements

(MRA) with partner countries would be areas of focus.

A roadmap has been developed on measures required to

protect consumers, raise the quality of the merchandise produced

and enhance India’s capacity to export to even the most discerning

markets. Standards Conclaves are being held annually in New Delhi

and various regions to build awareness on the need for producing

quality products in the country. A long term branding strategy has

been conceptualised and is under implementation to enable India

to hold its own in a highly competitive global environment and to

ensure that ‘Brand India’ becomes synonymous with high quality.

Further, a programme to promote the branding and

commercialisation of products registered as Geographical

Indications and facilitate their exports has been initiated.

24. Anti Dumping and DGTR

The role of Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied

Duties (DGAD) under the Department of Commerce is to provide

the level playing field to the Country’s domestic industry from the

foreign exporters so that they are able to compete effectively in

the domestic market. This measure is taken under the WTO

agreement and comes under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 and

Rules made thereunder.

In August 2017, the investigation processes of DGAD became

ISO 9001:2015 compliant which has brought in transparency and

accountability in the operations of DGAD. The department has

developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for its functions and

activities. These SOPs are codified in Quality Manual and procedures.

25. Medium Term Expenditure Framework, All Schemes Ap-

praised

With the Twelfth Five Year Plan coming to end, for all the

existing and New Schemes of DOC, a complete and intensive

appraisal process was completed for the Medium-Term

Expenditure Framework (from 2017-18 to 2019-20) of the 14th

Finance Commission. DOC has Seven Central Sector Schemes

namely; Market Access Initiative, Tea Development & Promotion,

Integrated Coffee Development Project, Sustainable & inclusive

development of Rubber Sector, Infusion of capital in ECGC,

contribution of grant in aid (corpus) to NEIA Trust and APEDA

with a proposed outlay above Rs. 500 crore which is to be

continued upto 2019-20. The appraisal process for all the seven

schemes has already been completed by Expenditure Finance

Committee, chaired by Secretary (Expenditure).

The schemes, Spices Board, MPEDA, Cashew EPC, CRIT, IIP

(upgradation of Infrastructural facilities) Niryat Bandhu,

Modernisation of Infrastructure of IT in DGFT, setting up of

CFCs for Gems and Jewellery Industry, FDDI establishment of

campus Networking Centre and IIP having outlays less than Rs.

500 crore, have similarly been evaluated, appraised by Standing

Finance Committee and approved by Commerce and Industry

Minister. �


ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS


Vision and MissionThe long-term vision of the Department isto make India a major player in the worldtrade by 2020 and assume a role ofleadership in the international tradeorganizations commensurate with India’sgrowing importance. The medium termvision is to double India’s exports of goodsand services by 2017-18 over the level of2008-09 with a long-term objective ofdoubling India’s share in Global trade.

The policy tools being adopted in thiscontext are: the Strategy Paper focusing onthe targeted commodity and country wisestrategy in the medium term and theStrategic Plan / vision and the ForeignTrade Policy in the long run.

FunctionsThe Department formulates, implementsand monitors the Foreign Trade Policy(FTP) which provides the basic frameworkof policy and strategy to be followed forpromoting exports and trade. The TradePolicy is periodically reviewed toincorporate changes necessary to takecare of emerging economic scenarios bothin the domestic and international economy.Besides, the Department is also entrustedwith responsibilities relating to multilateraland bilateral commercial relations, SpecialEconomic Zones, state trading, exportpromotion and trade facilitation, anddevelopment and regulation of certainexport oriented industries andcommodities. Work allocated to theDepartment, in accordance with theAllocation of Business Rules, 1961, isplaced at Annexure1.1.

The Department is headed by a Secretarywho is assisted by one Special Secretary,one Additional Secretary & FinancialAdviser, two Additional Secretaries, twelveJoint Secretaries and Joint Secretary levelofficers and a number of other seniorofficers.


The Department is functionally organized into the following 9

Divisions:

1. International Trade Policy Division

2. Foreign Trade Territorial Division

3. Export Products Division

4. Export Industries Division

5. Export Services Division

6. Economic Division

7. Administration & General Service Division

8. Finance Division

9. Supply Division

The various offices / organizations under the administrative

control of the Department are: (A) two Attached Offices, (B) ten

Subordinate Offices, (C) ten Autonomous Bodies, (D) five Public

Sector Undertakings, (E) one Advisory Body, (F) fourteen Export

Promotion Councils and (G) five Other Organizations. A complete

list of these offices/ organizations along with the postal addresses

is given at Annexure 1.

The broad organizational set up and major role and functions

of the offices / organizations under the administrative control of

the Department are discussed below:

(A) Attached Offices

(i) Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Organization is

an Attached Office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and

is headed by Director General of Foreign Trade. Right from its

inception till 1991, when liberalization in the economic policies of

the Government took place, this Directorate has been essentially

involved in the regulation and promotion of foreign trade. Keeping

in line with liberalization and globalization and the overall objective

of increasing of exports, DGFT has since been assigned the role of

“Facilitator”. The shift was from prohibition and control of

imports/exports to promotion and facilitation of exports/imports,

keeping in view the interests of the country.

Organisational Set-up

This Directorate, with headquarters at New Delhi, is headed by

the Director General of Foreign Trade. It assists Government in

formulation of Foreign Trade Policy and is responsible for

implementing the Foreign Trade Policy and Schemes under FTP with

the main objective of promoting India’s Exports. Further, it is

responsible for implementation of Foreign Trade (Development and

Regulation) Act, 1992 and Rules & Regulations notified thereunder.

The DGFT also issues authorisations to exporters and monitors

their corresponding obligations through a network of 38 regional

offices and an extension counter at Indore.

All regional offices provide facilitation to exporters in regard to

developments in International Trade i.e. WTO agreements, Rules of

Origin and anti-dumping issues, etc to help exporters in their import

and export decisions in an international dynamic environment.

(ii) Government e-Marketplace- Special Purpose Vehicle (GeM

SPV)

The Union Cabinet chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 12th

April 2017 gave its approval for setting up of a Special Purpose

Vehicle to be called Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV) as the

National Public Procurement Portal as Section 8 Company registered

under the Companies Act, 2013, for providing procurement of

goods & services required by Central & State Government

organizations. In view of setting up of GeM SPV, the Cabinet also

approved closure of DGS&D by 31.10.2017. The process of

winding up was initiated and all Regional Offices/Directorates of

DGS&D across India were closed. The closure of DGS&D was

effected on 31.10.2017.

(iii) Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties

(DGAD)

The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties was

constituted in April, 1998 and is headed by the Designated Authority

of the level of Additional Secretary to the Government of India,

who is advised on costing issues by a Principal Adviser (Cost) and

one Joint Secretary level officer. In addition, there are Investigating

and Costing Officers with varied experience to conduct various

investigations like anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, circumvention of anti-

dumping duty investigations etc. The Directorate is responsible for

carrying out investigations and recommending, where required,

under the Customs Tariff Act, the amount of anti-dumping

duty/countervailing duty on the identified articles as would be

adequate to remove injury to the domestic industry.

(B) Subordinate Offices

(i) Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and

Statistics (DGCI&S)

The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics

(DGCIS) is a Subordinate Office of Department of Commerce

(DoC) under the administrative and financial control of DGFT,

DoC. This Directorate, with its office located at Kolkata, is headed

by the Director General. It is entrusted with the work of collecting,

compiling and disseminating trade statistics and various types of

commercial information required by the policy makers, researchers,

importers, exporters, traders as well as international organizations.

It is the first large scale data processing organization in the country

with ISO certification for compilation and dissemination of India’s

foreign trade statistics, which has been upgraded to ISO 9001:2015

during this year.

(ii) Office of Development Commissioner of Special

Economic Zones (SEZs)

The main objectives of the SEZ Scheme is generation of

additional economic activity, promotion of exports of goods and

services, promotion of investment from domestic and foreign

sources, creation of employment opportunities along with the

development of infrastructure facilities. All laws of India are

applicable in SEZs unless specifically exempted as per the SEZ

Act/Rules. Each Zone is headed by a Development Commissioner

and is administered as per the SEZ Act, 2005 and SEZ Rules, 2006.

Units may be set up in the SEZ for manufacturing, trading or for

service activity. The units in the SEZ have to be net foreign exchange

earners but they are not subjected to any predetermined value

addition except (Gems & Jewellery Units) or minimum export

performance requirements. Sales in the Domestic Tariff Area from

the SEZ units are treated as if the goods are being imported and are

subject to payment of applicable customs duties.

(iii) Pay and Accounts Office (Supply)

The payment and accounting of the Supply Division, including

of DGS&D are performed by the office of Chief Controller of

Accounts (Supply Division) under the Departmentalisation

Accounting System, through its Regional Pay and Accounts officers

at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Consequent upon

Cabinet Decision to close the DGS&D w.e.f. 31.10.2017, the office

of CCA(sy) has been discontinued and residual works are now being

handled by CCA(Commerce) with the skeletal staff and 3 PAOs in

New Delhi and Kolkata.

(iv) Pay and Accounts Office (Commerce & Textiles)

Pay & Accounts Office, DOC & MOT are responsible for the

Payment of claims, accounting Transactions, consolidation of

Accounts and other related matters like Finalization & Payment of

Pension & Payment of final GPF cases, loan & Advance, Grant in

Aid, Maintenance of GPF/CPF, NPS, LSC & PC, etc. through the

four Departmental PAOs in Delhi, two each in Kolkata, Mumbai &

Chennai. CCA office implements PFMS (EAT/DBT) and CDDO


(PFMS) Module in all Implementing Agencies and CDDO

respectively along with PFMS (EIS) in all DDOs.

These Departmental PAOs are controlled by Principal Account

office at New Delhi with CCA as the head of the Department of

Accounts Wing. CCA extends all assistance to FA in Budgeting,

Monitoring & Control of expenditure, render Professional expertise

in functioning of Financial Management System, Preparation of

disclosure statement as required under FRBM Act, Annual Finance

Report and Annual outcome & System Report, Preparation of Annual

/ Five year Plan, Estimation & flow of Non-tax Revenue Receipts etc.

There is an internal Audit Wing under Control of CCA to study the

Accounting and Implementation of Prescribed Procedure with a view

to ensuring that they are correct adequate & free from any Lacunae.

(C) Autonomous Bodies

(i) Coffee Board

Coffee Board is a statutory organization under the Ministry of

Commerce & Industry, constituted under The Coffee Act 1942. The

Board comprises 33 members. The Secretary, Coffee Board is one

of the member of the Board along with 31 other members

comprising Members of the Parliament and Members representing

various interests of Coffee Industry. Coffee Board focuses its

activities in the areas of research, extension, development, market

intelligence, external & internal promotion and welfare measures.

The Coffee Board functions with its Head Office in Bengaluru and

the Central Research Station viz., Central Coffee Research Institute

(CCRI) at Balehonnuru, Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka with a

Sub-Station at Chettalli (Karnataka) and Regional Research Stations

at Chundale (Kerala), Thandigudi (Tamil Nadu), Narasipatnam

(Andhra Pradesh) and Diphu (Assam) and the Extension Units

spread over the traditional coffee growing areas (Karnataka, Kerala

and Tamil Nadu), Non-Traditional Areas (Andhra Pradesh and

Odisha) and North Eastern Region (Assam, Tripura, Mizoram,

Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh).

(ii) Rubber Board

The Rubber Board is a statutory body constituted under Section

(4) of the Rubber Act, 1947 and functioning under the administrative

control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Board is

headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government and has

27 members representing various interests of natural rubber industry.

Execution powers of the Board are vested with Executive Director.

The Board’s headquarters is located at Kottayam in Kerala.

Developmental and regulatory functions pertaining to the entire

value-chain of the Indian rubber industry are discharged by the Board

by way of assisting and encouraging research, development, extension

and training activities related to natural rubber (NR). The functions

of the Board also include maintaining statistics of rubber, promoting

marketing of rubber and undertaking labour welfare activities.

Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) is situated at Kottayam,

Kerala State and has 10 Regional Research Stations located in various

rubber-growing states of the country.

(iii) Tea Board

The Tea Board is a statutory body constituted under the Tea Act,

1953 to discharge various functions, duties and responsibilities

envisaged in the Act for overall development of tea industry in India.

The Tea Board consists of 31 members, including the Chairman.

The tenure of the Board is three years. The Deputy Chairman is the

Chief Executive Officer and there are two Executive Directors who

are stationed at Zonal offices one each at Guwahati in Assam and

for Southern India at Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. The Board functions

as an Apex body by providing necessary assistance for research and

development aimed at increasing production, productivity and

quality, facilitation of trade and promotion of exports so as to

ensure maximum returns to the producers, including small growers;

safeguarding the interests of the workers and the consumers.

(iv) Tobacco Board

The Tobacco Board was constituted as a statutory body on 1st

January, 1976 under Section (4) of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975. The

Board is headed by a Chairman with its headquarters at Guntur,

Andhra Pradesh and is responsible for the development of the tobacco

industry. While the primary function of the Board is export promotion

of all varieties of tobacco and its allied products, its functions extend

to production, distribution (for domestic consumption and exports)

and regulation of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco.

(v) Spices Board

Spices Board was constituted as a statutory body on 26th February,

1987 under Section (3) of the Spices Board Act, 1986. The Board is

headed by a Chairman with its head office at Kochi. Spices Board is

responsible for the overall development of cardamom industry and

export promotion of 52 spices as scheduled under Spices Board Act,

1986. The function of the Board includes development of small and

large cardamom, promotion, development, regulation of export of

spices and quality control, development of spices and organic spices in

NE region. Board is the authority to issue certificates of registration

as exporter of spices and issue of cardamom dealers and auctioneers

certificates. Board undertakes programes and projects like infrastructure

support for improvement in spices processing, encouraging studies and

research on medicinal properties of spices, development of new

products, improvement of processing, grading, packaging and setting

up spice parks. The licensed/registered cardmom auctioneers and

dealers facilitate the domestic marketing through cardamom e-auctions.

(vi) The Marine Products Export Development Authority

(MPEDA)

The Marine Products Export Development Authority was set up

as a Statutory Body in 1972 under an Act of Parliament (No.13 of

1972). The Authority, with its headquarters at Kochi and Field

Offices in all the maritime States of India, is headed by a Chairman.

The Authority is responsible for development of the marine industry

with special focus on marine exports.

(vii) Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export

Development Authority (APEDA)

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export

Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the

Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food

Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the

Parliament in December, 1985. The Authority, with its headquarters

at New Delhi, is headed by a Chairperson. APEDA has been serving

the agri-export community for 30 years. In order to reach out to the

exporters in different parts of the Country, APEDA has set up 5

Regional offices at Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata &

Guwahati.

(viii) Export Inspection Council of India (EIC)

The Export Inspection Council (EIC) was established as a

Statutory Body on 1st January, 1964 under Section 3 of the Export

(Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 to ensure sound

development of export trade of India through quality control and

inspection and for matters connected therewith. The EIC is an

advisory body to the Central Government. with its office located at

New Delhi and is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central

Government. The Executive Head of the EIC is the Director of

Inspection & Quality Control who is responsible for the enforcement

of quality control and compulsory pre-shipment inspection of various

commodities meant for export and notified by the Government under

the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963.

Today, EIC guarantees exporters a gateway to demanding markets

and the assurance to importing countries that food and related

products sourced from India are fit for human consumption and

adhere to stringent international quality standards. EIC is located at


New Delhi while the five ElAs responsible to carry out the work of

quality control, inspection & certification of notified commodities for

exports under the Export (Quality Control & Inspection) Act,1963

are headquartered at Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Kolkata & Mumbai each

having sub-offices under them (a network of 30 sub-offices) including

state-of-the art. NABL accredited based on ISO 17025 laboratories

at important ports and industrial centers in India to cater to the

requirements of the exporters at these places. The network of its

laboratories comprises main food laboratories at Chennai, Kochi,

Kolkata & Mumbai, having state-of-art facilities besides a number of

field laboratories attach to various sub-offices for microbiological

testing supports reliable third party certification by the organisation.

The competitive worldwide export market place demands high

quality assurance solutions that effectively meet today's needs and

address tomorrow’s challenges. EIC has been instrumental partner

in implementation of new system for Certification of Origin of

Goods for the EU Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) under

Registered Exporter (REX) system implemented w.e.f. 1st January

2017 by registering and providing trainings to the exporters and

other designated Authorities.

EIC has actively facilitated exporters by developing guide on

Good beekeeping in English and Hindi. Cooperation arrangement

between the EIC, FSSAI and GFSP was signed to develop an

international training centre on food safety and applied nutrition at

Mumbai to provide improved skill development. In addition, EIC has

been entrusted with the additional new responsibility of sprouted

seed exports to EU and peanut and peanut products to Macedonia

by designating as competent Authority by Government of India.

(ix) Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was set up by

Government of India on 2nd May, 1963 with a focus on foreign trade

related research and training. In 53 years, the Institute has broadened

the scope and dimensions of its academic activities covering the

entire gamut of international business. Today, the Institute is widely

recognized for its knowledge and resource base, rich heritage and for

its strong alumni network both in India and abroad.

(x) Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP)

The Indian Institute of Packaging is an autonomous body in the

field of packaging technology which was set up on 14th May, 1966

as a society under the societies registration act, 1860 by the leading

packaging and allied industries and the Ministry of Commerce &

Industry, Govt. of India. The main objective of this Institute is to

promote the export market by way of innovative package design and

development and also to upgrade the packaging standards at

National Level. The head office of the Institute is situated at

Mumbai and its branches are located at Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai,

Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. The Institute has got an excellent

rapport with International organizations like World Packaging

Organisation (WPO) and Asian Packaging Federation (APF)

(D) Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)

(i) State Trading Corporation of India Limited (STC)

STC was set up on 18th May 1956 primarily with a view to

undertake trade with East European countries and to supplement the

efforts of private trade and industry in developing exports from the

country. Since then, STC has played an important role in country’s

economy. It has arranged imports of essential items of mass

consumption (such as wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils, etc.) and

industrial raw materials into India and also contributed significantly in

developing exports of a large number of items from India. The core

strength of STC lies in handling exports/imports of bulk commodities.

Over the years, STC has also diversified into exports of steel, iron ore,

molasses, red sanders and imports of bullion, hydrocarbons, minerals,

metals, ores, fertilizers, petro-chemicals, etc. In the recent years, STC

has also taken up, on domestic front, distribution of fertilizer to

tobacco growers, conducting cardamom auctions with a view to

safeguard interests of farmers, sale of gold coins/ silver medallions

and small volume of sale of goods under STC brand.

STCL Ltd., a subsidiary of STC, is in the process of winding up

and stopped all its business activities since 2014-15 onwards.

(ii) MMTC Limited

The MMTC Limited was created in 1963 as an independent

entity primarily to deal in exports of minerals and ores and imports

of non-ferrous metals. Over the years, MMTC diversified its

business portfolio keeping in view national requirements and new

business opportunities including import and export of various items.

Commodities like fertilizers, steel, diamonds, bullion, agro etc. were

progressively added to the portfolio of the company.

Besides acting as canalizing agency for Iron Ore, Manganese

Ore, Chrome Ore/Concentrate & Import of Urea, MMTC functions

as one of the Nominated Agency for Import of Gold & Silver, sale

of Sovereign India Gold Coin, Import of Pulses, trading in other

commodities like Agro Products, Fertilizers, Coal, Steel, Non-ferrous

metals, Pig Iron etc. and investment in trade related JVs like NINL,

MMTC PAMP, FTWZ etc.

Subsidiary Company

MMTC Transnational Pte Ltd., Singapore (MTPL) is a wholly

owned subsidiary company of MMTC and was incorporated in

October 1994 under the laws of Singapore with a share Capital of

USD 1 million. Since inception, the company has been engaged in

commodity trading and has established itself as a credible and

reputable trading company in Singapore.

(iii) PEC Limited

PEC Limited was incorporated as a subsidiary Company of State

Trading Corporation in 1971 as “The Projects and Equipment

Corporation of India Limited”. The name of the Company was

changed to PEC Limited on 25th November, 1997. The main

functions of the PEC Ltd. Include export of projects; engineering

equipment and defence equipment, import of bullion and trading in

industrial raw material and agro commodities.

(iv) ECGC Ltd (Formerly Export Credit Guarantee

Corporation of India Ltd.)

ECGC is a premier Export Credit Agency (ECA) of the

Government of India set up in 1957 under the Companies Act 1953,

to provide Export Credit Insurance Services to the Exporters and

Banks on a self sustainable basis. The covers and compensations to

beneficiaries — both exporters and bankers, have provided crucial

backing to the overall export achievements of the country. ECGC

provides credit insurance covers (popularly known as 'Policies') to

exporters to protect them against losses due to non-payment of

export dues by overseas buyers due to political and/ or commercial

risks. It also offers covers (known as Export Credit Insurance for

Banks-ECIB) to banks to augment / ensure flow of adequate bank

credit to exporters at both pre-shipment and post-shipment stages.

Both the above schemes address the credit insurance requirements

of exports made under short term (ST) basis i.e. exports with

realisation/ credit period not exceeding 180 days and some cases up

to maximum of 360 days. ECGC also offers Policy and ECIB covers

to promote Medium and Long Term exports (MLT), otherwise called

Project Exports that are made on credit period exceeding 360 days.

National Export Insurance Account (NEIA)

National Export Insurance Account (NEIA) is a vital policy

instrument that enables Govt. of India to support project exports

in the national interest thereby enabling creation of sustenance of

visible impact on India's capacity in executing projects abroad.


NEIA through its cover for project exports helps make Indian

project exporters more competitive and gain a stronger foothold in

regions of national strategic interest.

Government of India established NEIA trust in 2006 to

promote project exports from India that are of strategic and national

importance. Credit insurance covers to such projects are not

available in the private market and ECGC is not in a position to

cover such projects due to its underwriting capacity, exposure norms

and risk management constraints.

(v) India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO)

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is the premier trade

promotion agency of India, provides a broad spectrum of services

to trade and industry and acts as a catalyst for growth of India’s

trade. ITPO is a section 8 Company and its main corporate

objectives are to promote external and domestic trade of India in a

cost effective manner by organizing and participating in international

trade fairs in India and abroad; organizing buyer-seller meets and

contact promotion programmes abroad; exchanging and

coordinating visits of business delegations, and undertake need

based research to facilitate trade in specific sectors/markets; support

and assist small and medium enterprises to access markets both in

India and abroad; disseminate trade information and facilitate E-

commerce/trade; facilitate promotion of Trade in goods and

services connected with or relating to fairs, exhibitions, conventions

in India and abroad;

(E) Export Promotion Councils (EPCs)

Presently, there are fourteen Export Promotion Councils under

the Department of Commerce. Names and addresses of these

Councils are given at Annexure 1.2. These Councils are registered as

non-profit organizations under the Companies Act/Societies

Registration Act. The Councils perform both advisory and executive

functions. The role and functions of these Councils are guided by the

Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20. These Councils are also the registering

authorities for exporters under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20.

(i) Indian Oilseeds & Produce Export Promotion Council

(IOPEPC)

Indian Oilseed and Produce Export Promotion Council

(IOPEPC) is concerned with the promotion of various Oilseeds and

Oils. Formerly known as IOPEA, it was formed in 1956 and was

recognised as an Export Promotion Council in November 2006.

(ii) Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI)

The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India(CEPC) was

established by the Government of India in the year 1955, with the

active cooperation of the cashew industry. The primary objective of

the Council is to promote exports of cashew kernels and cashewnut

shell liquid from India.

(F) Advisory Bodies

(i) Board of Trade (BOT)

The Board of Trade (BOT) was reconstituted vide Trade Notice

No.21 dated 23.03.2016 as per mandate given under Para 300 of

Foreign Trade Policy Statement 2015-2020. The objective of BOT

is to have continuous discussion and consultation with trade and

industry. The Board of Trade would, inter-alia, advise the

Government on policy measures related to Foreign Trade Policy in

order to achieve the objective of boosting India’s trade.

(G) Other Organizations

(i) Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO)

FIEO was set up in 1965, as an Apex Body of Export

Promotion Organizations. It is registered under the Societies

Registration Act of 1860 with Headquarters in Delhi. It is identified

as an Export Promotion Council under Appendix 2T of Foreign

Trade Policy 2015-2020. It has 17 offices across the country covering

all the Metros and also cities like Kanpur, Ludhiana, Guwahati,

Ranchi, Indore etc. FIEO has been functioning as a platform for

interaction between exporters and policy makers. As an apex EPC,

FIEO is instrumental in channelizing the efforts of Indian exporting

community cutting across various commodities and services. It is an

ISO 9001-2008 certified Organization.

As an apex organization for Export Promotion, FIEO Managing

Committee consists of representatives of EPCs and Commodity

Boards, APEDA, MPEDA etc. In accordance Foreign Trade Policy,

FIEO is designated as Registering Authority for status holder

exporting firms and, exporters dealing in multiple products. It also

grants Certificates of Origin [Non-Preferential] required as proof

of origin of goods. FIEO functions as a servicing agency to provide

integrated assistance to over 22,000 members comprising of

exporting firms holding recognition status granted by the

Government, Consultancy firms and Service providers.

(ii) Indian Diamond Institute (IDI)

Indian Diamond Institute (IDI) was established in 1978 under

Society Registration Act, 1860 and also under the Bombay Public

Trust Act, 1950, with a focus to provide a vocational education in

the field of Diamond, Gems & Jewellery. IDI is sponsored by

Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India & is a

project of The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council. IDI

conducts vocational educational level programmes in the areas of

Diamond Manufacturing, Diamond Grading, Jewellery Designing &

Jewellery Manufacturing, Gemmology there by covering entire

spectrum of Gems & Jewellery education under one roof. Institute,

as a knowledge provider to the re-skilling programmes launched by

the GJEPC, upgrade/impart the skill to 315 small / medium

diamond/jwelleries manufacturers in interior parts of Gujarat. IDI

is also recognized as an Anchor Institute-Gems & Jewellery by

Industries Commissionerate, Government of Gujarat.

(iii) Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI)

The Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) was set

up by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department of

Commerce, Government of India in 1986 as a Society under the

Societies Registration Act, 1860 with an objective to provide skilled

manpower and technical services to the footwear industry. The

Footwear Design and Development Institute Act, 2017 has conferred

the status of “Institute of National Importance” (INI) to Footwear

Design & Development Institute (FDDI) w.e.f. 16th October, 2017

vide this Department’s notification dated 5th October, 2017.

The institute conducts wide range of professional programmes

in the area of Footwear Design & Production, Retail and Fashion

Merchandise, Fashion Leather Accessory Design and Creative

Design & CAD/CAM.

(iv) National Centre for Trade Information (NCTI)

The National Centre for Trade Information (NCTI) was

incorporated on 31st March, 1995 as a Company under Section 25

of Companies Act, 1956. The Company started functioning w.e.f.

March, 1996. It has a Board of Directors for administration of its

affairs, which includes representatives from Ministry of Commerce

& Industry, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Indian Institute of

Foreign trade (IIFT), and Directorate General of Commercial

Intelligence & Statistics (DGCI&S). Other representatives are from

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and other Export

Promotion Councils / Apex Bodies.

(v) Price Stabilization Fund Trust (PSFT)

Price Stabilization Fund Trust (PSFT) was registered as a Trust

on 11.9.2003 for a period of 10 years to administer the Price

Stabilization Fund Schemes. The Trust was implementing two


schemes viz., The Price Stabilization Fund Scheme (2003) and

Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) (2005) to provide

financial relief to small growers of plantation crops viz. tea, coffee,

rubber and tobacco when prices of these commodities fall below a

specified level. Under the Price Stabilization Fund Scheme, a Corpus

of Rs. 500 crores (Govt. of India contribution of Rs. 482.88 crores

and growers’ contribution(towards entry fee) of Rs. 17.22 crores was

to be created and the scheme was to be implemented with interest

earnings on the Corpus Fund. However, the actual contribution made

by DoC and growers to the Corpus was of the order of Rs. 432.88

crores and Rs. 2.67 crores respectively (Total: Rs. 435.55 crores). Both

these schemes were closed on 30.9.2013. The total funds available with

PSF Corpus as on 31.3.2017 amounted to Rs.1187.67 crore, which is

vested in the Public Account of the Government of India.

PSFT formulated a Modified Price Stabilization Fund Scheme,

which was discussed in the meeting held under the chairmanship of

Secretary (Expenditure) on 4.6.2014. After a detailed PowerPoint

presentation and discussion on the scheme, Secretary (Expenditure)

advised that the available Corpus with the Price Stabilization Fund

Trust may be utilized by the Department of Commerce to

implement a modified insurance premium subvention scheme for

insuring the growers.

Department of Commerce, accordingly, approved the

implementation of a pilot scheme in the name of “Revenue Insurance

Scheme for Plantation Crops(RISPC)” in nine districts of seven States

viz. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, West

Bengal and Sikkim during one crop cycle, which may spread over two

years, commencing from the year 2016-17 to protect small growers of

Tea, Coffee, Rubber & Cardamom(Small & Large) from the twin risks

of weather and price resulting in income loss caused by fall in

international/ domestic prices or yield loss due to adverse weather

parameters, pest attacks etc. at a likely estimated cost of Rs.168.77crores,

which was proposed to be shared by the Central Government

(Department of Commerce), concerned State Governments and

growers in the ratio of 75:15:10. Central Government’s share of 75%

of premium is to be met from the funds available in the PSF Corpus.

(vi) India Brand Equity Foundation

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) is a Trust established by

the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry,

Government of India in 2003 with the objective of promoting and

creating international awareness of the Brand India label in markets

overseas and to facilitate dissemination of knowledge of Indian

products and services. Towards this objective, IBEF works closely

with stakeholders across government and industry.

IBEF endeavours to ensure consistent and effective messaging on

the India growth story through brand building initiatives/campaigns

undertaken in partnership with various stakeholders ranging from lead

industry associations to export promotion councils. IBEF has been the

branding and communication partner for all The India Show(s) and trade

exhibitions organised under the aegis of the Department of Commerce.

As part of brand building, IBEF undertakes activities aimed at

promotion of knowledge, communications and exports. IBEF’s

website www.ibef.org provides extensive, accurate and

comprehensive information on the Indian economy and business

trends. Business information reports on the website span a range of

sectors besides the states, and also the export promotion councils

affiliated to the Department of Commerce. IBEF brings out a

bimonthly business magazine, India Now Business and Economy

and a range of thought leadership studies on emerging areas such

as India’s business potential, multinationals, entrepreneurial

ecosystem, and contribution to global business. Digital media and

web technologies are an integral part of its nation brand campaigns

both within India and overseas markets.

IBEF has also successfully transitioned to sectoral branding

initiatives in accordance with the priorities of the Department of

Commerce. The identified sectors where IBEF is focussing its

activities are pharmaceuticals, engineering, services, agri-products,

textiles and leather. �

Annexure-1Attached/Subordinate Offices/ Autonomous Bodies/ Public Sector Undertakings/ Export Promotion Councils/Other

Organizations under the Department of Commerce

Attached Offices

1. Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi – 110107.

2. Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties, Jeevan Tara Building, 4th Floor, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110001. Ph.:011-

23348653, 23348654

Subordinate Offices

1. Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, 565, Anandapur, Ward No. 108, Sector– 1, Plot No. 22, ECADP Kolkata –

700107 Phone: 91.33.24434055(4 lines) Fax : +91.33.24434051

2. Cochin Special Economic Zone, Administrative Building, Kakkanad, Kochi – 600030, Kerala.

3. Falta Special Economic Zone, IInd MSO Building, 4th Floor, R.No. 44, Nizam Palace Complex, 234/4, AIC Bose Road, Kolkata – 700020,

West Bengal.

4. MEPZ Special Economic Zone, National Highway 45, Administrative Office Building, Tambaram, Chennai – 600045, Tamil Nadu.

5. Kandla Special Economic Zone, Gandhidham, Kutch-370230, Gujarat.

6. SEEPZ Special Economic Zone, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400096, Maharashtra.

7. Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone, Administrative Building, Duvvada, Visakhapatnam – 530046, Andhra Pradesh.

8. Noida Special Economic Zone, Noida Dabri Road, Phase-II, Noida – 201305, Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.

9. Pay and Accounts Office (Commerce), Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi - 110107.

10. Pay and Accounts Office (Supply Division), 16-A, Akbar Road Hutments, New Delhi – 110011.

Autonomous Bodies

1. Coffee Board, 1, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Veedhi, Bangalore – 560001, Karnataka.

2. Rubber Board, Sub-Jail Road, P.B. No.1122, Kottayam – 686002, Kerala.

3. Tea Board, 14, BTM Sarani, Brabourne Road, P.B. No.2172, Kolkata – 700001, West Bengal.

4. Tobacco Board, P.B.No.322, Guntur – 522004, Andhra Pradesh.

5. Spices Board, Sugandha Bhavan, N.H. Bypass, PB-2277, Palarivattom P.O. Kochi – 682025, Kerala.

6. Marine Products Export Development Authority, MPEDA House, Panampilly Avenue, Kochi – 682036, Kerala.


7. Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, NCUI Building, Siri Institutional Area, August Kranti Marg, New

Delhi – 110016.

8. Export Inspection Council of India, 3rd Floor, NDYMCA Cultural Centre Building, 1, Jai Singh Road, New DelhI-110001.

9. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, B-21, Institutional Area, South of IIT, New Delhi – 110016.

10. Indian Institute of Packaging, B-2, MIDC Area, P.B.No. 9432, Andheri (East), Mumbai – 400096, Maharashtra.

Public Sector Undertakings

1. State Trading Corporation of India, Jawahar Vyapar Bhavan, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi - 110001.

Subsidiary of STC

1. STCL Ltd., No. 7A, "STC Trade Centre", 3rd Floor, Nandini Layout, Bengaluru – 560096, Karnataka.

2. MMTC Ltd., Scope Complex, 7, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003.

3. PEC Ltd.,“Hansalaya”, 15, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi - 110001.

4. Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd., 10th Floor, Express Towers, P.B. No. 373, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400021,

Maharashtra.

5. India Trade Promotion Organization, Pragati Maidan, Mathura Road, New Delhi – 110001.

Export Promotion Councils

1. Chemexcil, Jhansi Castle(4th Floor), 7-cooperage Road, Mumbai-400039. Phone No.22021288, 2021330 Fax No.022-2026684

2. Cashew EPC, P.B.No.1709, Chittoor Road, Ernakulam South, Cochin-682016 (Phone No. 0484-2376459,2376080 Fax No.0484-2377973)

3. CAPEXIL, Vanijya Bhavan, International Trade Facilitation Centre, 1/1 Wood Street, 3rd Floor, Kolkata-700016. (Phone No. 033-

22890524/25 Fax No.033-22891724)

4. Council for Leather Exports, No.1, CMDA Tower II, 3rd Floor, Gandhi Irwin Road, Egmore, Chennai-600008. (Phone No. 044-28594367

Fax No.044-28594363)

5. EEPC India, Vanijya Bhavan, International Trade Facilitation Centre, 1st Floor, 1/1 Wood Street, Kolkata-700016. (Phone No. 033-

22890651/52 Fax : 033- 22890654)

6. Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZ Units, 8-G, Hansalaya, 15, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi-110001.

7. Gem & Jewellery EPC, Diamond Plaza, 5th Floor, 391-A, Dr. D.B.Marg, Mumbai- 400004. (Phone No. 022-23821801, 23821806 Fax No.022-

23808752)

8. The Plastic EPC, Crystal Tower, Gundivali Road No.3, Off Sir M.V. Road, Andheri East, Mumbai- 400069. (Phone No. 022-26833951 Fax

No.022-26833953)

9. Sports Goods EPC, 1-E/6, Swami Ram Tirth Nagar, Jhandewalan Extn., New Delhi- 110055. (Phone No. 011-23516183 Fax No.011-

23632147)

10. Shellac Export Promotion Council, Vanijya Bhavan, International Trade Facilitation Centre, 2nd Floor, 1/1 Wood Street, Kolkata-700016.

(Phone No. 033-22834417, 22834697 Fax No.033-22834699)

11. Pharmexcil, 101, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh – 500038. (Tel: 23735462/66 Fax No. 23735464)

12. Services EPC, 6 A/6, 3rd Floor, NCHF Building, Siri Fort Institutional Area, August Karanti Marg, New Delhi- 110049(Tel: 011-41046328)

13. Project EPC, 123, I Floor, Behind Shankar Road Market, New Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi – 110060 (Tel.: 011-45623100-01 Fax : 91-11-

45623110)

14. Indian Oilseeds and Produce Exporters Association, 78-79 Bajaj Bhawan, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400021.

Other Organizations

1. Federation of Indian Export Organizations, Niryat Bhawan, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Opp. Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi-

110057.

2. Indian Diamond Institute, Katargam, GIDC, Sumul Dairy Road, P.B. No. 508, Surat-395008, Gujarat.

3. Footwear Design & Development Institute, A-10/A, Sector-24, Noida – 201301, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.

4. National Centre for Trade Information, NCTI Complex, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi - 110001.

5. Price Stabilisation Fund Trust, Room No.2003. 20th Floor, Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan, Tolstoy Marg, Connaught Place. New Delhi - 110001.

6. India Brand Equity Foundation, 20th Floor, Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi - 110001


EMERGING GLOBAL ECONOMIC REALITIES

AND INDIA


The global upswing in economic activity is strengthen-

ing. Global growth, which in 2016 was the weakest

since the global financial crisis at 3.2 percent, is pro-

jected to rise to 3.6 percent in 2017 and to 3.7 percent

in 2018. The growth forecasts for both 2017 and 2018

are 0.1 percentage point stronger compared with the April 2017

World Economic outlook (WEO) forecast. Broad-based upward re-

visions in the Euro area, Japan, emerging Asia, emerging Europe and

Russia- where growth outcomes in the first half of 2017 were better

than expected –more than offset downward revisions for the United

States, the United Kingdom and India.

This recovery is supporting by notable pickups in trade, invest-

ment and industrial production, coupled with strengthening business

and consumer confidence.

The pickup in global activity that started in the second half of

2016 gathered steam in the first half of 2017, reflecting firmer do-

mestic demand growth in advanced economies and China and im-

proved performance in other large emerging market economies.

Growth in China and other emerging Asia remains strong, and the

still-difficult conditions faced by several commodity exporters in

Latin America, the Commonwealth of Independent states, and sub-

Saharan Africa show some signs of improvement. In advanced

economies, the notable 2017 growth pickup is broad based, with

stronger activity in the United States and Canada, the Euro area and

Japan. Prospects for medium-term growth are more subdued, how-

ever, as negative output gaps shrink (leaving less scope for cyclical

improvement) and demographic factors and weak productivity weigh

on potential growth. The welcome cyclical pickup in global eco-

nomic activity after disappointing growth over the past few years

provides an ideal window of opportunity to undertake key reforms

designed to boost potential output and ensure that its benefits are

broadly shared and to build resilience against downside risks. With

countries still facing differences in cyclical conditions, varied stances

of monetary and fiscal policy remain appropriate. Completing the

economic recovery and adopting strategies to ensure fiscal sustain-

ability remain important goals in many economies. The continued

recovery in global investment stimulated stronger manufacturing ac-

tivity. World trade growth moderated in the second quarter after ex-

panding very rapidly in the first.

Strong trade growth is a sign of strong economic growth, as

trade provide a way for developing and emerging economies to grow

quickly, and strong import growth is associated with faster growth

in the developed countries. World trade growth was weaker in 2016

(1.3% in 2016 in comparison to 2.6% in 2015, WTO press release,

2017), due to falling import demand and slowing GDP growth in

several major developing economies as well as in North America.

However, in 2017, trade rebounded strongly (world trade growth is

3.6 % in 2017(P), WTO Press Release, Sep 2017) and this is attrib-

uted to a resurgence of Asian trade flows as intra-regional shipments

picked up and as import demand in North America recovered after

stalling in 2016.

Among emerging market and developing economies, higher

domestic demand in China and continued recovery in key emerg-

ing market economies supported growth in the first half of 2017.

In India, growth momentum slowed, reflecting the persisting im-

pact of its currency exchange initiative as well as uncertainty re-

lated to the mid-year introduction of the country-wide Goods and

Services Tax.

India’s growth projection for 2017 has been revised down to 6.7

per cent (7.2 per cent in April), reflecting still persisting disruptions

associated with the currency exchange initiative introduced in No-

vember 8, 2016 as well as the transition costs related to the launch

of the National Goods and Services Tax in July 2017. The latter

move, which promises the unification of India’s vast domestic mar-

ket, is among several key structural reforms under implementation

that are expected to help push growth above 8 per cent in the

medium term.

Global Trade Developments

Global trade continues to be sluggish with low commodity

prices, especially of minerals and petroleum products. Although

global economic recovery is expected to be modest, much of the

contribution to global economic growth is expected to be driven by

developing countries, especially emerging economies like India and

China. This denotes the fact that the centre of gravity of global eco-

nomic activity is shifting towards the Indo-Pacific region where con-

ditions are more propitious for robust economic activity.

The global economy is facing serious challenges in the form of

increasing protectionism reflected in countries contesting and exiting

trade/economic partnership agreements, questioning the functioning

of multilateral institutions, excessive use of non-tariff measures and

practices such as licenses and quotas. It is evident that these tools

are being increasingly used by developed countries to deny market

access. These developments are likely to undermine free trade with

serious consequences for developing and least developed countries’

participation in global trade in a manner that addresses their devel-

opmental concerns.

The rising tide against globalisation is another major challenge

for global trade. This has the potential to disrupt the rule-based

multilateral trading system that has served the global community

well so far in resolving differences on trade matters in a spirit of

cooperation and mutual accommodation. Whereas developing

countries have long questioned global trade arrangements on the

issue of their efficacy in addressing cross-country disparities, the

more recent disenchantment of some developed countries is the

result of unprecedented inequality and an economic underclass

within these nations, notwithstanding very high per capita incomes,

which is wrongly attributed to globalisation, whereas it has more

to do with the lack of inclusiveness of domestic socio-economic

policies. The WTO ensures equity and fair play for all countries.

Preserving and strengthening its relevance is crucial for developing

and least developed countries. Retaining the centrality of ‘devel-

opment’ in the WTO processes will ensure its relevance. However,

new issues being pushed by developed countries on the WTO

agenda could potentially undermine developmental issues and se-

riously impair its functioning.

The rapid changes in technology are impacting global trade like

never before. The increasing use of automation, artificial intelligence

and robotic engineering in manufacturing activity, characterized by

productivity enhancing servicification of manufacturing with a di-

minishing distinction between goods and services, known as Indus-

trial Revolution 4.0, will determine the competitiveness of

enterprises across the globe and those who cannot cope might be

left behind.

Increasingly, economic activity will be driven by internet-based

technologies in which e-commerce, digital trade, digital intelligence

and data collection will play a significant role. These technologies

could disrupt the traditional ‘brick and mortar’ enterprises and seri-

ously jeopardise employment opportunities. This calls for upgrada-

tion of skills to remain competitive. While some of the existing

enterprises will perish as a consequence of their inability to adapt

to change, new enterprises, particularly start-ups, will emerge. These

trends will support the global value and supply chains in a big way

as enterprises would be able to use internet platforms to access mar-

kets and make their products available at competitive prices even

from remote locations. Therefore, initiatives such as impartation of

high order skills, access to capital and technology would be crucial


Trade Facilitation in the Indian Context

Reducing number of Documents: Number of mandatory

documents required for exports and imports have been reduced to

3 each for export (from 7) and import (from 10).

Reducing number of Schemes: The New Foreign Trade Policy

(2015-20) was launched on 1st April, 2015 with a focus on support-

ing both merchandise and services exports and improving the ‘Ease

of Doing Business’. DGFT consolidated 5 different incentive

schemes under the earlier policy for rewarding merchandise exports

into a single scheme, namely the Merchandise Exports from India

Scheme(MEIS). The replaced schemes are: Focus Product Scheme

(FPS), Focus Market Scheme (FMS), Market Linked Focus Product

Scrip (MLFPS), Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojna (VKGUY),

Agri. Infrastructure Incentive Scrip.

(c) PAN of firms is being issued as IEC by the DGFT wef July

to retain competitiveness of nations.

Positive facts about India:

Investment Rating

Moody’s has upgraded the Government of India’s local and for-

eign currency issuer ratings from Baa3 to Baa2 and changed the out-

look on the rating from positive to stable. Moody’s has also raised

India’s long term foreign currency bond celling from Baa2 to Baa1

and long term foreign currency bank deposit celling from Baa3 to

Baa2. The short-term foreign currency bond ceiling remains un-

changed at P-2 and the short term foreign currency bank deposit

ceiling has been raised from P-3 to P-2. The long term local currency

deposit and bond ceilings remain unchanged at A1.

The decision to upgrade the ratings is carried by Moody’s expec-

tation that continued progress on economic and institutional re-

forms will over time, enhance India’s high growth potential and its

large and stable financing base for government debt and will likely

contribute to a gradual decline in the general government debt bur-

den over the medium term.

Ease of Doing Business

India had ranked poorly on the ease of doing business ranking

for past few years. In the previous rankings for 2017, it ranked at

130th position. Recently world bank has released Ease of Doing

Business report for 2018, which placed India at 100th rank out of

190 countries. India is among top 30 nations in three categories that

is getting electricity, securing credit and protecting minority in-

vestors. India improved its ranking on six out of ten parameters be-

coming the only large economy to do so. However, the World Bank

noted that India lagged in areas such as starting a business, enforcing

contracts and dealing with construction permits.

1, 2017. The process of making application and issuance of IEC is

online and secure. IEC has also been integrated with the eBIZ portal

of DIPP. IEC and EPCG applications have been integrated with the

eNivesh portal implemented by PMG set up by the Cabinet Secre-

tariat.

(d) Use of electronic bank realization certificate (eBRC) system

has been extended. DGFT shares data generated by the electronic

bank realization certificate (eBRC) system with 17 agencies. The

eBRC system captures details of the foreign exchange received by

exporters through the banking channel. So far DGFT has signed

MOUs with 14 state governments, 2 central government agencies

and GSTN for sharing of the data. At the state level, Commercial

Tax Departments of 14 states have signed MoU with DGFT for re-

ceiving e-BRC data for VAT refund purposes. These are: (i) Maha-

rashtra, (ii) Delhi, (iii) Andhra Pradesh,(iv) Odisha, (v) Chhattisgarh,

(vi) Haryana, (vii) Tamil Nadu, (viii) Karnataka, (ix) Gujarat, (x)

Uttar Pradesh, (xi) Madhya Pradesh, (xii) Kerala, (xiii) Goa, (xiv)

Bihar.

(e) The ‘Aayat Niryat’ Forms used for making online application

to DGFT, have been simplified bringing in clarity in different pro-

visions, and enhancing electronic governance.

Web Portals

� DGFT has launched a new look website making it more user-

friendly and easy to navigate. DGFT website has a large dy-

namic component whereby the trade community can file

applications online for IEC and various other schemes of

DGFT. The exporters can also see the status of their electronic

Bank realization certificates in almost real-time. The website is

rich in content with all documents related to Foreign Trade Pol-

icy along with a responsive online grievance redressal system.

� Indian Trade Portal launched by Department of Commerce

and managed by FIEO displays information useful for export

import. It contains the trade enquiries uploaded by Indian trade

missions, tariff and trade data of India’s major trade partners,

export market reports, and trade agreements etc.

� EXIM Dashboard launched at the commerce.gov.in website. It

allows users a graphical understanding of India’s exports and

imports at the product, country and port level. It is popular

with exporters on account of useful data depicted in uncom-

plicated manner.

(g) DGFT: Facilities for Complaint Resolution

� Contact@DGFT system has been activated at the DGFT web-

site (www.dgft.gov.in) as a single point contact for resolving all

foreign trade related issues. Exporters/importers use this fa-

cility for resolution of foreign trade related issues either di-

rectly concerning DGFT (headquarters or regional offices) or

concerning other agencies of the Central or State Govern-

ments. A reference number is issued for each request so that

the status of action taken can be tracked. Effective monitoring

arrangements have been made.

� DGFT maintains an active Twitter handle (#DGFTINDIA)

with more than 27,500 followers. Responses to tweets sent to

CIM’s account and DGFT handle are managed through the

Twitterseva service and more than 7,500 tweets have been

replied to w.e.f Apr 2016 with an average reply time of less

than 12 hours.

� Grievances on policy, procedure and implementation issues

registered at the Public grievances portal of Department of

Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances are handled

promptly.

(h) Involvement of the states in export promotion: The

Council for Trade Development and Promotion was constituted in

July 2015. It would ensure a continuous dialogue with State Govern-


ments and UT’s on measures for providing an international trade en-

abling environment in the States and create a framework for making

the States active partners in boosting India’s exports. So far two

meetings of the council have taken place. The second meeting was

held on 5.1.2017.

(i) The State governments have been requested to develop their

export strategy, appoint export commissioners, address infrastruc-

ture constraints restricting movement of goods, facilitate refund of

VAT/ Octroi/State level cess, and address other issues relating to

various clearances etc. and build capacity of new exporters, in order

to promote exports. So far, 17 States have prepared their exports

strategy.

Trade Eco System:

(a) GST related Reforms: On the export of finished products,

there is an option of either obtaining refund of GST paid or getting

exemption from payment of GST on submission of Letter of Un-

dertaking/Bond. Issue of working capital blockage of the exporters

due to upfront payment of GST on inputs has been addressed. Issue

of gold availability for exporters resolved by allowing Specified

Nominated Agency to import gold without payment of IGST. Mer-

chant exporters have been allowed to pay nominal GST of 0.1% for

procuring goods from domestic suppliers for export.

(b) Capacity Building: In the last two years, 50,000 new and

prospective exporters have been trained under the Niryat Bandhu

outreach programs through the regional offices of DGFT. DGFT

conducted outreach activities at 34 clusters, as part of Niryat

Bandhu. In addition, an online training programme has been started

with the IIFT for first time entrepreneurs.

(c) Role of Services in increasing Exports: To examine the

EXIM policies and procedures from the services view point, a new

services division set up in DGFT. The very successful Global Exhi-

bition on Services has been institutionalized as an annual event to

showcase India’s strengths in the services sector.

(d) New Markets and New products: Focus on increasing

India’s exports in under and un-tapped markets in high potential

regions like Africa, to cover not just trade in goods and investment

but also in capacity building, services such as education and health-

care. Promoting growth of exports from high value addition and

employment generating sectors with a strong domestic manufac-

turing base, to be the keystone of India’s overall export growth

strategy.

(e) Trade Infrastructure and Logistics: The Logistics Divi-

sion in the Department of Commerce was created consequent to

the amendment to the second schedule of the Government of India

(Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, on 7th July 2017, that allocated

the task of “Integrated development of Logistics Sector” to the De-

partment of Commerce. The division ids headed by a special secre-

tary to Govt. of India and has been given the mandate to develop

an Action Plan for the integrated development of logistics sector in

the Country, by way of policy changes, improvement in existing pro-

cedures, identification of bottlenecks and gaps and introduction of

technology in this sector.

Logistics division has also planned to create an IT backbone and

develop a National Logistics Information Portal which will also be

an online Logistics marketplace that will serve to bring together the

various stakeholders viz logistics service providers, buyers as well as

Central & State Government agencies such s Customs, DGFT, Rail-

ways, Ports, Airports, Inland waterways, Coastal shipping etc., on

single platform.

The planned activities of the Logistics division shall have an im-

pact not only on the domestic movement of goods by bringing down

Global value chain is one sure way to export more from India.

However, inputs and products manufactured in GVCs account for

two-thirds of the world trade. Sharp reduction in transportation

costs, advancements in information and communication technology,

and trade and investment liberalisation have facilitated fragmentation

of the production process across multiple countries. This has re-

sulted in increasing the importance of Global Value Chains. Based

on OECD and WTO Trade in Value Added database, OECD has

concluded that India has seen acceleration in its GVC integration.

As evidence, the OECD points out that over the last two decades,

the foreign content of India’s exports increased from 10% in 1995

to 24% in 2011. The sector specific studies on GVC and India shows

automobile industry is often perceived as a success story in GVC.

India’s automobile industry has achieved a global footprint. Turning

to the apparel sector, most of the Indian firms that are integrated

into GVCs are full package suppliers to some global brands.

The importance of GVC has been steadily increasing in the last

decades. Around 60% of global trade consists of trade in interme-

diate goods and services, which are then incorporated at different

stages of production (UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2013).

The development contribution of GVCs can be significant. In de-

veloping countries, value added trade contributes nearly 30 percent

to countries’ GDP on average as compared to 18 percent in devel-

oped countries. And there is a positive correlation between partici-

pation in GVCs and growth rates of GDP per capita. GVCs have a

direct economic impact on value added, jobs and income. They can

also be an important avenue for developing countries to build pro-

ductive capacity, including through technology dissemination and

skill building, thus opening up opportunities for longer-term indus-

trial upgrading.

the overall cost and increasing the speed and ease of goods move-

ment, but shall also contribute towards making Indian goods more

competitive in the global market. With the improvement in India’s

ranking in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), Indian exports

shall automatically see an enhanced growth.

Global value chain

Importance of GVC: For emerging nations, engaging in global

value chain is key to their economic development. There appears

to be a positive correlation between participation in GVC and

GDP per capita growth rates (United Nations). GVC are most ben-

eficial for countries that contribute in the higher value-added seg-

ments of a production chain. GVC participation leads to job

creation in developing countries, provided it occurs with high-skill

based value addition.


Now the question arises why India’s share with respect to par-

ticipation in GVCs are low? Some of the factors hindering India’s

active participation in GVCs are the small basket component of

India’s trade and weak global share.

Small basket: Poor trade infrastructure increases cost and time

of export operations which prohibit the country from participating

in GVCs. 70 percent of India’s export earnings come from the small

basket products. The small basket contains products that account

for 30% of world trade. The large basket holds the remaining 70

percent. These small basket items include small diamonds, jewellery,

rice, buffalo meat, shrimps, petroleum, cotton, yarn etc. The small

size of the global market limits the potential for future growth. Also,

most products face intense competition from low-cost countries

such as Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Weak global share: Electronics, telecom, and high-end engi-

neering products are large basket items. India has a weak global ex-

port share in these commodities. India has an insignificant presence

in large basket products that have become important in world trade.

Most large basket products are critical products whose parts are

manufactured in several countries. China, Japan, South Korea, Thai-

land and Malaysia have become part of GVCs through the quality

trade infrastructure trade.

What India should do to be more participative in GVC?

India needs to improve connectivity infrastructure and industrial

laws to raise its ranking in world trade. Policy initiative must target all

parts of the GVC life-cycle from conceptualisation, development of

a prototype, to manufacturing, to after-sales service. India needs to

set up a National Trade Network (NTN) to enable all export-import

related compliance online. NTN will allow exporters to file all docu-

ments online at one place; there will be no need to deal with customs,

shipping companies, sea and air ports, and banks separately. Automate

port and customs operations and allow green channel clearances

(clearance of goods without routine examination of goods) for most

consignments. India needs to match the turnaround time of the ships

with the global best parameters. This will ensure quicker transactions

and allow better use of infrastructure. Indian firms need to upgrade

production processes and product quality to meet the requirements

of GVCs. India needs to create an institution to develop standards,

set up globally accredited testing laboratories, and sign Mutual Recog-

nition Agreements (MRA) with partner countries. We need to identify

sectors with higher value addition as well as low entry barriers in global

markets, to achieve quicker export success.

These steps will reduce the cost and time of exporting and in-

crease competitiveness. In the medium term, it will decrease India’s

dependence on the import of electronic and telecom goods and in-

crease overall exports from India.

There is a plan to develop standards and benchmarking in vari-

ous facets of the sector.

Reforming The Market Regulations in Order to Create a More

Favorable Environment

The IMF during its review in Oct 2017 has suggested a three—

pronged approach for structural reform in India that includes ad-

dressing the corporate and banking sector weaknesses, continued

fiscal consolidation through revenue measure, and improving the ef-

ficiency of labour and product markets.

The fund felt that favorable outlook for Asia was an important

opportunity for India to push forward with difficult reforms. The

fund prescribed: -

� Address the corporate and banking sector weaknesses, by ac-

celerating the resolution of non-performing loans, rebuilding

the capital buffers for the public sector banks, and enhancing

banks’ debt recovery mechanisms.

� India should continue with the fiscal consolidation through

revenue measures, as well as further reductions in subsidies.

� Maintain the strong momentum for structural reforms in ad-

dressing the infrastructure gaps, improving the efficiency of

labour and product markets as well as furthering agricultural

reforms.

� Reforming the market regulations in order to create a more fa-

vorable environment for investment and employment, there is

a need to reduce the number of labour laws which currently

number around 250 across the central and the state level.

� India should also focus on closing the gender gap which may

help a great deal in boosting the employment opportunities for

women

� Improvements in infrastructure can be one important way tofacilitate the entry of women into the labour force. But in ad-

dition, there is a need to strengthening the implementation of

specific gender regulations, as well as to invest more in gender

specific training and education.

Banking Reforms

The Government took a massive step to capitalise PSBs in a

front-loaded manner, with a view to support credit growth and job

creation. This entails mobilization of capital, with maximum alloca-

tion in the current year, to the tune of about Rs 2.11 lakh crore over

the next two years, through budgetary provisions of Rs 18,139 crore,

recapitalisation bonds to the tune of Rs 1.35 lakh crore and the bal-

ance through raising of capital by banks from the market while di-

luting non-Government equity (estimated potential Rs 58,000 crore).

Recapitalisation of PSBs through widely-discussed recapitalisa-

tion bonds has precedence not only in India but also in many other

countries (Korea and Malaysia, for example). The obvious advan-

tages of such bonds are that they do not alter the fiscal maths, as

Government earned both dividends and market returns on bank

shares. The Government need not raise immediate tax revenues and

by borrowing directly from the banking system instead of the mar-

kets, the Centre can avoid crowding out private borrowings or dis-

torting market yield.

Impact of GST on Exports

GST has ushered in a new regulatory regime for India’s exports.

It introduced many positive features for domestic firms as well as

exporters. Firms now pay less number of taxes (one GST replaces

17 taxes), less amount of tax (average GST rate for industrial prod-

ucts is 18% compared to the pre GST tax burden of 25-28%), and

face less tax on tax incidences. The uniform GST rates across the

states further reduce the tax burden and compliance cost. These

changes reduce cost and improve competitiveness and hence would

be beneficial for exports.

GST treats exports as zero rated supply. This is in line with the

WTO accepted principles. Initially, the GST law required that all du-

ties must be paid at the time of sourcing of inputs for export pro-

duction and refund for these to be obtained after the exports.

However, as the exporters apprehended blockage of working capital,

on their request, the GST council in its Oct 6, 2017 meeting decided

to allow exemption from payment of GST on inputs sourced using

the Advance authorisations, EPCG and the 100% EOU schemes.

An e-Wallet scheme has been announced to replace these exemp-

tions w.e.f 1st Apr 2018 and ensure electronic accounting of exemp-

tions/refunds.

We have five months of India’s Export Data (July-November

2017) to assess the impact of GST on exports. Five months is

too short a period. The exports figure for the period July-No-


vember 2017 over the same period previous year show an increase

in exports @13.5% in US$ terms. Cumulative value of exports

for the period July-November 2017-18 was US$ 124.27 billion as

against US$ 109.48 billion in 2016-17, registering a positive

growth of 13.5 per cent in dollar terms over the same period last

year.

Conclusion and Way Forward

The trade performance of a country is very closely and insep-

arably linked with the country’s overall economic performance.

With the backdrop of world trade recovery, India’s biggest tax re-

form such as GST and improvement of indicators like Ease of

Doing Business and investment rating, one may be of optimistic

view with respect to India’s trade scenario. This will boost robust

growth forecast with a strong pull factor for inward investments in

the future. By and large, Indian economy is in good state in current

days, so these reforms will have positive long term impact. To ad-

dress the external problems very efficiently, India have to tackle all

the domestic inadequacies very carefully, no doubt long-term inter-

ventions are needed, but many short and medium term measures

such as sector specific economic policies can improve the trade

ecosystem of the country. �

Trade Growth Rate and GDP Growth Rate

Years Trade Growth GDP growth rate rate (2011-12 base year)

2006-07 30.1 9.6*

2007-08 14.8 9.3*

2008-09 32.8 6.7*

2009-10 -0.3 8.6*

2010-11 27.7 8.9*

2011-12 35.1 6.7

2012-13 12.9 5.4

2013-14 7.4 6.1

2014-15 0.3 7.2

2015-16 -9.2 7.9

2016-17(P) 5.3 6.6

*Converted to base year 2011-12 from 2004-05.Source: DGCI&S and RBI


TRENDS IN INDIA’SFOREIGN TRADE

India’s Trade Performance

India’s merchandise exports reached a level of US$ 275.85

billion during April-March 2016-17 registering a positive growth of

5.17 percent as compared to a negative growth of 15.48 percent

during the previous year. Despite the setback faced by India’s export

sector due to global slowdown, merchandise exports recorded a

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.01 percent from

April-March 2007-08 to April-March 2016-17.

World Trade Scenario

In latest forecast made by IMF, in its World Economic Outlook

(WEO) Update, October, 2016, the growth projection for India is 6.7

per cent and 7.4 per cent in years 2017 and 2018. The world output

growth is projected at 3.6 per cent and 3.7 per cent for 2017 and 2018

respectively. While the advanced economies are expected to grow at

2.2 per cent and 2.0 per cent in 2017 and 2018 respectively, growth

of emerging and developing economies is projected at 4.6 per cent

and 4.9 per cent for 2017 and 2018 respectively.

The growth in world trade volume has decreased in 2016 to 2.4

per cent from 2.8 per cent in 2015; it is expected to improve to 4.2

per cent in 2017 and to 4.0 per cent in 2018.

As per WTO’s World Trade Statistical Review 2017, in merchandise

trade, India is the 20th largest exporter in the world with a share of 1.7

per cent and the 14th largest importer with a share of 2.2 per cent in 2016.

Exports

Exports recorded a positive growth of 11.15 per cent during

Apr-Nov 2017-18 (P) over the corresponding period of the previous

year in US$ terms. The merchandise exports have reached US$

194.97 billion in Apr-Nov 2017-18 (P).

Import

Cumulative value of import during Apr-Nov 2017-18 (P) was US$

297.82 billion as against US$ 243.30 billion during the corresponding

period of the previous year registering a positive growth of 22.41 per

cent in US$ terms. Oil imports were valued at US$ 52.66 billion during

Apr-Nov 2017-18 (P) which was 21.51 per cent higher than oil import

valued at US$ 43.34 billion in the corresponding period of previous

year. Non-oil imports were valued at US$ 245.16 billion during Apr-

Nov 2017-18 (P) which was 22.61 per cent higher than non-oil import

of US$ 199.96 billion in previous year.

Trade Balance

The trade deficit in Apr-Nov 2017-18 (P) was estimated at US$

102.85 billion which was higher than the deficit of US$ 67.89 billion

during the corresponding period of the previous year. Performance of

Exports, Import and Balance of Trade both in Rupee and Dollar terms

during 2007-08 to 2017-18 (Apr-Nov) (P) is given in the tables below:

Table A: Trade Data for period 2007-08 to 2017-18 (P)

S.No Year Exports %Growth Imports %Growth Trade Balance

1 2007-2008 655864 14.71 1012312 20.44 -356448

2 2008-2009 840755 28.19 1374436 35.77 -533680

3 2009-2010 845534 0.57 1363736 -0.78 -518202

4 2010-2011 1136964 34.47 1683467 23.45 -546503

5 2011-2012 1465959 28.94 2345463 39.32 -879504

6 2012-2013 1634318 11.48 2669162 13.8 -1034844

7 2013-2014 1905011 16.56 2715434 1.73 -810423

8 2014-2015 1896348 -0.45 2737087 0.8 -840738

9 2015-2016 1716378 -9.49 2490298 -9.02 -773920

10 2016-2017 1849429 7.75 2577666 3.51 -728237

April-November 2016-17 1174997 1630200 -455203

April-November 2017-18 (P) 1258014 7.07 1921823 17.89 -663809

Data Source: DGCIS, Kolkata

Table B: Trade Data for period 2007-08 to 2017-18 (P)

S.No Year Exports %Growth Imports %Growth Trade Balance

1 2007-2008 163132 29.05 251654 35.49 -88522

2 2008-2009 185295 13.59 303696 20.68 -118401

3 2009-2010 178751 -3.53 288373 -5.05 -109621

4 2010-2011 249816 39.76 369769 28.23 -119954

5 2011-2012 305964 22.48 489319 32.33 -183356

6 2012-2013 300401 -1.82 490737 0.29 -190336

7 2013-2014 314405 4.66 450200 -8.26 -135794

8 2014-2015 310338 -1.29 448033 -0.48 -137695

9 2015-2016 262290 -15.48 381007 -14.96 -118717

10 2016-2017 275852 5.17 384356 0.88 -108504

April-November 2016-17 175411 243297 -67886

April-November 2017-18 (P) 194971 11.15 297822 22.41 -102852


(Values in Rs Crore)

Values in US$ Million



Exports by Principal Commodities:

Disaggregated data on exports of Prin-

cipal Commodities, both in Rupee and Dol-

lar terms available for the period Apr-Oct

2017-18 (P) as compared to Apr-Oct 2016-

17 are given in Table 3.1 and Table 3.2 re-

spectively in the appendix. Exports of the

top five commodities during the period

Apr-Oct 2017-18 (P) registered a share of

32.97 per cent mainly due to significant

contribution in the exports of Petroleum

Products; Pearl, precious, semi-precious

Stones; Gold and other Precious Metal Jew-

ellery; Drug Formulations Biological; and

Iron and Steel. The share of top five com-

modities in India’s total exports during

2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) is given at Chart 3.2:

The export performance (in terms of

growth) of top five commodities during

Apr-Oct 2017-18 (P) vis-a-vis the corre-

sponding period of the previous year is

shown in Chart 3.3:


Chart 3.1Year-on-Year Export Growth during 2017-18 (Apr-Nov) (P) in $ terms

Chart 3.2Share of Top Five Commodities in India’s Export Apr-Oct 2017-18 (P)



Chart 3.3Growth of Top Five Exports during 2016-17 (Apr-Oct) & 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P)


Plantation Crops

Export of Plantation crops during 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), in-

creased by 16.78 per cent in US$ terms compared to corresponding

period of the previous year. This is mainly due to double digit

growth in Tea and Coffee and more than 300 per cent growth in

Natural rubber in 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P).

Agriculture and Allied Products

Agriculture and Allied Products as a group include Rice-Basmati;

Non-Basmati; Other Cereals; Pulses; Tobacco; Spices; Cashew; Meat;

Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, etc. During 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), export

increased to US$ 15,353.04 million from US$ 13,559.89 million in

the previous year registering a positive growth of 13.22 per cent.

This is mainly because, out of 40 commodities under this commod-

ity group, 23 commodities registered a positive growth during the

said period.

Marine Products

During 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), export of marine products reg-

istered a positive growth of 29.08 per cent reaching a value of US$

4,479.12 million from US$ 3,470.04 million in the corresponding pe-

riod of the previous year.

Ores and Minerals

During 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), export of Ores and Minerals in-

creased to US$ 1,681.98 million from US$ 1,440.52 million in the

corresponding period of the previous year registering a positive

growth of 16.76 per cent. This is mainly due to positive growth in

exports of Iron Ore by 41.53 per cent and Coal, coke & Briquettes,

etc. by 25.17 per cent.

Leather and Leather Manufactures

Export of Leather and Leather Manufactures recorded a positive

growth of 0.79 per cent during 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) as the value

of exports increased to US$ 3,178.84 million from US$ 3,153.92 mil-

lion in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Gems and Jewellery

Export of Gems and Jewellery decreased to US$ 24,655.45 mil-

lion in 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) from US$ 26,602.43 million in the cor-

responding period of the previous year registering a negative growth

of 7.32 per cent. This is mainly due to the fall in exported value of

Pearl, precious, semiprecious stones and Gold by 3.07 per cent and

43.83 per cent respectively.

Sports Goods

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Sports

Goods increased to US$ 145.66 million from US$ 144.09 million in

the corresponding period of the previous year registering a positive

growth of 1.09 per cent.

Chemicals and Related Products

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Chem-

icals and Related Products increased to US$ 20,377.31 million from

US$18,724.01 million in the corresponding period of the previous

year registering a positive growth of 8.83 per cent. This is mainly

due to positive growth in exports of Dyes by 5.23 per cent, Agro

Chemicals by 15.05 per cent, Inorganic Chemicals by 35.77 per cent,

Organic Chemicals by 38.23 per cent and Residual Chemicals & Al-

lied Products by 12.01 per cent.

Plastic & Rubber Articles

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Plastic

& Rubber Articles increased to US$ 4,101.49 million from US$

3,655.37 million in the corresponding period of the previous year

registering a positive growth of 12.20 per cent. This is mainly due

to positive growth in exports of Other rubber product except

footwear by 17.87 per cent, Plastic raw materials by 17.67 per cent

and Plastic sheet, film, plates etc. by 17.82 per cent.

Articles of Stone, Plaster, Cement Asbestos, Mica or similar

materials, Ceramic products, Glass and Glassware

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of goods

in this category increased to US$ 2,575.19 million from US$ 2,390.53

million in the corresponding period of the previous year registering

a positive growth of 7.72 per cent. All the commodities under this

commodity group registered a positive growth in the said period.

Paper & Related products

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Paper

& Related products marginally increased to US$ 1,452.53 million

from US$ 1,421.74 million in the corresponding period of the pre-

vious year registering a positive growth of 2.17 per cent. Under this

commodity group, except for Books, publications and printing and

Pulp & Waste Paper; all commodities in this group have shown a

positive growth.

Base Metals

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Base

Metals increased to US$ 15,436.23 million from US$ 10,777.27 mil-

lion in the corresponding period of the previous year registering a

positive growth of 43.23 per cent. This is mainly because, all com-

modities in this group have registered positive growth during the pe-

riod except for Nickel, Product made of Nickel.

Optical, Medical & Surgical Instruments

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), export of Optical,

Medical & Surgical Instruments increased to US$ 1,247.00 million

compared to US$ 1,069.47 million in the corresponding period of

the previous year registering a positive growth of 16.60 per cent. All

commodities in this group have registered positive growth in the

said period.

Electronic Items

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), export of Electronic

Items increased to US$ 3,350.08 million from US$ 3,283.40 million

in the corresponding period of the previous year registering positive

growth of 2.03 per cent. Except for Consumer Electronics all com-

modities in this group have registered a positive growth in this

group.

Machinery

Machinery export during the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) in-

creased to US$ 13,268.78 million compared to US$ 11,582.17 million

in the corresponding period of the previous year registering a posi-

tive growth of 14.56 per cent. Under this commodity group, 12 out

of 15 commodities have registered positive growth during the pe-

riod.

Office Equipments

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Office

Equipments decreased to US$ 52.67 million from US$ 63.77 million

in the corresponding period of the previous year registering a neg-

ative growth of 17.41 per cent.

Transport Equipments

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Trans-

port Equipments increased to US$ 13,341.62 million compared to

US$12,789.09 million in the corresponding period of the previous


because all the commodities in this group have registered a positive

growth except for Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts.

Project Goods

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Project

Goods decreased to US$ 3.31 million from US$ 17.05 million in the


corresponding period of the previous year registering a negative


Textiles & Allied Products

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the export of Textiles

& Allied Products was US$ 20,411.65 million compared to US$


registering a positive growth of 4.01 per cent. During the period,

out of 25 commodities under this group, 15 commodities have reg-

istered a positive growth.

Petroleum Crude & Products

Export of Petroleum Crude & Products increased to US$

20,012.44 million during 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) as compared to US$


registering a rise of 16.45 per cent.

Import by Principal Commodities

Disaggregated data on import by principal commodities, both

in Rupee and Dollar terms; available for the period Apr-Oct 2017-

18 (P) as compared to Apr-Oct 2016-17 are given in Table 3.3 and

Table 3.4 respectively. Import of the top five commodities during

the period Apr-Oct 2017-18 (P) registered a share of 42.49 per cent

mainly due to significant import of Petroleum Crude; Gold; Pearls,

precious and semi-precious stones; Telecom Instruments; and Coal,

Coke and Briquettes etc.

The share of top five commodities in India’s total import during

2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) is given at Chart 3.4 below:

Chart 3.4Share of Top Five Commodities in India's Import Apr-Oct 2017-18 (P)



Chart 3.5Growth of Top Five Imports during 2016-17 (Apr-Oct) & 2017-18 (Apr-Oct)(P)

The import performance by growth of top five Principal commodities during 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) vis-a-vis the corresponding period

of the previous year is shown at Chart 3.5:


Plantation Crops

Import of Plantation crops during 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) in-

creased by 19.46 per cent in US$ terms. The value of import in-

creased from US$ 525.91 million in 2016-17 (Apr-Oct) to US$

628.28 million in 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P). All the commodities in this

group have reflected a positive growth.

Agriculture and Allied Products

During 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Agriculture and

Allied Products increased by 15.13 per cent over the correspon-

ding period of the previous year. The value of import increased

from US$ 12,201.53 million in 2016-17 (Apr-Oct) to

US$14,047.85 million in 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P). Out of 39 com-

modities under this group, 10 have registered negative growth

during this period.

Marine Products

During 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of marine products de-

creased to US$ 55.15 million from US$ 56.81 million in the corre-

sponding period of the previous year registering a negative growth

of 2.92 per cent.

Ores and Minerals

During 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Ores and Minerals in-

creased to US$ 16,925.31 million from US$ 10,845.77 million in the


growth of 56.05 per cent. All the commodities in this group have

reflected a positive growth except Sulphur, unroasted iron pyrite

which fell by 14.83 per cent.

Leather and Leather Manufactures

Import of Leather and Leather Manufactures recorded a

positive growth of 3.16 per cent during 2017-18 (Apr-Oct)

(P) as the value of import increased to US$ 612.94 million

from US$ 594.17 million in the corresponding period of the

previous year. This is mainly due to rise in the growth rate of

Finished Leather and Footwear of Leather which exhibits

positive growth of 2.48 per cent and 14.27 per cent

respectively.

Gems & Jewellery

During 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Gems & Jewellery in-

creased to US$ 43,671.70 million from to US$ 26,451.21 million in


growth of 65.10 per cent. All commodities in this group registered

positive growth.

Sports Goods

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Sports

Goods increased to US$ 164.41 million from US$ 128.81 million in



Chemicals and Related Products

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the import of Chem-

icals and Related Products increased to US$ 22,960.92 million from

US$ 20,369.57 million in the corresponding period of the previous

year registering a positive growth of 12.72 per cent. Out of 15 com-

modities under this group, 11 have registered positive growth during

this period.

Plastic & Rubber Articles

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Plastic

& Rubber Articles increased to US$ 9,854.17 million from US$

8,334.77 million in the corresponding period of the previous

year registering a positive growth of 18.23 per cent. All com-

modities under this group have registered positive growth during

the period.

Articles of Stone, Plaster, Cement Asbestos, Mica or similar

materials, Ceramic products, Glass and Glassware

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of goods in

this category increased to US$ 1,575.96 million from US$ 1,355.69


a positive growth of 16.25 per cent. Except for Granite, Natural

Stone & Product; all commodities in this group have registered a

positive growth.

Paper & Related products

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Paper &

Related Products increased to US$ 4,912.21 million from US$


registering a positive growth of 19.25 per cent. All commodities

under this group have registered positive growth during the period.

Base Metals

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Base Metals

increased to US$ 15,483.56 million from US$ 12,413.78 million in


growth of 24.73 per cent. Except for Zinc and products made of

zinc; all commodities in this group have registered a positive growth.

Optical, Medical & Surgical Instruments

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Optical,

Medical & Surgical Instruments was US$ 3,022.14 million compared

to US$ 2,471.41 million in the corresponding period of the previous


due to the fact that all commodities under this group have registered

positive growth during the period.

Electronic Items

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Electronic

Items was US$ 29,787.41 million compared to US$ 22,806.10 million

in the corresponding period of the previous year registering a posi-

tive growth of 30.61 per cent. All commodities under this group

have registered positive growth during the period.

Machinery

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Machinery

was US$ 21,544.20 million compared to US$ 18,541.30 million in the


growth of 16.20 per cent. Except for Nuclear reactor, including boiler,

parts; all commodities in this group have registered a positive growth.

Office Equipments

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Office

Equipments decreased to US$ 29.59 million from US$ 46.23 million

in the corresponding period of the previous year registering a neg-

ative growth of 36.00 per cent.

Transport Equipments

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Transport

Equipments stood at US$ 8,133.37 million compared to US$


registering a negative growth of 19.83 per cent. This is mainly due

to fall in the imports of Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts and Ship, boat

and Floating structure with negative growth of 41.21 per cent and

25.75 per cent respectively.

Project Goods

Import of Project Goods increased to US$ 1,251.53 million dur-

ing 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) as compared to US$ 1,132.13 million in

the corresponding period of the previous year showing a rise of

10.55 per cent.

Textiles & Allied Products

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), import of Textiles &


Allied Products was US$ 3,873.79 million compared to US$ 3,490.14


a positive growth of 10.99 per cent. Out of 25 commodities under

this category, 19 have registered positive growth in imports during

the period.

Petroleum Crude &Products

Import of Petroleum Crude & Products increased to US$

55,786.90 million during 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P) as compared to US$


registering a positive growth of 19.23 per cent. This is due to the

rise in value of imports of Petroleum Crude by 19.12 per cent and

Petroleum products by 19.69 per cent during the period.

Direction of India’s Foreign Trade

The value of India’s exports and imports from major

regions/countries both in Rupee and Dollar terms are given in Table

3.5, 3.6, 3.7 and 3.8 respectively. Share of major destinations of

India’s Exports and major sources of Import during 2017-18 (Apr-

Oct) (P) are given in Chart 3.6 and 3.7 respectively.

During the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), the share of Asia

comprising of East Asia, ASEAN, West Asia, Other West Asia,

North East Asia and South Asia accounted for 49.39 per cent of

India’s total exports. The share of America and Europe in India’s

exports stood at 21.09 per cent and 19.24 per cent respectively of

which EU countries (27) comprises 17.07 per cent. During the pe-

riod, USA (16.06 per cent) has been the most important country of

export destination followed by UAE (10.14 per cent), Hong Kong

(5.22 per cent), China P REPUBLIC (3.98 per cent) and Singapore

(3.72 per cent).

Asia accounted for 60.49 per cent of India’s total import during

the period 2017-18 (Apr-Oct) (P), followed by Europe (14.78 per

cent) and America (11.81 per cent). Among individual countries the

share of China (16.86 per cent) stood highest followed by USA (5.47

per cent), UAE (5.01 per cent), Saudi Arabia (4.65 per cent) and

Switzerland (4.38 per cent).

Chart 3.6Major Destinations of India's Exports for Apr-Oct 2017-18 (P) in US$ terms


Chart 3.7Major Sources of India's Imports for Apr-Oct 2017-18 (P)


in $ terms


ANNEXURE TABLESTABLE 3.1

Export of Principal Commodities(Values in US$ Million)

Commodity Apr-Mar Apr-Mar Apr-Oct Apr-Oct % Growth % Share2015-16 2016-17 2016-17 2017-18(P)

1. Plantation 1,562.60 1,611.74 895.02 1,045.25 16.78 0.62

Tea 720.03 731.26 410.7 462.56 12.63 0.27

Coffee 783.87 842.84 481.81 572.25 18.77 0.34

Natural Rubber 58.7 37.65 2.51 10.44 315.37 0.01

2. Agri & Allied Products 24,521.93 24,549.19 13,559.89 15,353.04 13.22 9.07

Rice -Basmati 3,477.98 3,208.60 1,817.08 2,355.79 29.65 1.39

Rice (Other Than Basmati) 2,368.64 2,525.19 1,414.15 1,993.98 41 1.18

Wheat 164.22 66.85 52.02 43 -17.34 0.03

Other Cereals 261.18 212.3 120.85 117.33 -2.91 0.07

Pulses 252.11 191.05 116.76 122.67 5.06 0.07

Tobacco Unmanufactured 665.33 634.38 361.86 337.6 -6.71 0.2

Tobacco Manufactured 316.68 324.31 194.09 187.23 -3.54 0.11

Spices 2,541.46 2,851.95 1,644.38 1,743.40 6.02 1.03

Cashew 768.55 786.93 396.61 568.96 43.46 0.34

Cashew Nut Shell Liquid 8.83 6.56 4.14 2.91 -29.74 0

Sesame Seeds 459.77 402.17 244.02 238.55 -2.24 0.14

Niger Seeds 18.99 17.46 9.47 5.58 -41.08 0

Groundnut 620.36 809.6 315.75 234.03 -25.88 0.14

Other Oil Seeds 147.77 126 46.99 93.81 99.64 0.06

Vegetable Oils 79.93 116.29 62.46 49.51 -20.73 0.03

Oil Meals 553.01 805.45 267.65 526.94 96.88 0.31

Guergam Meal 496.57 463.35 216.2 352.07 62.85 0.21

Castor Oil 705.2 674.73 388.64 627.57 61.48 0.37

Shellac 30.9 33.6 16.33 25.22 54.41 0.01

Sugar 1,490.52 1,290.71 734.32 556.88 -24.16 0.33

Molasses 101 47.06 41.62 8 -80.79 0

Fruits / Vegetable Seeds 80.89 78.16 46.23 64.9 40.4 0.04

Fresh Fruits 635.49 743.23 321.53 311.48 -3.12 0.18

Fresh Vegetables 799.93 863.12 498.95 410.66 -17.69 0.24

Processed Vegetables 258.92 263.57 152.82 156.11 2.15 0.09

Processed Fruits And Juices 574.46 584.79 330.91 351.7 6.28 0.21

Cereal Preparations 513.03 531.7 316.07 312.56 -1.11 0.18

Cocoa Products 193.31 162.18 102.14 95.47 -6.53 0.06

Milled Products 169.12 121.37 74.8 75.01 0.29 0.04

Misc. Processed Items 444.28 455.59 274.56 312.09 13.67 0.18

Animal Casings 2.61 2.06 1.34 20.15 1,399.28 0.01

Buffalo Meat 4,069.08 3,903.49 2,264.05 2,291.07 1.19 1.35

Sheep/Goat Meat 128.38 129.69 78.15 83.91 7.37 0.05

Other Meat 0.03 0.03 0.99 3,119.09 0

Processed Meat 0.96 0.69 0.25 0.52 110.14 0





Dairy Products 256.93 253.73 134.73 155.12 15.14 0.09

Poultry Products 117.42 79.11 44.63 44.23 -0.89 0.03

Floriculture Products 73.8 81.55 48.76 46.35 -4.95 0.03

Alcoholic Beverages 310.31 298.9 169.99 186.96 9.98 0.11

Ayush And Herbal Products 364 401.68 234.57 242.73 3.48 0.14

3. Marine Products 4,767.50 5,903.06 3,470.04 4,479.12 29.08 2.64

Marine Products 4,767.50 5,903.06 3,470.04 4,479.12 29.08 2.64

4. Ores & Minerals 2,014.92 3,255.61 1,440.52 1,681.98 16.76 0.99

Iron Ore 191.46 1,533.53 557.12 788.5 41.53 0.47

Mica 52.72 55.83 31.36 36.65 16.87 0.02

Coal, Coke And Briquettes Etc. 160.45 164.57 48.37 60.55 25.17 0.04

Bulk Minerals And Ores 550.51 419.21 211.23 219.18 3.76 0.13

Processed Minerals 872.82 898.51 491.18 477 -2.89 0.28

Sulphur, Unroasted Iron Pyrite 78.93 52.13 29.86 33.7 12.88 0.02

Other Crude Minerals 108.02 131.84 71.41 66.4 -7.01 0.04

5. Leather & Leather Manufactures 5,554.34 5,308.30 3,153.92 3,178.84 0.79 1.88

Raw Hides And Skins 0.28 0.33 0.08 0.16 104.29 0

Finished Leather 1,049.26 887.03 535.71 526.12 -1.79 0.31

Leather Goods 1,370.84 1,316.59 778.11 790.4 1.58 0.47

Leather Garments 553.98 535.37 331.59 319.09 -3.77 0.19

Footwear of Leather 2,148.41 2,127.90 1,247.28 1,259.58 0.99 0.74

Leather Footwear Component 285.1 298.71 175.68 192.77 9.72 0.11

Saddlery And Harness 146.47 142.37 85.45 90.72 6.16 0.05

6. Gems & Jewellery 39,283.46 43,412.76 26,602.43 24,655.45 -7.32 14.56

Pearl, Precious, Semi-precious Stones 22,297.26 24,923.77 15,465.96 14,991.24 -3.07 8.85

Gold 5,573.54 6,121.43 3,551.76 1,994.94 -43.83 1.18

Silver 7.35 11.29 6.62 5.38 -18.68 0

Other Precious And Base Metals 447.29 421.66 195.91 232.88 18.87 0.14

Gold & Other Precious 10,958.01 11,934.61 7,382.19 7,431.01 0.66 4.39

Metal Jewellery

7. Sports Goods 227.7 224.83 144.09 145.66 1.09 0.09

Sports Goods 227.7 224.83 144.09 145.66 1.09 0.09

8. Chemicals & Related Products 32,169.23 32,779.30 18,724.01 20,377.31 8.83 12.03

Fertilizers Crude 11.83 9.17 5.12 7.13 39.23 0

Fertilizers Manufactured 91.7 60.33 27.51 33.45 21.56 0.02

Bulk Drugs, Drug Intermediates 3,597.28 3,383.52 1,952.37 1,941.29 -0.57 1.15

Dye Intermediates 181.14 185.08 108.4 114.6 5.72 0.07

Dyes 1,873.95 1,923.12 1,142.56 1,202.29 5.23 0.71

Drug Formulations, Biologicals 12,647.84 12,666.44 7,465.91 7,249.75 -2.9 4.28

Agro Chemicals 1,965.71 2,140.73 1,130.93 1,301.16 15.05 0.77





Inorganic Chemicals 628.2 727.63 381.32 517.73 35.77 0.31

Organic Chemicals 4,859.52 4,844.39 2,648.26 3,660.78 38.23 2.16

Other Miscellaneous Chemicals 673.64 640.2 354.16 404.44 14.2 0.24

Cosmetics And Toiletries 1,356.58 1,454.15 833.39 941.68 12.99 0.56

Essential Oils 115.44 112.45 61.81 84.96 37.45 0.05

Residual Chemical & Allied Prod 3,505.17 3,894.92 2,175.79 2,437.02 12.01 1.44

Paint, Varnish & Allied Product 594.73 662.39 391.47 430.48 9.97 0.25

Graphite, Explosives 66.49 74.78 45.01 50.57 12.35 0.03& Accessories

9. Plastic & Rubber Articles 6,415.86 6,438.39 3,655.37 4,101.49 12.2 2.42

Other Rubber Product 922.3 961.33 536.03 631.81 17.87 0.37Except Footwear

Footwear of Rubber/Canvas Etc. 308.15 338.55 204 195.28 -4.27 0.12

Moulded And Extruded Goods 1,049.22 1,032.33 585.15 609.6 4.18 0.36

Plastic Raw Materials 2,491.33 2,508.93 1,391.77 1,637.77 17.67 0.97

Plastic Short, Film, Plates Etc. 1,030.51 1,020.56 591.88 697.37 17.82 0.41

Stationary/Office, School Supply 244.09 231.37 145.01 129.82 -10.47 0.08

Other Plastic Items 370.27 345.31 201.53 199.83 -0.84 0.12

10. Articles of Stone, Plaster, 3,879.36 4,087.58 2,390.53 2,575.19 7.72 1.52Cement, Asbestos, Mica Or Similar Materials; Ceramic Products; Glass And Glassware

Granite, Natural Stone & Product 1,832.35 1,856.08 1,073.18 1,130.82 5.37 0.67

Cement, Clinker & Asbestos Cement 335.62 374.87 217.91 232.22 6.57 0.14

Ceramics And Allied Products 990.21 1,175.13 683.01 792.19 15.99 0.47

Glass And Glassware 721.19 681.5 416.44 419.96 0.85 0.25

11. Paper & Related Products 2,347.60 2,335.17 1,421.74 1,452.53 2.17 0.86

Books, Publications & Printing 285.48 280.97 170.96 150.5 -11.97 0.09

Newsprint 2.67 2.42 1.65 2.2 33.84 0

Paper, Paper Board & Product 1,184.56 1,217.89 759.49 784.54 3.3 0.46

Plywood & Allied Products 777.69 781.52 473.93 490.77 3.55 0.29

Other Wood & Wood Products 85.88 45.35 10.02 23.86 138.07 0.01

Pulp & Waste Paper 11.32 7.01 5.7 0.66 -88.48 0

12. Base Metals 18,497.79 21,890.32 10,777.27 15,436.23 43.23 9.12

Iron And Steel 5,492.75 8,683.01 3,882.19 6,151.88 58.46 3.63

Products of Iron & Steel 6,134.95 5,895.44 3,320.87 3,800.23 14.43 2.24

Aluminium, Products of Aluminium 2,639.77 3,244.69 1,686.45 2,559.56 51.77 1.51

Copper & Products Made of Copper 2,539.74 2,672.94 1,294.50 1,968.44 52.06 1.16

Lead And Products Made of Led 181.53 236.89 79.91 191.07 139.11 0.11

Nickel, Product Made of Nickel 492.88 92.65 65.05 27.61 -57.56 0.02

Tin And Products Made of Tin 57.22 8.84 3.33 6.53 95.78 0





Zinc And Products Made of Zinc 527.07 609.71 187.79 445.96 137.48 0.26

Other Non-Ferrous Metal & Product 431.88 446.17 257.18 284.96 10.8 0.17

13. Optical, Medical & 1,635.07 1,889.58 1,069.47 1,247.00 16.6 0.74Surgical Instruments

Surgicals 302.88 333.36 193.84 211.68 9.21 0.12

Optical Items (Incl. Lens Etc.) 342.96 379.53 214.82 262.3 22.1 0.15

Medical & Scientific Instrument. 989.24 1,176.69 660.81 773.02 16.98 0.46

14. Electronics Items 5,690.23 5,689.18 3,283.40 3,350.08 2.03 1.98

Computer Hardware, Peripherals 358.18 262.38 149.05 152.95 2.62 0.09

Consumer Electronics 651.48 583.85 353.26 214.01 -39.42 0.13

Electronics Components 1,842.05 1,789.41 1,060.67 1,169.21 10.23 0.69

Electronics Instruments 1,962.80 2,009.94 1,128.94 1,158.39 2.61 0.68

Telecom Instruments 875.72 1,043.60 591.48 655.52 10.83 0.39

15. Machinery 18,922.31 20,151.74 11,582.17 13,268.78 14.56 7.84

Electrodes 42.53 40.68 24.25 24.89 2.64 0.01

Accumulators And Batteries 203.3 233.07 131.13 144.04 9.85 0.09

Hand Tool, Cutting Tool of Metals 640.6 638.95 379.24 401.95 5.99 0.24

Machine Tools 392.35 452.01 271.19 269.79 -0.51 0.16

Ac, Refrigeration Machinery Etc. 1,048.09 983.59 570.15 626.03 9.8 0.37

Cranes, Lifts And Winches 423.63 386.28 248.68 185.25 -25.51 0.11

Electric Machinery & Equipment 3,689.51 4,742.25 2,690.75 3,338.52 24.07 1.97

IC Engines And Parts 2,106.23 2,115.14 1,262.11 1,467.57 16.28 0.87

Industrial. Machinery For Dairy Etc. 4,641.95 4,640.98 2,613.40 2,874.68 10 1.7

ATM, Injecting Melding 1,262.83 1,268.77 715.72 851.06 18.91 0.5Machinery Etc.

Nuclear Reactor, 680.77 669.96 411.98 330.69 -19.73 0.2Industrial Boiler, Part

Other Construction Machinery 1,077.86 1,067.42 575.57 737.91 28.21 0.44

Other Misc. Engineering Items 1,988.33 2,132.95 1,261.74 1,460.60 15.76 0.86

Prime Mica And Mica Products 17.15 18.17 10.18 12.57 23.43 0.01

Pumps Of All Types 707.18 761.5 416.07 543.22 30.56 0.32

16. Office Equipments 89.49 117.92 63.77 52.67 -17.41 0.03

Office Equipments 89.49 117.92 63.77 52.67 -17.41 0.03

17. Transport Equipments 21,336.08 23,163.13 12,789.09 13,341.62 4.32 7.88

Auto Tires And Tubes 1,387.25 1,494.25 848.15 984.6 16.09 0.58

Auto Components/Parts 4,217.37 4,205.38 2,465.19 2,817.97 14.31 1.66

Bicycle And Parts 298.44 293.68 169.16 179.42 6.07 0.11

Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts 3,729.36 3,381.66 1,900.21 1,302.20 -31.47 0.77

Motor Vehicle/Cars 6,727.44 7,547.45 4,319.86 4,326.72 0.16 2.55

Railway Transport 109.93 231.92 113.49 179.84 58.46 0.11Equipments, Parts





Ship, Boat & Floating Structure 3,088.46 4,370.60 2,024.15 2,420.26 19.57 1.43

Two And Three Wheelers 1,777.84 1,638.19 948.88 1,130.61 19.15 0.67

18. Project Goods 25.13 28.74 17.05 3.31 -80.58 0

Project Goods 25.13 28.74 17.05 3.31 -80.58 0

19. Textiles & Allied Products 35,952.65 35,766.63 19,625.18 20,411.65 4.01 12.05

Manmade Staple Fiber 540.41 594.24 322.73 368.84 14.29 0.22

Cotton Yarn 3,608.12 3,337.49 1,702.29 1,784.80 4.85 1.05

Cotton Fabrics, Made-ups Etc. 5,266.17 5,212.53 3,041.82 3,113.64 2.36 1.84

Other Textile Yarn, 335.69 358.21 205.45 227.16 10.57 0.13Fabric made-up Article

Silk, Raw 0.22 0.07 0.02 0 -97.96 0

Natural Silk Yarn, Fabrics, made-up 84.05 61.81 39.24 31.82 -18.92 0.02

Manmade Yarn, Fabrics, Made-up 4,621.63 4,557.08 2,637.34 2,756.00 4.5 1.63

Wool, Raw 0.44 0.22 0.14 0.33 141.99 0

Woolen Yarn, Fabrics, Made-up etc. 196.44 174.87 98.79 97.7 -1.11 0.06

RMG Cotton Include Accessories 9,091.55 8,513.22 4,837.67 4,745.32 -1.91 2.8

RMG Silk 244.06 141.71 67.22 90.8 35.08 0.05

RMG Manmade Fibers 4,181.71 5,035.94 2,726.61 3,116.83 14.31 1.84

RMG Wool 262.37 214.5 146.87 108.3 -26.26 0.06

RMG Of Other Textile Material 3,184.54 3,462.79 2,042.37 1,943.56 -4.84 1.15

Coir And Coir Manufactures 261.59 294.96 167.05 191.47 14.62 0.11

Handloom Products 368.52 359.73 210.91 214.88 1.88 0.13

Silk Waste 13.74 14.58 9.28 8.05 -13.21 0

Jute, Raw 17.18 11.44 6.95 6.42 -7.6 0

Jute Yarn 18.34 10.65 4.61 11.03 139.38 0.01

Jute Hessian 125.54 138.23 78.19 84.78 8.43 0.05

Floor Caring of Jute 34 37.75 22.19 25.93 16.85 0.02

Other Jute Manufactures 117.47 123.31 66.2 77.45 16.99 0.05

Carpet (Excl. Silk) Handmade 1,437.60 1,480.69 854.9 838.19 -1.96 0.49

Silk Carpet 2.6 9.5 3.9 0.92 -76.43 0

Cotton Raw Including. Waste 1,938.66 1,621.11 332.43 567.43 70.7 0.34

20. Petroleum Crude & Products 30,582.72 31,545.26 17,185.66 20,012.44 16.45 11.82

Petroleum: Crude

Petroleum Products 30,582.72 31,545.26 17,185.66 20,012.44 16.45 11.82

21. Others 6,814.13 5,703.27 3,493.78 3,179.77 -8.99 1.88

Other Commodities 4,303.28 2,823.01 1,725.47 1,566.32 -9.22 0.92

Human Hair, Products Thereof 301.15 295.55 166.2 149.71 -9.92 0.09

Packaging Materials 572.04 657.96 385.97 411.31 6.56 0.24

Handcrafts 1,637.67 1,926.75 1,216.13 1,052.43 -13.46 0.62(Excl. Handmade Carpet)

Total 262,290.12 275,851.71 155,344.40 169,349.39 9.02 100

Department of Commerce | Annual Report 2017-18 | 39Data Source: DGCIS, Kolkata


Import of Principal Commodities (Values in US$ Million)


1. Plantation 895.75 841.22 525.91 628.28 19.46 0.24

Tea 58.04 50.45 32.56 32.73 0.52 0.01

Coffee 122.59 138.2 73.28 93.95 28.2 0.04

Natural Rubber 715.12 652.57 420.07 501.6 19.41 0.19

2. Agri & Allied Products 20,673.58 23,210.67 12,201.53 14,047.85 15.13 5.45

Rice-Basmati

Rice (Other Than Basmati) 0.91 1.08 0.58 0.98 69.85 0

Wheat 135.45 1,268.64 170.07 255.04 49.97 0.1

Other Cereals 51.84 73.3 29.87 50.66 69.58 0.02

Pulses 3,902.22 4,244.13 1,906.55 2,084.84 9.35 0.81

Tobacco Unmanufactured 20.54 11.47 0.95 3.2 237.81 0

Tobacco Manufactured 29.74 34.07 19.94 16.44 -17.57 0.01

Spices 823.79 858.95 478.47 554.52 15.9 0.22

Cashew 1,339.34 1,346.58 920.75 1,030.16 11.88 0.4

Cashew Nut Shell Liquid 0.87 0.55 0.5 0.17 -65.46 0

Sesame Seeds 27.59 65.88 24.83 15.99 -35.59 0.01

Niger Seeds 6.76 12.38 8.77 2.87 -67.3 0

Groundnut 0.05 0.21 0.04 1.61 4,273.84 0

Other Oil Seeds 32.99 58.55 28.66 29.79 3.93 0.01

Vegetable Oils 10,492.08 10,892.75 6,210.82 7,234.16 16.48 2.81

Oil Meals 65.26 145.3 92.13 75.52 -18.02 0.03

Guergam Meal 2.07 0.36 0.18 0.29 59.15 0

Castor Oil 0.17 0.22 0.15 0.17 10.64 0

Shellac 2.99 2.01 0.81 1.47 81.95 0

Sugar 612.24 1,021.81 504.18 631.16 25.19 0.24

Molasses 1.16 1.35 0.62 9.57 1,449.41 0

Fruits / Vegetable Seeds 107.57 97.42 66.93 82.1 22.67 0.03

Fresh Fruits 1,694.84 1,682.88 925.45 1,075.54 16.22 0.42

Fresh Vegetables 59.78 1.66 1.19 2.85 139.8 0

Processed Vegetables 18.4 17.16 9.87 10.52 6.55 0

Processed Fruits And Juices 80.31 81.73 46.36 69.46 49.83 0.03

Cereal Preparations 87.81 86.33 50.73 53.53 5.53 0.02

Cocoa Products 212.96 229.67 127.99 125.26 -2.13 0.05

Milled Products 3.26 2.42 1.47 1.29 -12.32 0

Misc. Processed Items 277.2 315.61 182.86 202.64 10.82 0.08

Animal Casings

Sheep / Goat Meat 0.73 1.27 0.63 1.15 82.43 0





Other Meat 2.64 2.84 1.48 2.25 52.32 0

Processed Meat 0.42 0.67 0.43 0.23 -47.06 0

Dairy Products 56.64 38.02 25.58 29.17 14.03 0.01

Poultry Products 4.04 4.41 3.26 2.17 -33.36 0

Floriculture Products 17.43 19.96 12.34 12.19 -1.21 0

Alcoholic Beverages 447.38 535.56 315.25 346.29 9.85 0.13

Ayush And Herbal Products 54.13 53.5 30.84 32.58 5.65 0.01

3. Marine Products 97.23 94.37 56.81 55.15 -2.92 0.02

Marine Products 97.23 94.37 56.81 55.15 -2.92 0.02

4. Ores & Minerals 20,684.17 21,636.83 10,845.77 16,925.31 56.05 6.57

Iron Ore 494.25 322.25 203.76 292 43.3 0.11

Mica 0.86 1.28 0.62 1.06 69.74 0

Coal, Coke And Briquettes Etc. 13,667.59 15,759.93 7,713.37 12,261.18 58.96 4.76

Bulk Minerals And Ores 5,256.25 4,286.96 2,205.60 3,367.23 52.67 1.31

Processed Minerals 714.85 862.37 477.6 759.49 59.02 0.29

Sulphur, Unroasted Iron Pyrite 217.1 131.19 83.95 71.5 -14.83 0.03

Other Crude Minerals 333.28 272.84 160.86 172.85 7.46 0.07

5. Leather & Leather Manufactures 1,031.28 992.81 594.17 612.94 3.16 0.24

Raw Hides And Skins 62.96 57.15 33.53 28.92 -13.75 0.01

Finished Leather 596.45 552.18 334.67 342.96 2.48 0.13

Leather Goods 82.84 68.28 43.21 36.27 -16.08 0.01

Leather Garments 7.99 1.67 1.14 2.16 88.56 0

Footwear Of Leather 253.18 290.07 166.51 190.27 14.27 0.07

Leather Footwear Component 27.62 23.13 14.88 12.11 -18.59 0

Saddlery And Harness 0.25 0.32 0.21 0.25 16.74 0

6. Gems & Jewellery 56,508.62 53,738.63 26,451.21 43,671.70 65.1 16.94

Pearl, Precious, 20,069.95 23,808.59 13,662.18 19,570.83 43.25 7.59Semi precious Stones

Gold 31,770.74 27,518.03 11,427.72 19,925.50 74.36 7.73

Silver 3,742.74 1,839.17 1,013.79 2,081.62 105.33 0.81

Other Precious And Base Metals 218.82 191.2 100.33 201.83 101.16 0.08

Gold & Other 706.37 381.63 247.19 1,891.92 665.38 0.73Precious Metal Jewellery

7. Sports Goods 221.01 224.19 128.81 164.41 27.64 0.06

Sports Goods 221.01 224.19 128.81 164.41 27.64 0.06

8. Chemicals & Related Products 36,888.21 33,680.84 20,369.57 22,960.92 12.72 8.91

Fertilizers Crude 1,013.87 758.21 469.82 437.29 -6.92 0.17





Fertilizers Manufactured 7,057.65 4,265.75 3,308.96 3,075.63 -7.05 1.19

Bulk Drugs, Drug Intermediates 3,248.36 2,738.47 1,596.28 1,663.80 4.23 0.65

Dye Intermediates 607.41 607.91 322.34 459.03 42.4 0.18

Dyes 319.62 304.86 183.24 193.71 5.71 0.08

Drug Formulations, Biologicals 1,582.60 1,662.18 1,001.81 988.25 -1.35 0.38

Agro Chemicals 843.94 1,049.21 704.18 859.1 22 0.33

Inorganic Chemicals 4,447.11 3,947.29 2,453.88 2,645.30 7.8 1.03

Organic Chemicals 9,623.24 9,879.06 5,562.20 6,792.05 22.11 2.63

Other Miscellaneous Chemicals 596.74 528.42 304.24 360.62 18.53 0.14

Cosmetics And Toiletries 941.25 1,051.61 619.62 745.56 20.33 0.29

Essential Oils 134.1 142.85 80.18 79.73 -0.56 0.03

Residual Chemical & Allied Prod 5,087.35 5,298.35 2,973.35 3,588.43 20.69 1.39

Paint, Varnish & Allied Product 1,320.49 1,369.92 749.66 992.78 32.43 0.39

Graphite, explosives & accessories 64.48 76.77 39.81 79.65 100.06 0.03

9. Plastic & Rubber Articles 13,760.68 14,019.63 8,334.77 9,854.17 18.23 3.82

Other Rubber Product 1,685.60 1,747.61 1,028.70 1,213.90 18 0.47Except Footwear

Footwear Of Rubber/Canvas Etc. 192.2 221.98 132.73 181.75 36.93 0.07

Moulded And Extruded Goods 1,190.02 1,246.59 746.71 794.05 6.34 0.31

Plastic Raw Materials 8,821.51 8,810.00 5,246.30 6,232.64 18.8 2.42

Plastic Sheet, Film, Plates Etc. 1,066.82 1,144.28 665.91 801.82 20.41 0.31

Stationary/Office, School Supply 88.32 86.07 52.65 58.15 10.45 0.02

Other Plastic Items 716.2 763.1 461.77 571.85 23.84 0.22

10. Articles Of Stone, Plaster, 2,438.51 2,271.48 1,355.69 1,575.96 16.25 0.61Cement, Asbestos, Mica Or Similar Materials; Ceramic Products; Glass And Glassware

Granite, Natural Stone & Product 500.15 449.78 285.29 262.69 -7.92 0.1

Cement, Clinker & Asbestos Cement 104.19 139.81 86.72 92.03 6.12 0.04

Ceramics And Allied Products 866.43 628.32 368.71 465.06 26.13 0.18

Glass And Glassware 967.74 1,053.56 614.97 756.18 22.96 0.29

11. Paper & Related Products 7,157.27 6,993.65 4,119.39 4,912.21 19.25 1.91

Books, Publications & Printing 348.02 276.86 159.09 180.26 13.31 0.07

Newsprint 805.41 849.88 489.96 506.04 3.28 0.2

Paper, Paper Board And Product 2,407.64 2,601.94 1,474.31 1,906.97 29.35 0.74

Plywood And Allied Products 1,082.55 1,087.77 658.86 809.74 22.9 0.31

Other Wood And Wood Products1,557.93 1,202.07 756.26 807.42 6.76 0.31

Pulp And Waste Paper 955.72 975.14 580.9 701.77 20.81 0.27





12. Base Metals 24,703.54 21,551.87 12,413.78 15,483.56 24.73 6.01

Iron And Steel 11,251.89 8,238.88 4,653.46 6,207.95 33.41 2.41

Products of Iron And Steel 3,725.66 3,444.17 1,985.19 2,120.21 6.8 0.82

Aluminum, Products of Aluminum 3,507.21 3,557.04 2,080.19 2,520.01 21.14 0.98

Copper & Products Made of Copper 3,358.76 3,449.40 1,984.80 2,660.07 34.02 1.03

Lead & Products Made of Led 491.9 597.09 326.66 426.22 30.48 0.17

Nickel, Product Made of Nickel 901.86 554.94 354.65 358.04 0.95 0.14

Tin & Products Made of Tin 192.53 173.32 97.14 134.11 38.06 0.05

Zinc & Products Made of Zinc 460.49 701.65 462.21 442.78 -4.2 0.17

Other Non-Ferrous Metal & Product 813.24 835.39 469.49 614.17 30.82 0.24

13. Optical, Medical & 4,176.62 4,398.06 2,471.41 3,022.14 22.28 1.17Surgical Instruments

Surgical 554.89 540.82 311.34 329.59 5.86 0.13

Optical Items (Incl. Lens Etc.) 332.79 311.51 172.93 395.53 128.73 0.15

Medical & Scientific Instrument 3,288.94 3,545.73 1,987.14 2,297.02 15.59 0.89

14. Electronics Items 40,021.93 41,930.39 22,806.10 29,787.41 30.61 11.55

Computer Hardware, Peripherals 7,508.87 6,894.35 3,996.68 4,645.45 16.23 1.8

Consumer Electronics 4,106.49 3,992.18 2,420.15 2,690.12 11.15 1.04

Electronics Components 7,115.42 8,407.68 4,145.85 5,674.83 36.88 2.2

Electronics Instruments 5,888.50 6,064.61 3,339.26 4,019.70 20.38 1.56

Telecom Instruments 15,402.65 16,571.57 8,904.15 12,757.31 43.27 4.95

15. Machinery 33,217.30 32,768.63 18,541.30 21,544.20 16.2 8.36

Electrodes 81.38 83.17 50.07 51.56 2.97 0.02

Accumulators And Batteries 836.51 865.32 480.3 692.65 44.21 0.27

Hand Tool, Cutting Tool of Metals 845.52 777.72 454.73 539.76 18.7 0.21

Machine Tools 1,911.93 2,256.85 1,260.96 1,323.16 4.93 0.51

Ac, Refrigeration Machinery Etc. 4,042.86 2,898.60 1,610.55 1,761.79 9.39 0.68

Cranes, Lifts And Winches 1,147.97 1,379.85 816.49 892.95 9.37 0.35

Electric Machinery & Equipment 6,040.66 6,315.78 3,598.83 4,586.82 27.45 1.78

IC Engines And Parts 2,080.68 1,925.17 1,088.94 1,367.92 25.62 0.53

Including Machinery for Dairy Etc. 9,669.28 9,375.97 5,262.12 5,868.13 11.52 2.28

ATM, Injecting Melding 771.01 817.21 483.47 520.63 7.69 0.2Machinery Etc.

Nuclear Reactor, 562.17 354.98 208.86 136.36 -34.71 0.05Including Boiler, Part

Other Construction Machinery 1,456.28 1,666.07 890.84 1,111.94 24.82 0.43

Other Misc. Engineering Items 2,756.23 2,997.88 1,720.07 1,970.84 14.58 0.76

Prime Mica And Mica Products 203.29 208.42 123.62 138.78 12.27 0.05





Pumps Of All Types 811.52 845.65 491.46 580.91 18.2 0.23

16. Office Equipments 124.22 91.56 46.23 29.59 -36 0.01

Office Equipments 124.22 91.56 46.23 29.59 -36 0.01

17. Transport Equipments 15,394.27 19,560.20 10,145.37 8,133.37 -19.83 3.15

Auto Tyres And Tubes 515.28 507.99 328.29 297.98 -9.23 0.12

Auto Components/Parts 4,370.13 4,063.06 2,381.60 2,856.83 19.95 1.11

Bicycle And Parts 184.85 226.48 137.67 140.8 2.28 0.05

Aircraft, Spacecraft And Parts 4,983.82 8,372.38 4,468.24 2,627.01 -41.21 1.02

Motor Vehicle/Cars 288.59 328.51 175.15 165.55 -5.48 0.06

Railway Transport 500.14 369.29 239.98 244.32 1.81 0.09Equipments, Parts

Ship, Boat & Floating Structure 4,503.37 5,652.13 2,391.45 1,775.66 -25.75 0.69

Two And Three Wheelers 48.09 40.38 23 25.22 9.69 0.01

18. Project Goods 2,761.07 2,074.44 1,132.13 1,251.53 10.55 0.49

Project Goods 2,761.07 2,074.44 1,132.13 1,251.53 10.55 0.49

19. Textiles & Allied Products 5,332.57 5,516.64 3,490.14 3,873.79 10.99 1.5

Manmade Staple Fiber 402.59 365.94 215.3 204.33 -5.1 0.08

Cotton Yarn 41.69 52.25 31.82 19.79 -37.81 0.01

Cotton Fabrics, Made-up Etc. 504.34 372.73 229.97 275.62 19.85 0.11

Other Textile Yarn, 766.52 711.58 424.78 556.16 30.93 0.22Fabric Made-up Article

Silk, Raw 153.71 162.88 95 114.37 20.39 0.04

Natural Silk Yarn, Fabrics, made-up 46.55 44.76 26.66 31.59 18.47 0.01

Manmade Yarn, Fabrics, Made-up 1,727.44 1,606.85 970.27 1,071.91 10.48 0.42

Wool, Raw 308.47 282.42 166.7 181.33 8.77 0.07

Woolen Yarn, Fabrics, Made-up etc. 58.74 44.11 28.48 39.98 40.39 0.02

RMG Cotton 269.27 288.6 173.71 179.93 3.58 0.07Including Accessories

RMG Silk 4.83 3.91 2.39 2.67 12.1 0

RMG Manmade Fibers 167.81 175.95 110.38 138.19 25.2 0.05

RMG Wool 14.17 11.2 7.24 7.78 7.44 0

RMG Of Other Textile Material 124.5 116.34 68.27 87.69 28.45 0.03

Coir And Coir Manufactures 4.7 7.25 4.06 5.11 25.93 0

Handloom Products 10.43 5.35 2.82 5.41 92.04 0

Silk Waste 5.53 2.24 1.67 0.8 -52.46 0

Jute, Raw 55.68 104.96 80.75 23.57 -70.81 0.01

Jute Yarn 77.57 74.95 52.38 27.57 -47.36 0.01

Jute Hessian 27.79 8.6 2.83 8.4 197.26 0





Floor Covering Of Jute 1.23 0.89 0.75 0.85 13.29 0

Other Jute Manufactures 85.54 54.57 32.11 31.9 -0.66 0.01

Carpet (Excl. Silk) Handmade 79.35 71.42 40.9 53.26 30.21 0.02

Silk Carpet 0.01 0.02 0 0

Cotton Raw Including Waste 394.1 946.88 720.91 805.59 11.75 0.31

20. Petroleum Crude & Products 82,944.47 86,963.84 46,788.46 55,786.90 19.23 21.64

Petroleum: Crude 65,922.98 70,705.39 37,791.57 45,018.25 19.12 17.46

Petroleum Products 17,021.49 16,258.45 8,996.89 10,768.65 19.69 4.18

21. Others 11,974.33 11,795.59 7,016.42 3,478.99 -50.42 1.35

Other Commodities 11,017.77 10,747.05 6,356.73 2,891.30 -54.52 1.12

Human Hair, Products Thereof 8.29 5.93 3.38 3.37 -0.49 0

Packaging Materials 255.48 258.82 147.64 168.94 14.43 0.07

Handcrafts 692.79 783.79 508.66 415.38 -18.34 0.16(Excl. Handmade Carpet)

Total 381,006.62 384,355.56 209,834.97 257,800.38 22.86 100


Exports to Principal Regions and Countries(Values in US$ Million)

Region/Countries Apr-Mar Apr-Mar Apr-Oct Apr-Oct % Growth % Share2015-16 2016-17 2016-17 2017-18(P)

1) Europe 50343.68 53241.06 30035.29 32580.99 8.48 19.24

1.1 EU Countries 44496.26 47195.06 26483.67 28904.64 9.14 17.07

1) U K 8858.00 8551.14 5111.81 5263.03 2.96 3.11

2) Germany 7094.57 7183.86 4092.86 4780.59 16.80 2.82

3) Belgium 5027.65 5656.92 3132.43 3284.67 4.86 1.94

4) France 4633.73 5250.27 2682.65 2724.83 1.57 1.61

5) Netherland 4727.38 5071.22 2775.57 3084.97 11.15 1.82

6) Italy 4218.20 4902.70 2590.42 3114.66 20.24 1.84

7) Spain 3237.46 3426.13 1922.78 2204.54 14.65 1.30

8) Poland 1025.30 1197.81 676.19 863.45 27.69 0.51

9) Sweden 683.64 708.93 418.64 435.18 3.95 0.26

10) Denmark 688.85 693.00 391.27 431.58 10.30 0.25

11) Portugal 589.64 669.66 366.60 411.23 12.17 0.24

12) Czech Republic 488.53 533.14 383.35 224.39 -41.47 0.13

13) Ireland 526.12 485.42 274.20 295.37 7.72 0.17






14) Hungary 345.13 406.29 231.37 228.68 -1.16 0.14

15) Austria 339.83 383.16 225.58 258.51 14.60 0.15

16) Greece 335.72 381.07 200.02 210.29 5.14 0.12

17) Finland 248.57 269.90 150.50 166.59 10.69 0.10

18) Romania 255.74 257.57 153.75 198.08 28.84 0.12

19) Slovenia 265.00 251.63 154.25 163.52 6.01 0.10

20) Bulgaria 145.53 239.53 174.87 92.85 -46.90 0.05

21) Slovak Rep 137.51 146.15 86.34 86.58 0.28 0.05

22) Malta 325.03 137.23 66.54 130.61 96.29 0.08

23) Latvia 79.50 115.60 56.86 61.69 8.50 0.04

24) Estonia 63.68 97.50 54.34 48.37 -11.00 0.03

25) Lithuania 88.09 95.99 50.89 60.42 18.72 0.04

26) Cyprus 59.80 71.77 52.61 74.01 40.68 0.04

27) Luxembourg 8.07 11.48 6.99 5.97 -14.60 0.00

1.2 European Free 1538.21 1240.69 709.82 674.60 -4.96 0.40Trade Association (EFTA)

1) Switzerland 977.21 978.34 554.27 524.29 -5.41 0.31

2) Norway 541.63 244.89 141.69 145.67 2.81 0.09

3) Iceland 18.55 16.72 13.52 3.51 -74.03 0.00

4) Liechtenstein 0.82 0.73 0.34 1.14 233.18 0.00

1.3 Other European Countries 4309.21 4805.31 2841.81 3001.74 5.63 1.77

1) Turkey 4140.01 4626.59 2738.31 2870.12 4.81 1.69

2) Croatia 112.44 124.13 70.12 101.17 44.27 0.06

3) Albania 24.04 26.45 17.43 14.55 -16.52 0.01

4) Macedonia 12.87 14.88 8.47 8.97 5.90 0.01

5) Bosnia-Herzegovina 19.70 13.10 7.32 6.93 -5.38 0.00

6) Union Of Serbia & Montenegro 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.00 -99.42 0.00

2) Africa 25026.78 23129.39 13379.22 14182.00 6.00 8.37

2.1 Southern African 3804.70 3785.71 2044.79 2472.51 20.92 1.46Customs Union (SACU)

1) South Africa 3588.75 3545.97 1921.71 2353.88 22.49 1.39

2) Namibia 73.62 89.88 42.63 25.44 -40.32 0.02

3) Botswana 52.38 77.12 43.39 62.15 43.24 0.04

4) Swaziland 59.90 39.56 18.32 15.22 -16.89 0.01

5) Lesotho 30.06 33.18 18.76 15.82 -15.64 0.01

2.2 Other South African Countries 1968.37 1510.90 847.69 769.87 -9.18 0.45

1) Mozambique 1241.99 1009.97 551.07 408.55 -25.86 0.24





2) Zambia 298.11 237.21 154.67 150.45 -2.73 0.09

3) Angola 223.19 154.63 72.00 143.57 99.40 0.08

4) Zimbabwe 205.08 109.08 69.94 67.30 -3.78 0.04

2.3 West Africa 6095.39 5651.72 3301.65 3916.06 18.61 2.31

1) Nigeria 2221.90 1764.11 1003.92 1167.95 16.34 0.69

2) Ghana 623.73 681.03 437.49 386.93 -11.56 0.23

3) Senegal 545.84 634.10 366.76 427.99 16.69 0.25

4) Benin 427.30 447.89 309.52 337.54 9.05 0.20

5) Cote D' Ivories 397.04 418.66 186.12 316.74 70.18 0.19

6) Guinea 278.57 354.95 207.82 209.77 0.94 0.12

7) Togo 532.19 315.70 211.19 279.77 32.47 0.17

8) Cameroon 190.99 148.79 74.60 129.11 73.07 0.08

9) Liberia 133.88 146.30 88.07 186.04 111.23 0.11

10) Congo P Rep 166.66 135.82 91.54 64.30 -29.75 0.04

11) Burkina Faso 108.79 114.94 64.23 74.56 16.09 0.04

12) Mali 107.93 107.70 55.96 67.25 20.16 0.04

13) Sierra Leone 91.17 93.71 43.46 44.29 1.90 0.03

14) Niger 80.16 81.24 43.37 73.87 70.32 0.04

15) Mauritania 58.35 65.98 41.05 40.62 -1.06 0.02

16) Gambia 59.54 62.38 29.51 68.27 131.34 0.04

17) Gabon 36.82 43.34 26.11 25.89 -0.82 0.02

18) Guinea Bissau 14.47 21.66 12.04 7.22 -40.02 0.00

19) Equilateral Guinea 17.53 11.24 7.64 6.48 -15.11 0.00

20) Cape Verde Is 1.43 1.25 0.65 0.85 31.82 0.00

21) Sao Tome 0.93 0.92 0.59 0.62 5.62 0.00

22) St Helena 0.16 0.02 0.02 0.00 -95.19 0.00

2.4 Central Africa 1251.50 1044.92 615.03 653.25 6.22 0.39

1) Uganda 569.94 494.48 289.97 279.88 -3.48 0.17

2) Congo D. Rep. 317.63 199.19 122.69 126.13 2.80 0.07

3) Malawi 176.13 178.42 96.38 150.01 55.64 0.09

4) Rwanda 106.08 88.05 55.96 51.37 -8.19 0.03

5) Chad 43.49 38.52 24.97 13.00 -47.94 0.01

6) Burundi 29.06 35.98 18.85 25.71 36.39 0.02

7) C Africa Rep 9.17 10.29 6.19 7.14 15.33 0.00

2.5 East Africa 7311.87 6728.81 3986.37 3526.60 -11.53 2.08

1) Kenya 3025.85 2194.29 1259.24 1090.46 -13.40 0.64

2) Tanzania Rep 1654.64 1783.57 1125.97 798.58 -29.08 0.47





3) Mauritius 855.73 881.38 469.53 544.66 16.00 0.32

4) Ethiopia 793.62 773.50 500.70 457.65 -8.60 0.27

5) Somalia 486.60 504.04 290.61 298.80 2.82 0.18

6) Djibouti 204.55 280.41 195.29 159.21 -18.47 0.09

7) Madagascar 197.04 213.70 88.38 115.63 30.83 0.07

8) Reunion 42.70 41.16 22.96 27.44 19.50 0.02

9) Seychelles 34.14 35.96 21.54 22.47 4.32 0.01

10) Comoros 17.01 20.78 12.16 11.71 -3.72 0.01

2.6 North Africa 4594.95 4407.33 2583.69 2843.70 10.06 1.68

1) Egypt A Republic 2337.65 2067.35 1233.96 1471.51 19.25 0.87

2) Algeria 787.81 841.89 478.34 383.72 -19.78 0.23

3) Sudan 782.35 748.71 442.56 527.73 19.24 0.31

4) Morocco 342.19 373.91 208.09 243.08 16.81 0.14

5) Tunisia 222.37 255.42 142.65 146.17 2.47 0.09

6) Libya 122.58 120.05 78.08 71.49 -8.44 0.04

7) Canary Is

3) America 52754.27 54912.56 32425.42 35711.18 10.13 21.09

3.1 North America 45223.42 47681.59 28242.55 30748.48 8.87 18.16

1) U S A 40339.85 42216.48 25120.22 27203.59 8.29 16.06

2) Mexico 2865.16 3460.98 1968.76 2224.28 12.98 1.31

3) Canada 2018.42 2004.13 1153.57 1320.60 14.48 0.78

3.2 Latin America 7530.85 7230.97 4182.87 4962.70 18.64 2.93

1) Brazil 2650.34 2400.48 1398.71 1752.56 25.30 1.03

2) Colombia 888.11 784.51 449.53 532.24 18.40 0.31

3) Peru 703.12 696.42 412.54 434.67 5.36 0.26

4) Chile 679.32 674.34 377.85 421.38 11.52 0.25

5) Argentina 536.50 510.73 299.81 422.95 41.07 0.25

6) Guatemala 255.97 241.23 138.42 173.25 25.16 0.10

7) Dominic Rep 175.11 224.98 135.40 111.12 -17.93 0.07

8) Panama Republic 201.41 220.21 133.96 150.71 12.51 0.09

9) Ecuador 153.20 197.73 101.10 165.93 64.13 0.10

10) Uruguay 152.81 187.80 89.62 89.96 0.38 0.05

11) Costa Rica 134.76 159.31 90.24 70.69 -21.67 0.04

12) Honduras 155.05 134.97 82.78 85.95 3.82 0.05

13) Paraguay 98.22 125.03 71.98 90.90 26.28 0.05

14) Nicaragua 82.54 86.33 56.74 48.01 -15.38 0.03

15) Trinidad 92.88 84.53 47.68 55.86 17.17 0.03





16) Bolivia 74.43 79.52 43.95 56.93 29.53 0.03

17) Haiti 62.27 71.44 40.02 55.69 39.15 0.03

18) Venezuela 130.66 62.22 40.84 57.83 41.59 0.03

19) El Salvador 68.54 60.45 35.38 35.96 1.65 0.02

20) Jamaica 40.21 43.01 25.48 30.87 21.14 0.02

21) Cuba 54.31 41.79 23.99 22.80 -4.96 0.01

22) Netherland antic 37.25 38.12 25.43 26.84 5.57 0.02

23) Guyana 21.87 20.07 10.70 12.56 17.39 0.01

24) Belize 14.51 15.23 8.06 8.92 10.68 0.01

25) Barbados 10.50 12.35 7.31 9.22 26.13 0.01

26) Suriname 12.86 10.50 6.41 11.26 75.69 0.01

27) Bahamas 11.96 5.93 3.26 4.52 38.88 0.00

28) Virgin Is Us 4.23 5.33 2.01 1.18 -41.30 0.00

29) Cayman Is 3.54 4.74 3.01 2.63 -12.64 0.00

30) Guadeloupe 2.87 4.39 2.73 4.08 49.12 0.00

31) St Lucia 2.67 4.32 2.07 1.73 -16.30 0.00

32) Bermuda 2.59 4.20 2.35 2.42 2.87 0.00

33) Martinique 4.44 4.13 3.16 2.61 -17.47 0.00

34) St Kitt N A 2.20 3.09 2.07 1.75 -15.52 0.00

35) Grenada 1.87 3.02 2.13 1.85 -12.94 0.00

36) Dominica 1.47 2.46 1.94 0.93 -52.00 0.00

37) Antigua 2.56 1.97 1.32 1.60 21.76 0.00

38) Fr Guiana 1.17 1.47 1.15 1.35 17.47 0.00

39) Turks C Is 0.16 0.78 0.43 0.10 -77.75 0.00

40) St Vincent 0.55 0.78 0.58 0.45 -22.72 0.00

41) Montserrat 0.96 0.62 0.38 0.01 -96.48 0.00

42) Br Virgn Is 0.84 0.41 0.36 0.43 20.85 0.00

43) Falkland Is 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

4) Asia 127846.80 137747.64 75320.23 83649.74 11.06 49.39

4.1 East Asia (Oceania) 3667.24 3369.00 1989.78 2670.47 34.21 1.58

1) Australia 3263.11 2957.79 1743.83 2414.01 38.43 1.43

2) New Zealand 308.04 309.66 180.97 193.43 6.88 0.11

3) Fiji Is 44.15 52.52 35.36 31.98 -9.55 0.02

4) Papua N Gna 39.45 36.28 23.93 23.70 -0.97 0.01

5) Nauru Republic 0.01 2.53 0.00 1.34 31172.09 0.00

6) Timor Leste 3.42 2.31 0.72 1.90 164.25 0.00

7) Solomon Is 2.71 2.31 1.71 0.76 -55.62 0.00





8) Vanuatu Rep 2.01 2.08 1.21 1.20 -1.33 0.00

9) Samoa 2.22 1.77 0.98 1.14 17.34 0.00

10) Tonga 1.12 1.21 0.57 0.50 -13.23 0.00

11) Kiribati Rep 0.94 0.47 0.42 0.44 4.69 0.00

12) Tuvalu 0.06 0.08 0.08 0.06 -20.05 0.00

4.2 ASEAN 25154.71 30961.78 15597.96 19192.82 23.05 11.33

1) Singapore 7719.97 9564.67 4777.96 6298.54 31.82 3.72

2) Vietnam Soc Rep 5266.15 6786.56 3409.74 4242.25 24.42 2.51

3) Malaysia 3706.91 5224.88 2462.84 3055.16 24.05 1.80

4) Indonesia 2819.55 3488.16 1794.13 2083.06 16.10 1.23

5) Thailand 2987.86 3133.44 1661.55 1990.36 19.79 1.18

6) Philippines 1374.23 1482.52 865.03 906.95 4.85 0.54

7) Myanmar 1070.65 1107.89 528.47 511.24 -3.26 0.30

8) Cambodia 143.01 105.06 55.77 64.15 15.02 0.04

9) Brunei 28.45 42.88 25.63 29.88 16.61 0.02

10) Lao Pd Republic 37.94 25.72 16.84 11.24 -33.26 0.01

4.3 West Asia- GCC 41678.97 41768.35 24571.25 23362.99 -4.92 13.80

1) U Arab Emirates 30290.01 31175.50 18566.18 17165.36 -7.54 10.14

2) Saudi Arab 6394.48 5110.28 3003.17 2926.58 -2.55 1.73

3) Oman 2190.79 2728.30 1407.51 1497.40 6.39 0.88

4) Kuwait 1247.51 1497.99 861.73 761.95 -11.58 0.45

5) Qatar 902.04 784.56 443.69 699.12 57.57 0.41

6) Bahrain Is 654.14 471.71 288.97 312.58 8.17 0.18

4.4 Other West Asia 7883.08 7879.16 4480.33 4986.73 11.30 2.94

1) Israel 2821.23 3087.18 1753.85 1741.90 -0.68 1.03

2) Iran 2781.52 2379.62 1396.41 1685.29 20.69 1.00

3) Iraq 1004.39 1111.45 641.76 801.44 24.88 0.47

4) Jordan 499.76 522.41 256.81 253.90 -1.13 0.15

5) Yemen Republic 399.79 446.13 249.20 280.16 12.43 0.17

6) Lebanon 239.55 210.65 119.54 140.66 17.67 0.08

7) Syria 136.83 121.74 62.77 83.38 32.83 0.05

4.5 Ne Asia 30842.48 34547.17 18311.27 21889.09 19.54 12.93

1) Hong Kong 12092.21 14047.24 8210.90 8846.95 7.75 5.22

2) China P Republic 9013.54 10171.69 4678.83 6736.15 43.97 3.98

3) Korea Republic 3523.72 4242.56 2200.67 2491.35 13.21 1.47

4) Japan 4662.91 3845.82 2181.19 2609.96 19.66 1.54

5) Taiwan 1428.81 2183.74 1003.88 1150.61 14.62 0.68





6) Korea Dp Republic 110.88 44.84 28.80 39.20 36.13 0.02

7) Mongolia 8.44 9.78 5.93 7.79 31.40 0.00

8) Macao 1.97 1.51 1.09 7.08 551.96 0.00

4.6 South Asia 18620.32 19222.18 10369.64 11547.64 11.36 6.82

1) Bangladesh Pr 6034.95 6820.13 3534.08 4206.70 19.03 2.48

2) Nepal 3930.09 5453.59 3050.91 3305.98 8.36 1.95

3) Sri Lanka Dsr 5309.53 3913.15 2183.22 2413.28 10.54 1.43

4) Pakistan Ir 2171.16 1821.88 887.87 850.08 -4.26 0.50

5) Bhutan 468.95 509.28 313.94 260.58 -17.00 0.15

6) Afghanistan Tis 526.60 506.34 293.95 397.43 35.20 0.23

7) Maldives 179.04 197.79 105.67 113.60 7.50 0.07

5) CIS & Baltics 2391.64 2793.94 1562.51 1756.18 12.39 1.04

5.1 Cars Countries 362.46 338.32 181.43 203.64 12.24 0.12

1) Kazakhstan 151.91 120.88 65.49 65.89 0.60 0.04

2) Uzbekistan 94.64 108.97 50.59 64.81 28.12 0.04

3) Turkmenistan 68.53 57.60 36.57 40.64 11.13 0.02

4) Kyrgyzstan 25.11 30.44 17.63 17.84 1.18 0.01

5) Tajikistan 22.26 20.44 11.15 14.46 29.69 0.01

5.2 Other CIS Countries 2029.18 2455.62 1381.08 1552.54 12.41 0.92

1) Russia 1587.81 1937.06 1088.33 1259.17 15.70 0.74

2) Ukraine 259.12 310.16 170.43 179.44 5.29 0.11

3) Georgia 82.57 90.93 59.71 39.76 -33.40 0.02

4) Azerbaijan 33.38 40.27 15.77 24.11 52.86 0.01

5) Belarus 35.70 40.16 21.20 24.72 16.57 0.01

6) Armenia 22.78 30.33 21.82 21.18 -2.93 0.01

7) Moldova 7.81 6.71 3.82 4.16 8.95 0.00

6) Unspecified Region 3926.95 4027.12 2621.72 1469.30 -43.96 0.87

1) Unspecified 2414.29 2436.40 1478.79 1207.05 -18.38 0.71

2) Gibraltar 1182.88 1286.88 955.69 96.06 -89.95 0.06

3) Puerto Rico 115.00 105.87 74.29 34.18 -53.99 0.02

4) Installations In International Waters 7.11 79.66 45.23 34.74 -23.18 0.02

5) Serbia 43.34 50.07 29.53 34.17 15.73 0.02

6) Montenegro 26.19 36.37 19.93 34.45 72.87 0.02

7) New Caledonia 4.68 8.09 4.32 7.99 85.10 0.00

8) Aruba 6.92 7.91 4.50 3.99 -11.33 0.00

9) Fr Polynesia 3.81 4.13 2.40 4.52 88.47 0.00

10) South Sudan 3.24 1.70 3.71 118.76 0.00





11) Eritrea 6.45 3.22 1.79 4.93 174.58 0.00

12) Monaco 1.05 1.53 0.92 1.30 41.69 0.00

13) Us Minor Outlying Islands 0.17 1.08 0.74 0.37 -50.14 0.00

14) Faroe Is. 1.75 0.59 0.57 0.01 -97.75 0.00

15) Guam 0.38 0.49 0.25 0.48 88.93 0.00

16) Norfolk Is 0.33 0.28 0.28 0.14 -51.62 0.00

17) San Marino 0.26 0.23 0.08 0.10 23.42 0.00

18) Mayotte 0.17 0.07 0.04 -48.30 0.00

19) Cook Is 0.05 0.15 0.14 0.16 18.40 0.00

20) Andorra 0.12 0.14 0.10 0.26 159.07 0.00

21) Marshall Island 101.91 0.14 0.07 0.03 -49.16 0.00

22) Micronesia 0.36 0.14 0.11 0.24 123.96 0.00

23) America Samoa 0.16 0.08 0.05 0.18 262.25 0.00

24) Pitcairn Is. 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00

25) Anguilla 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.01 -35.78 0.00

26) Vatican City 0.05 0.04 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00

27) Palau 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.03 35.05 0.00

28) Tokelau Is 0.03 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00

29) Cocos Is 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00

30) N. Mariana Is. 0.56 0.01 0.01 0.04 182.31 0.00

31) Panama C Z 0.16 0.01 0.01 0.01 64.41 0.00

32) Wallis F Is 0.01 0.01 0.05 772.22 0.00

33) Saharwi A.Dm Republic 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 950.00 0.00

34) Sint Maarten (Dutch Part) 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

35) Greenland 8.81 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

36) Fr S Ant Tr 0.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

37) Antarctica 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

38) Channel Is

39) Christmas Is. 0.03

40) Niue Is 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

41) Heard Macdonald

42) St Pierre 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Total 262290.13 275851.71 155344.41 169349.40 9.02 100.00




Import from Principal Regions and Countries(Values in US$ Million)


1) Europe 64632.91 61446.85 33106.63 38113.91 15.12 14.78

1.1 EU Countries 43898.10 42359.23 24214.82 25589.31 5.68 9.93

1) Germany 12088.37 11583.67 6626.42 7418.67 11.96 2.88

2) Belgium 8256.06 6624.63 4335.73 3367.59 -22.33 1.31

3) France 3730.31 5707.77 2995.11 2914.73 -2.68 1.13

4) Italy 4072.22 3895.01 2262.60 2578.30 13.95 1.00

5) U K 5192.54 3664.96 2150.13 2698.01 25.48 1.05

6) Spain 1646.02 1968.77 906.84 948.93 4.64 0.37

7) Netherland 1859.90 1895.71 1016.71 1288.70 26.75 0.50

8) Sweden 1484.85 1161.12 670.48 846.63 26.27 0.33

9) Finland 1002.37 1011.67 532.49 684.04 28.46 0.27

10) Austria 827.11 908.34 551.26 518.89 -5.87 0.20

11) Poland 569.66 690.98 372.49 421.95 13.28 0.16

12) Czech Republic 507.89 539.25 315.06 379.49 20.45 0.15

13) Ireland 551.51 525.82 276.27 309.55 12.05 0.12

14) Denmark 428.54 481.55 279.82 289.83 3.58 0.11

15) Romania 309.30 317.36 183.62 216.19 17.74 0.08

16) Lithuania 214.35 271.16 124.27 95.71 -22.98 0.04

17) Hungary 242.64 218.78 113.54 148.97 31.21 0.06

18) Bulgaria 93.72 182.22 69.90 78.52 12.33 0.03

19) Portugal 102.54 141.16 85.17 112.81 32.46 0.04

20) Greece 111.03 121.95 60.43 48.46 -19.82 0.02

21) Estonia 142.04 102.47 61.52 35.83 -41.76 0.01

22) Slovenia 88.60 101.68 64.26 62.82 -2.24 0.02

23) Slovak Rep 64.64 68.53 42.81 46.72 9.14 0.02

24) Cyprus 48.18 66.59 51.43 7.78 -84.87 0.00

25) Luxembourg 175.72 46.08 23.15 27.00 16.63 0.01

26) Latvia 61.57 39.65 28.15 36.61 30.07 0.01

27) Malta 26.43 22.37 15.20 6.59 -56.63 0.00

1.2 European Free 19890.28 17821.01 8138.65 11792.96 44.90 4.57Trade Association (EFTA)

1) Switzerland 19299.49 17248.68 7924.60 11302.20 42.62 4.38

2) Norway 585.37 566.79 211.97 487.17 129.83 0.19

3) Iceland 4.25 4.68 1.53 2.95 92.27 0.00

4) Liechtenstein 1.18 0.86 0.55 0.65 17.23 0.00

1.3 Other European Countries 844.53 1266.62 753.15 731.64 -2.86 0.28

1) Turkey 776.94 1207.31 727.03 653.32 -10.14 0.25





2) Croatia 36.00 25.36 7.70 21.60 180.49 0.01

3) Macedonia 7.08 24.13 14.62 20.06 37.19 0.01

4) Albania 17.20 6.50 1.43 31.49 2104.70 0.01

5) Bosnia-Herzegovina 4.40 3.32 2.38 5.17 117.51 0.00

6) Union Of Serbia & Montenegro 2.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2) Africa 31667.23 28844.72 15186.64 20470.34 34.79 7.94

2.1 Southern African 6546.83 7255.61 3443.64 4881.23 41.75 1.89Customs Union (SACU)

1) South Africa 5948.42 5833.75 2816.49 3864.75 37.22 1.50

2) Botswana 542.23 1307.39 592.40 938.90 58.49 0.36

3) Namibia 10.42 50.31 19.82 32.04 61.69 0.01

4) Swaziland 40.82 39.24 8.74 5.12 -41.40 0.00

5) Lesotho 4.94 24.91 6.19 40.41 552.61 0.02

2.2 Other South African Countries 3629.51 3947.14 1859.85 3113.40 67.40 1.21

1) Angola 2766.81 2596.49 1184.88 1950.50 64.62 0.76

2) Zambia 475.38 743.90 445.33 565.93 27.08 0.22

3) Mozambique 362.88 546.29 210.27 565.07 168.73 0.22

4) Zimbabwe 24.45 60.46 19.36 31.90 64.78 0.01

2.3 West Africa 16740.61 13024.96 7313.90 9322.31 27.46 3.62

1) Nigeria 9949.17 7659.48 4180.72 5026.04 20.22 1.95

2) Ghana 2981.27 1938.54 523.80 1385.49 164.51 0.54

3) Equilateral Guinea 457.30 797.85 716.89 380.79 -46.88 0.15

4) cote d'ivoire 572.48 455.81 392.50 374.46 -4.60 0.15

5) Cameroon 557.54 359.11 258.62 145.36 -43.79 0.06

6) Senegal 263.95 315.85 208.76 224.19 7.39 0.09

7) Guinea 370.05 279.20 156.32 366.55 134.49 0.14

8) Burkina Faso 238.11 256.42 92.19 424.97 360.96 0.16

9) Guinea Bissau 198.17 215.67 201.65 231.35 14.73 0.09

10) Benin 275.66 207.40 179.50 182.23 1.52 0.07

11) Congo P Rep 201.64 156.52 123.50 93.25 -24.49 0.04

12) Togo 225.09 138.42 95.82 100.07 4.43 0.04

13) Mali 242.78 99.23 78.55 106.73 35.88 0.04

14) Gabon 105.63 69.46 47.66 161.95 239.79 0.06

15) Gambia 31.35 43.20 38.18 49.20 28.85 0.02

16) Sierra Leone 16.56 12.23 7.73 15.94 106.26 0.01

17) Mauritania 18.56 10.95 6.94 1.84 -73.52 0.00

18) Liberia 32.20 7.65 3.64 30.55 740.42 0.01





19) Cape Verde Is 2.77 1.90 0.93 1.60 71.95 0.00

20) Niger 0.32 0.03 0.01 19.76 142023.74 0.01

21) Sao Tome 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

22) St Helena 0.00

2.4 Central Africa 530.75 368.70 250.11 262.74 5.05 0.10

1) Chad 320.88 169.36 139.72 56.57 -59.51 0.02

2) Congo D. Rep. 97.76 85.92 43.93 151.73 245.44 0.06

3) Uganda 45.52 68.93 43.08 35.89 -16.70 0.01

4) Malawi 64.31 41.33 21.39 11.54 -46.04 0.00

5) Burundi 0.11 1.60 1.06 3.21 201.65 0.00

6) Rwanda 1.35 1.18 0.62 2.78 347.28 0.00

7) C Africa Rep 0.83 0.38 0.31 1.03 232.71 0.00

2.5 East Africa 1326.79 1319.11 503.10 671.32 33.44 0.26

1) Tanzania Rep 924.79 948.49 283.00 502.68 77.63 0.19

2) Madagascar 141.74 119.82 55.70 63.25 13.56 0.02

3) Kenya 127.55 104.36 69.96 41.39 -40.83 0.02

4) Ethiopia 60.99 67.07 47.52 25.28 -46.79 0.01

5) Comoros 15.10 25.65 8.08 12.22 51.22 0.00

6) Mauritius 20.36 18.37 12.65 11.29 -10.71 0.00

7) Somalia 15.58 17.70 15.56 2.38 -84.67 0.00

8) Reunion 18.78 13.90 8.34 9.46 13.40 0.00

9) Djibouti 1.23 2.82 1.77 2.71 52.76 0.00

10) Seychelles 0.67 0.93 0.52 0.63 22.36 0.00

2.6 North Africa 2892.76 2929.21 1816.04 2219.34 22.21 0.86

1) Egypt A Republic 1221.20 1163.77 689.78 680.10 -1.40 0.26

2) Morocco 1077.58 792.93 514.33 463.09 -9.96 0.18

3) Algeria 299.44 605.12 404.92 687.51 69.79 0.27

4) Sudan 149.20 245.15 114.24 283.77 148.41 0.11

5) Tunisia 136.49 114.80 88.88 86.48 -2.71 0.03

6) Libya 8.86 7.45 3.89 18.39 373.20 0.01

3) America 45990.40 46674.11 25311.59 30451.50 20.31 11.81

3.1 North America 28298.61 29383.48 15741.45 18390.79 16.83 7.13

1) U S A 21781.39 22307.44 12439.44 14096.84 13.32 5.47

2) Canada 4234.03 4131.52 1890.86 2704.29 43.02 1.05

3) Mexico 2283.19 2944.52 1411.16 1589.67 12.65 0.62

3.2 Latin America 17691.79 17290.63 9570.14 12060.71 26.02 4.68

1) Venezuela 5701.81 5512.06 3100.54 3660.85 18.07 1.42





2) Brazil 4040.09 4114.69 2014.01 2880.76 43.04 1.12

3) Argentina 2471.52 2500.75 1614.70 1640.19 1.58 0.64

4) Chile 1960.67 1226.34 735.49 1127.07 53.24 0.44

5) Peru 820.22 1076.69 501.45 1296.15 158.48 0.50

6) Dominic Rep 478.62 674.86 482.88 307.37 -36.35 0.12

7) Colombia 807.79 593.96 289.61 319.97 10.48 0.12

8) Ecuador 563.77 355.99 150.39 134.75 -10.40 0.05

9) Bahamas 77.23 258.82 258.14 5.88 -97.72 0.00

10) Panama Republic 72.49 201.83 23.95 34.74 45.05 0.01

11) Bolivia 240.25 173.54 29.71 366.79 1134.62 0.14

12) Trinidad 91.94 173.54 73.35 24.39 -66.74 0.01

13) Paraguay 112.26 155.28 113.31 88.63 -21.78 0.03

14) Netherland antil 59.24 66.70 62.81 5.22 -91.70 0.00

15) Costa Rica 62.21 58.83 42.59 51.98 22.04 0.02

16) Suriname 43.33 45.92 15.67 47.78 204.87 0.02

17) Honduras 15.91 22.16 16.55 9.45 -42.89 0.00

18) Guatemala 12.52 21.70 12.88 10.25 -20.44 0.00

19) Guyana 18.48 14.48 9.06 4.23 -53.34 0.00

20) Uruguay 17.71 13.45 7.24 18.87 160.77 0.01

21) Br Virgn Is 1.55 6.72 6.65 0.26 -96.06 0.00

22) El Salvador 6.18 5.77 2.82 6.12 116.78 0.00

23) Virgin Is Us 1.08 4.53 0.08 0.15 84.85 0.00

24) Haiti 3.28 3.61 2.43 4.12 69.73 0.00

25) Nicaragua 3.85 2.62 1.76 2.94 66.74 0.00

26) Fr Guiana 1.16 1.45 0.26 0.12 -53.28 0.00

27) Cuba 1.33 1.31 0.77 1.29 68.05 0.00

28) Jamaica 1.55 1.17 0.47 3.28 594.79 0.00

29) Dominica 0.10 0.77 0.01 0.14 1260.38 0.00

30) Belize 1.01 0.52 0.29 1.17 306.50 0.00

31) St Lucia 0.45 0.24 0.13 0.27 111.11 0.00

32) Barbados 0.17 0.18 0.10 0.07 -27.00 0.00

33) Grenada 0.06 0.00 0.14 0.00 0.00

34) Turks C Is 0.02 0.03 0.00 0.02 358.33 0.00

35) Cayman Is 0.02 0.02 5.26 28048.66 0.00

36) Bermuda 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

37) St Kitt N A 0.16 0.01 0.00 0.00 -50.00 0.00

38) Antigua 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 735.71 0.00





39) Falkland Is 1.75 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

40) St Vincent 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

41) Guadeloupe 0.06 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

42) Martinique

43) Montserrat

4) Asia 222627.92 230569.05 127070.66 155938.00 22.72 60.49

4.1 East Asia (Oceania) 9702.58 11828.22 5176.07 8142.97 57.32 3.16

1) Australia 8898.78 11154.48 4771.07 7640.73 60.15 2.96

2) New Zealand 547.61 504.44 309.83 391.61 26.39 0.15

3) Papua N Gna 179.59 108.06 67.41 70.92 5.21 0.03

4) Solomon Is 67.67 53.96 21.05 39.21 86.25 0.02

5) Samoa 2.46 6.30 6.24 0.18 -97.11 0.00

6) Fiji Is 0.37 0.60 0.28 0.24 -13.21 0.00

7) Timor Leste 0.03 0.17 0.03 0.07 127.16 0.00

8) Tuvalu 0.01 0.13 0.08 0.00 -98.44 0.00

9) Tonga 0.00 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00

10) Nauru Republic 5.76 0.04 0.03 0.01 -62.54 0.00

11) Vanuatu Rep 0.29 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

12) Kiribati Rep

4.2 ASEAN 39909.60 40617.31 22609.22 26596.18 17.63 10.32

1) Indonesia 13131.93 13427.99 6881.75 9405.01 36.67 3.65

2) Malaysia 9083.83 8933.59 5211.21 5211.81 0.01 2.02

3) Singapore 7308.38 7086.57 3919.58 4040.60 3.09 1.57

4) Thailand 5510.16 5415.40 3168.97 3917.69 23.63 1.52

5) Vietnam Soc Rep 2560.39 3320.56 1952.30 2573.65 31.83 1.00

6) Myanmar 984.27 1067.25 804.43 540.76 -32.78 0.21

7) Brunei 554.02 627.85 289.07 286.56 -0.87 0.11

8) Philippines 542.16 494.62 282.04 465.15 64.93 0.18

9) Lao Pd Republic 180.03 207.38 79.10 125.27 58.38 0.05

10) Cambodia 54.43 36.10 20.78 29.68 42.79 0.01

4.3 West Asia- GCC 55790.47 55171.91 30388.94 35116.87 15.56 13.62

1) U Arab Emts 19445.68 21509.83 11600.17 12927.84 11.45 5.01

2) Saudi Arab 20321.33 19972.40 11048.48 11975.94 8.39 4.65

3) Qatar 9022.16 7646.22 4237.72 4493.76 6.04 1.74

4) Kuwait 4969.69 4462.28 2513.86 3272.45 30.18 1.27

5) Oman 1674.71 1290.50 800.14 2238.88 179.81 0.87

6) Bahrain Is 356.90 290.69 188.58 208.00 10.30 0.08





4.4 Other West Asia 20139.82 25071.08 13395.16 16187.23 20.84 6.28

1) Iraq 10837.58 11707.94 6215.61 8744.51 40.69 3.39

2) Iran 6278.75 10506.51 5461.84 5637.03 3.21 2.19

3) Israel 2095.33 1961.12 1158.51 1161.31 0.24 0.45

4) Jordan 853.12 828.24 517.51 598.86 15.72 0.23

5) Syria 40.54 32.25 18.01 18.72 3.98 0.01

6) Lebanon 27.61 30.21 20.57 21.32 3.65 0.01

7) Yemen Republic 6.88 4.81 3.11 5.46 75.76 0.00

4.5 NE Asia 94110.44 95067.13 53798.26 68196.00 26.76 26.45

1) China P Republic 61706.83 61281.57 34988.93 43465.09 24.23 16.86

2) Korea Republic 13047.12 12585.35 6793.74 9904.20 45.78 3.84

3) Japan 9850.22 9754.64 5678.88 6172.34 8.69 2.39

4) Hong Kong 6051.66 8204.18 4417.90 6419.08 45.30 2.49

5) Taiwan 3354.28 3142.89 1838.08 2203.58 19.89 0.85

6) Korea DP Republic 87.90 88.59 74.02 25.94 -64.95 0.01

7) Macao 8.29 7.91 5.14 4.42 -14.00 0.00

8) Mongolia 4.14 1.99 1.57 1.34 -14.80 0.00

4.6 South Asia 2975.01 2813.40 1703.01 1698.76 -0.25 0.66

1) Bangladesh PR 727.15 701.68 434.09 319.67 -26.36 0.12

2) Sri Lanka Dsr 742.79 602.20 343.74 407.32 18.50 0.16

3) Pakistan IR 441.03 454.49 292.88 298.70 1.99 0.12

4) Nepal 470.59 445.13 250.01 233.24 -6.71 0.09

5) Bhutan 281.27 307.82 225.99 201.07 -11.03 0.08

6) Afghanistan Tis 307.90 292.90 151.05 235.31 55.79 0.09

7) Maldives 4.29 9.17 5.25 3.45 -34.18 0.00

5) CIS & Baltics 7078.38 9322.77 4531.00 7325.84 61.68 2.84

5.1 Cars Countries 456.91 612.45 305.96 738.52 141.38 0.29

1) Kazakhstan 352.93 521.29 248.90 642.52 158.15 0.25

2) Uzbekistan 45.26 46.54 28.42 22.78 -19.84 0.01

3) Tajikistan 9.98 21.82 11.22 32.32 187.96 0.01

4) Turkmenistan 46.97 21.32 16.99 10.22 -39.84 0.00

5) Kyrgyzstan 1.79 1.48 0.42 30.68 7159.96 0.01

5.2 Other CIS Countries 6621.47 8710.32 4225.04 6587.31 55.91 2.56

1) Russia 4584.98 5552.30 2935.94 4913.68 67.36 1.91

2) Ukraine 1751.10 2481.47 997.14 1275.35 27.90 0.49

3) Azerbaijan 77.09 461.67 174.26 286.25 64.27 0.11

4) Belarus 164.90 170.57 99.06 89.09 -10.06 0.03





5) Georgia 24.47 31.52 16.30 21.74 33.39 0.01

6) Moldova 4.89 11.73 1.41 0.87 -38.71 0.00

7) Armenia 14.04 1.05 0.93 0.33 -64.26 0.00

6) Unspecified Region 9009.78 7498.04 4628.45 5500.79 18.85 2.13

1) Unspecified 8709.59 7343.64 4518.40 5397.19 19.45 2.09

2) Puerto Rico 50.17 49.99 25.18 49.64 97.13 0.02

3) Eritrea 167.45 36.41 35.04 1.96 -94.41 0.00

4) Serbia 22.34 27.24 17.30 15.39 -11.03 0.01

5) New Caledonia 50.35 23.98 17.35 5.62 -67.60 0.00

6) Marshall Island 0.41 8.71 8.65 0.10 -98.80 0.00

7) Aruba 0.30 4.27 4.16 0.29 -93.06 0.00

8) Monaco 1.53 1.11 0.86 0.87 1.79 0.00

9) Us Minor Outlying Islands 0.36 0.56 0.42 0.68 63.12 0.00

10) Antarctica 1.11 0.50 0.50 0.01 -97.46 0.00

11) Panama C Z 0.45

12) San Marino 0.52 0.39 0.23 0.20 -15.55 0.00

13) South Sudan 0.18 0.12 27.04 22989.92 0.01

14) America Samoa 1.13 0.14 0.08 0.27 246.18 0.00

15) Guernsey 0.11 0.00 0.23 0.00 0.00

16) Greenland 0.10 0.10 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

17) Andorra 0.00 0.09 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00

18) Montenegro 0.05 0.05 0.00 0.01 2375.00 0.00

19) N. Mariana Is. 0.23 0.03 0.03 0.01 -72.01 0.00

20) Vatican City 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

21) Christmas Is. 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.05 184.66 0.00

22) Fr Polynesia 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.02 293.02 0.00

23) Norfolk Is 0.07 0.01 0.01 0.15 1985.71 0.00

24) Tokelau Is 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.05 416.98 0.00

25) Faroe Is. 0.04 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

26) Palau 3.70 0.00 0.00 0.75 0.00 0.00

27) Pitcairn Is. 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.22 7932.14 0.00

28) Anguilla 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

29) Heard Macdonald 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

30) Guam

31) Cook Is 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

32) Fr S Ant Tr 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

33) Gibraltar 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

34) Niue Is 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

35) St Pierre 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

36) Wallis F Is 0.24 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Total 381006.63 384355.56 209834.98 257800.39 22.86 100



FOREIGN TRADE POLICYAND EXIM TRADE


The Five-year Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 released

on 01.04.2015 provides a framework for increasing exports

of goods and services. With the release of the Foreign

Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20, FTP statement, Handbook of

procedures) Appendix and Aayat-Niryat forms were also released on

01.04.2015. Handbook of procedures notifies the procedure to be

followed by an exporter or importer or by the licensing/Regional Au-

thority or by any authority for purpose of implementing the provi-

sions of Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, Rules and

Orders issued under the provisions of Foreign Trade Policy. The pro-

cedure contains the following documents:-

(a) Hand Book of Procedures.

(b) Appendices & Aayat Niryat Forms and

(c) Standard Input Output Norms (SION)

The FTP for 2015-2020 seeks to provide a stable and sustainable

policy environment for foreign trade in merchandise and services;

link rules, procedures and incentives for exports and imports with

other initiatives such as “Make in India”, “Digital India”, “Skills

India” and “ease of doing business” to promote the diversification

of India’s export basket by helping various sectors of the Indian

economy to gain global competitiveness. The Foreign Trade Policy

through its various schemes serves the objective of neutralization

of duty incidence, encourage technological up gradation and pro-

vides promotional measures to boost India’s exports with the objec-

tive to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and associated costs

involved in order to provide exporters a level playing field.

The FTP has been suitably modified to incorporate the relevant

GST provisions.

II. Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20

Foreign Trade Policy Statement

The Foreign Trade Policy Statement explains the vision,

goals and objectives underpinning the Foreign Trade Policy for

the period 2015-2020. It describes the market and product strat-

egy envisaged and the measures required not just for export pro-

motion but also for the enhancement of the entire trade

ecosystem.

It is the first comprehensive statement on the government pri-

orities in the Foreign Trade Sector. For improving foreign trade

performance, it is necessary to develop a broader frame work that

provided the scope for coordinating with a number of administrative

ministries. Through the FTP statement the overall thinking on ex-

ternal sector have been articulated, first its spells out the government

strategy for addressing some of the structural and institutional in-

stitutes which are the relevance for improving the performance of

Foreign Trade Sector. Secondly, it states the ways in which the gov-

ernment would make trade and economic integration agreement with

trade partners and would work better for Indian enterprises. Foreign

Trade Policy has taken ‘whole of government’s approach’. Through

FTP the government has taken a major ‘path breaking’ initiative that

the department has taken to main stream States, Union Territories

and various departments of government of India in the process of

international trade.

Mid Term Review of Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020Mid-term Review of Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 was released by Hon’ble CIM Shri Suresh Prabhu

on 5th December 2017 in New Delhi. The highlights and subsequent trade related policies are as follows:

� MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme) incentives for two sub-sectors of Textiles i.e. Ready Made Garments and Made Ups

increased from 2% to 4% involving additional annual incentives of Rs. 2,743 crore.

� Across the board increase of 2% in existing MEIS incentive for exports by MSMEs /labour intensive industries amounting to Rs. 4,576 crore.

� To provide an impetus to the services trade, the SEIS (Service Export from India Scheme) incentives have been increased by 2% for notified services such

as Business, Legal, Accounting, Architectural, Engineering, Educational, Hospital, Hotels and Restaurants amounting to Rs. 1,140 crore.

� The validity period of the Duty Credit Scrips has been increased from 18 months to 24 months to enhance their utility in the GST

framework. GST rate for transfer/sale of scrips has been reduced to zero from the earlier rate of 12%.

� New trust based Self Ratification Scheme introduced to allow duty free inputs for export production under duty exemption scheme

with a self-declaration. Under this scheme, instead of getting a ratification of the Norms Committee for inputs to be used in the man-

ufacture of export products, exporters will self-certify the requirement of duty free raw materials/ inputs and take an authorization

from DGFT. The scheme would initially be available to the Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs).

� Contact@DGFT service for Complaint Resolution has been activated on the DGFT website (www.dgft.gov.in) as a single window contact

point for exporters and importers for resolving all foreign trade related issues.

� To focus on improving Ease of Trading across Borders for exporters and importers, a professional team envisaged to handhold, assist

and support exporters with their export related problems, accessing export markets and meeting regulatory requirements.

� New Logistics Division created in the Commerce Department to develop and coordinate implementation of an Action Plan for the in-

tegrated development of the logistics sector, by way of policy changes, improvement in existing procedures, identification of bottlenecks

and gaps and introduction of technology in this sector.

� For clarity, a negative list of capital goods which are not permitted under the EPCG (Export Promotion on Capital Goods) scheme has been notified.

� The concept of Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) sale from Export Oriented Units (EoUs) on concessional and full duty has been removed and hence, the limit

on entitlement of DTA sale has also been removed. Consequently, restriction on DTA sale of motor cars, alcoholic liquors, books and tea has been removed.

� Second Hand Goods imported for the purpose of repair/ refurbishing/re-conditioning or re-engineering have been made free, thereby

facilitating generation of employment in the repair services sector.

� Issue of working capital blockage of the exporters due to upfront payment of GST on inputs has been addressed. Under advance au-

thorization Export Promotion for Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme, 100% EoU’s, exporters have been extended the benefit of sourcing

inputs/capital goods from abroad as well as domestic suppliers for exports without upfront payment of GST. Further an e wallet will

be launched from 1st April 2018 to make these schemes operational from 1st April, 2018.

� The Union Cabinet Committee on 15th December 2017, approved the special package for employment generation in leather and footwear

sector. The package involves implementation of Central Sector Scheme "Indian Footwear, Leather & Accessories Development Pro-

gramme" with an approved expenditure of Rs. 2,600 crore over the three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20. The scheme would lead to de-

velopment of infrastructure for the leather sector, address environment concerns specific to the leather sector, facilitate additional

investments, employment generation and increase in production. The Special Package has the potential to generate 3.24 lakhs new jobs in

3 years and assist in formalization of 2 lakh jobs as cumulative impact in Footwear, Leather & Accessories Sector.


The FTP introduces two new schemes, namely “Merchandise

Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)” for export of specified goods

to specified markets and “Service Exports from India Scheme

(SEIS)” for increasing exports of notified services.

Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)

MEIS was introduced on 1st April 2015 under FTP 2015-20 with

an objective to promote export of notified goods manufactured / pro-

duced in India. At the time of introduction MEIS covered 4914 tariff

lines at 8 digits. Keeping in mind the global economic downturn and the

adverse environment faced by exporters, it was expanded to include ad-

ditional lines and currently it covers 8013 lines, all with global coverage.

In the FY 2017-18, the tariff lines under MEIS schedule were

aligned with the ITC HS 2017 which came into effect from 1st Jan-

uary, 2017. The initial envisaged annual revenue foregone of Rs.

18,000 crore now stands at Rs. 23,500 crore. MEIS incentives are

available at 2, 3 and 5 per cent of the realized FOB value of exports.

The incentives are issued as duty scrips that can be used for payment

of basic customs duty under the GST regime and are freely trans-

ferable. The validity of the scrips under MEIS, which was 18

months, has been increased to 24 months in order to enhance the

utility of the scrips.

Major product groups covered under MEIS:-

Agricultural products, Fruits, Flowers, vegetables, Tea Coffee,

Spices, Value added and packaged products, Handicraft, Handloom,

Jute products, Textile and garments, Pharmaceuticals, Surgical,

Herbals, Project Goods, Auto Components, Telecom, Computer,

Electrical and Electronics Products, Railway, Transport Equipment,

industrial machinery, IC engines, machine tools, parts, hand tools,

pumps of all types, automobiles, two wheelers, bicycles, ships,

planes, chemicals, plastics, rubber, ceramic and glass, leather gar-

ments, saddlery items, footwear, steel furniture, prefabs, lighters

wood, paper, stationary, iron, steel, and base metals products.

Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)

Services Exports from India Scheme is an incentive scheme for

eligible service exports and it was introduced in the Foreign Trade

Policy (2015-20) replacing the Served from India Scheme (SFIS).

SEIS offers reward @ 3 per cent or 5 per cent of net foreign ex-

change earned. Only Mode 1 and Mode 2 services are eligible. This

scheme covers ‘Service Providers located in India’ instead of ‘Indian

Service Providers’, which was the case in the earlier policy. Under

the new scheme, the incentive scrips issued are transferable. The va-

lidity of the scrips under SEIS, which was 18 months, has been in-

creased to 24 months in order to enhance the utility of the scrips.

Some important Services covered under SEIS are as follows:

� Legal, Accounting, Architectural, Engineering, Educational,

Hospital services at 5%

� Hotels and restaurants, Travel agencies and tour operators,

other business services at 3%.

The following table shows the details of issuance of scrips under

MEIS and SEIS along with value of scrips and FOB value of ex-

ports during 2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017:

Export Promotion Schemes 2016-17 Apr-Sept 2017

Merchandise Exports from IndiaScheme (MEIS)

Service Exportsfrom India Scheme (SEIS)

Number of Scrips 159446 90333

Value of Scrips (Rs. Crore) 18116.80 10581.53

FOB value of Exports (Rs. Crore) 688473.22 420296.97




III. Other Export Promotion Schemes under earlier Foreign Trade Policies

Scrips are also issued under various schemes viz. (i) Focus Product Scheme (FPS), (ii) Focus Market Scheme (FMS), (iii) Vishesh Krishi and

Gram Udyog Yojna (VKGUY), (iv) Incremental Export Incentive Scheme, (v) Served From India Scheme and (vi) Status Holder Incentive Scrip

(SHIS). The details of issuance of scrips under various export promotion schemes along with value of scrips and FOB value of exports during

2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017 is given in the following table:

Export Promotion Schemes 2016-17 Apr-Sept 2017

Focus MarketScheme (FMS)

Focus ProductScheme (FPS)

Vishesh Krishi & GramUdyog Yojna (VKGUY)

Served From IndiaScheme (SFIS)

Status Holder IncentiveScrip (SHIS)

Incremental Export Incentivisation Scheme (IEIS)

















Figure 1 depicts the number of scrips issued under various export promotion schemes during 2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017.

Figure 2 depicts the value of scrips issued under various export promotion schemes during 2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017

Figure 1: Issuance of Scrips under Various Export Promotion Schemes

Figure 3 depicts the FOB value of export under various export promotion schemes during 2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017

Figure 3: FOB Value of Exports under various Export Promotion Schemes

Figure 2: Value of Scrips under Various Export Promotion Schemes


IV. DUTY REMISSION SCHEMES

Duty neutralization / remission schemes are based on the prin-

ciple and the commitment of the Government that “Goods and

Services are to be exported and not the Taxes and Levies”. Purpose

is to allow duty free import / procurement of inputs or to allow re-

plenishment either for the inputs used or the duty component on

inputs used. Brief of these schemes are given below.

Advance Authorization Scheme

Advance Authorization Scheme allows duty free import of in-

puts, along with fuel, oil, and catalyst etc., required for manufactur-

ing the export product. Inputs are allowed either as per Standard

Input Output Norms (SION) or on adhoc Norms basis under Ac-

tual User condition. Norms are fixed by Technical Committee i.e.,

Norms Committee. This facility is available for physical exports (also

including supplies to SEZ units & SEZ Developers) and deemed ex-

ports including intermediate supplies. Minimum value addition pre-

scribed is 15% except for certain items. Exporter has to fulfill the

export obligation over a specified time period, both quantity and

value wise. The facilities to club authorizations were simplified and

powers decentralized to RAs. Certain items which are prohibited

for export have been allowed for export under advance authorization

scheme, subject to stipulated conditions.

In FTP 2015-2020, (i) a longer export obligation (EO) period

of 24 months has been provided for export items falling in the cat-

egory of defence, military store, aerospace and nuclear energy in-

stead of the normal 18 months under the advance authorization

scheme. A list of military stores requiring NOC of Department of

Defence Production has been separately notified. (ii) Imports against

Advance Authorisation shall also be eligible for exemption from

Transitional product Specific Safeguard Duty. One time relaxation

is provided for Clubbing of advance Authorisations issued during

foreign trade policy 2002-07 and foreign trade policy 2004-09. One

time relaxation is provided for extension of export obligation period

of Advance authorizations issued under Foreign Trade Policy 2002-

07, Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009 and Advance Authorisations is-

sued prior to 5.6.2012 under foreign trade Policy 2009-14. Request

for extension of Export obligation period shall be filed in respective

RAs, on or before 31.3.2018.

Duty Free Import Authorization (DFIA)

Under DFIA Scheme operational from 01.05.2006, Duty Free Im-

port Authorization shall be issued on post export basis for products

for which Standard Input Output Norms (SION) have been notified,

once export is completed. One of the objectives of the scheme is to

facilitate transfer of the authorization or the inputs imported as per

SION, once export is completed. Provisions of DFIA Scheme are

similar to Advance Authorization scheme. A minimum value addition

of 20% is required under the scheme. For items where higher value

addition has been prescribed under Advance Authorization in Appen-

dix, the same value addition shall be applicable for DFIA also. Pre-

export DFIA has been discontinued in FTP 2015-2020.

Schemes for Gems & Jewellery Sector

Gems & Jewellery exports constitute a major portion of our

total merchandise exports. It is an employment oriented sector. Ex-

ports from this sector suffered significantly on account of the global

economic slowdown.

Duty free import / procurement of precious metal (Gold / Sil-

ver / Platinum) from the nominated agencies is allowed either in ad-

vance or as replenishment. Duty Free Import Authorization Scheme

shall not be available for Gems and Jewellery Sector. The Schemes

for Gems and Jewellery Sector are as follows:

� Advance Procurement/replenishment of Precious Metals

from Nominated Agencies

� Replenishment Authorization for Gems

� Replenishment Authorization for Consumables

� Advance Authorization for Precious Metals

Issuance of Authorization under Duty Remission Schemes

Authorizations are issued under the various schemes, viz., Ad-

vance Authorization, Duty Free Import Authorization (DFIA) and

Replenishment License (Gems & Jewellery). Details of number of

authorizations issued, CIF value of imports and FOB value of ex-

ports under various schemes during 2016-17 and April-Sept 2017

are given in the following table:

Duty Remission Schemes 2016-17 Apr-Sept 2017

Advance Authorization

Duty Free ImportAuthorization(DFIA)

Replenishment License (Gem & Jewellery)

Number of Authorizations 22853 10487

CIF Value of Imports (Rs.Crore) 200709.69 90426.36

FOB Value of Exports (Rs.Crore) 312159.59 143921.18







Figure 4 depicts the number of authorisations issued under various export promotion schemes during 2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017.

Figure 4: Number of Authorisations under Duty Remission Schemes


Figure 7 depicts the percentage share of various schemes in is-

suance of total number of scrips during Apr-Sept 2017. It shows that

the highest share of 91.46% scrips was issued under MEIS during Apr-

Sept 2017.

Figure 7: Percentage share of various schemes in total number of scrips issued

during Apr-Sept 2017

Figure 5: CIF Value of Import (Rs. Crore) Figure 6: FOB Value of Export (Rs. Crore)

Figure 5 depicts the CIF value of import under various export

promotion schemes during 2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017.

V. Export Promotion of Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme

The objective of the EPCG Scheme is to facilitate import of

capital goods for producing quality goods and services to enhance

India’s export competitiveness. The EPCG Scheme allows import

of capital goods at Zero customs duty subject to an export obliga-

tion equivalent to 6 times of duties, taxes and cess saved on capital

goods, to be fulfilled in 6 years reckoned from date of issue of Au-

thorisation. Details of EPCG scheme are as follows:

(a) EPCG Scheme allows import of capital goods for pre-produc-

tion, production and post-production at Zero customs duty. Capital

goods imported under EPCG scheme for physical exports are also ex-

empt from whole of the Integrated Tax and Compensation cess levi-

able thereon under the subsection (7) and subsection (9) respectively,

of section 3 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51of 1975), as may be

provided in the notification issued under Department of Revenue. Al-

ternatively, the authorisation holder may also procure Capital Goods

from indigenous sources in accordance with provisions of paragraph

5.07 of FTP. Capital goods for the purpose of the EPCG scheme shall

include:

i) Capital Goods as defined in Chapter 9 including in CK-

DISKD condition thereof;

ii) Computer software systems;

iii) Spares, moulds, dies, jigs, fixtures, tools & refractories for

Figure 6 depicts the FOB value of export under various export

promotion schemes during 2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017.

initial lining and spare refractories; and

iv) Catalysts for initial charge plus one subsequent charge.

b) Import of capital goods for Project Imports notified by Central

Board of Excise and Customs is also permitted under EPCG

Scheme.

c) Authorisation is valid for import for 18 months from the date of

issue of Authorisation. Revalidation of EPCG Authorisation shall

not be permitted.

d) Second hand capital goods are not permitted to be imported

under EPCG Scheme.

e) Authorisation under EPCG Scheme is not issued for import of

any Capital Goods for generation / transmission of power (in-

cluding Captive plants and Power Generator Sets of any kind) for

i) Export of electrical energy (power)

ii) Supply of electrical energy (power) under deemed exports

iii) Supply/Use of power (energy) in their own unit, and

iv) Supply/export of electricity transmission services

f) The scheme also requires maintenance of average level of exports

achieved by the exporter in the preceding three licensing years for

the same and similar products within the overall export obligation

period including extended period, except for certain specified sec-

tors/ products as listed under para 5.13 of Handbook of Proce-

dures.

g) The scope of the EPCG scheme is also extended to a service

provider who is designated / certified as a Common Service

Provider (CSP) by the DGFT, Department of Commerce or State

Industrial Infrastructural Corporation in a Town of Export Ex-

cellence subject to provisions of Foreign Trade Policy/Handbook

of Procedures with the following conditions:-

i) Export by users of the common service, to be

counted towards fulfilment of EO of the CSP shall con-

tain the EPCG authorisation details of the CSP in the re-

spective Shipping bills and concerned RA must be

informed about the details of the Users prior to such ex-

port;

ii) Such export will not count towards fulfilment of specific

export obligations in respect of other EPCG authorisa-

tions (of the CSP/User); and

iii) Authorisation holder shall be required to submit Bank

Guarantee (BG) which shall be equivalent to the duty

saved. BG can be given by CSP or by any one of the users


or a combination thereof, at the option of the CSP.

iv) Guidelines for designating/certifying a Common Service

Provider (CSP) by DGFT, Department of commerce or

State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation in a town of

Export Excellence under Para 5.02 (b) FTP 2015-2020.

h) A person holding an EPCG authorisation may source capital

goods from a domestic manufacturer. Such domestic man-

ufacturer shall be eligible for deemed export benefit under

paragraph 7.03 of FTP and as may be provided under GST

Rules under the category of Deemed Exports. Such domes-

tic sourcing shall also be permitted from EOUs and these

supplies shall be counted for purpose of fulfillment of positive

NFE by said EOU as provided in Para 6.09 (a) of FTP.

i) Authorization holder shall produce, within six months

from date of completion of import, to the concerned RA,

a certificate from the jurisdictional Central Excise Author-

ity or an independent Chartered Engineer, at the option

of the authorisation holder, confirming installation of

capital goods at factory/premises of authorization holder

or his supporting manufacturer(s). The RA may extend

the said period for producing the certificate by a maxi-

mum period of another 12 months. Where a unit regis-

tered with Central Excise opts for independent Chartered

Engineer’s certificate, the authorisation holder shall send

a copy of the certificate to the jurisdictional Central Ex-

cise Authority as intimation/record.

j) In the case of import of spares, the installation certificate shall be

submitted by the Authorization holder within a period of three

years from the date of import.

k) EPCG Authorisation is issued with a single port of registration

as per paragraph 4.37 of HBP, for imports. However, exports can

be made from any port specified in paragraph 4.37 of HBP.

l) Specific EO in respect of export of Green Technology Products is

75% of the normal EO as mentioned in the Para 5.10 of FTP.

The list of Green Technology products is given in Para 5.29 of

HBP 2015-20.

m) For units located in J&K, North Eastern Region including Sikkim,

specific EO shall be 25% of the EO as stipulated in Para 5.01 of

FTP.

n) Export Obligation (EO) conditions under EPCG Scheme:

i) EO is to be fulfilled by export of goods manufactured/

service(s) rendered by applicant.

ii) Exports shall be physical exports. Certain deemed exports

are also counted towards fulfillment of EO.

iii) The export obligation under the Scheme shall be over and

above, the average level of exports achieved by the EPCG

authorization holder in the preceding three licensing years

for the same and similar products within the overall ex-

port obligation period including extended period, other

than the categories exempted for this purpose.

iv) There is no requirement of maintaining average EO for

certain sectors like handicraft, handlooms, cottage, tiny

sector, agriculture, aqua-culture (including fisheries), ani-

mal husbandry, floriculture, horticulture, pisciculture, viti-

culture, poultry, sericulture, Carpets, coir and Jute.

v) Extension in EO period may be granted for a period of 2

years subject to certain conditions specified in Para 5.17

of HBP.

o) Import of Capital Goods is subject to Actual User Condition till

EO is completed.

Post Export EPCG Duty Credit Scrip(s):

Post export EPCG Duty Credit Scrip(s) is available to ex-

porters who intend to import capital goods on full payment of ap-

plicable duties and choose to opt for this scheme. Basic Customs

duty paid on capital goods is remitted in the form of freely trans-

ferable duty credit scrip(s), similar to those issued under Chapter

3 of FTP. Specific EO is 85% of the applicable specific EO under

the EPCG Scheme. However, average EO shall remain unchanged.

Duty remission is in proportion to the EO fulfilled. All provisions

for utilization of scrips issued under Chapter 3 of FTP are appli-

cable to Post Export EPCG Duty Credit Scrip(s). All provisions

of the existing EPCG scheme shall apply insofar as they are not

inconsistent with this scheme.

Details of EPCG authorizations are given in the table as follows:

Issuance under Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme

EPCG Scheme 2016-17 Apr-Sept 2017

Number of Authorizations 23,101 8,363

Duty saved Amount 13,470.53 5,283.81(Rs. Crore)

FOB value of Export 84,118.01 32,353.44(Rs. Crore)

Figure 8: Issuance of Authorisation under Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme

Figure 8 depicts the number of authorizations issued under various export promotion schemes along with duty saved amount and FOB

value of export during 2016-17 and Apr-Sept 2017.


VI. Interest Equalization Scheme on Pre & Post Shipment

Rupee Export Credit

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the

Interest Equalization Scheme on 18.11.2015 for 5 years w.e.f.

01.04.2015. Operational guidelines of the scheme were issued by

RBI vide Circular No.62 dated 04.12.2015. The main features of

the scheme are as follows:

a) The rate of interest equalization @ 3% per annum will be avail-

able on Pre Shipment Rupee Export Credit and Post Shipment

Rupee Export Credit.

b) The scheme would be applicable w.e.f 01.04.2015 for 5 years.

Government, however, reserves the right to modify/amend the

Scheme at any time.

c) The scheme will be available to all exports under 416 specified tariff

lines [at ITC (HS) code of 4 digit] and to all exports made by Micro,

Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across all ITC (HS) codes.

d) Scheme would not be available to merchant exporters.

e) Banks are required to completely pass on the benefit of interest

equalisation, as applicable, to the eligible exporters upfront and

submit the claims to RBI for reimbursement, duly certified by

the external auditor.

f) All eligible exports under the scheme would have to meet the

criteria of minimum processing for the goods to be called as

Originating from India and would be governed by provision of

Paragraph 2.108 (a) (Rules of Origin [Non preferential]) of

Handbook of Procedures of Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020.

In the Financial Years 2015-16 and 2016-17 funds to the tune

of Rs.1100 crore and 1000 crore respectively had been provisioned

in Budget Estimate. In the current Financial Year 2017-18, Rs. 1100

crore has been granted under BE out of which full amount has been

released to RBI as on October 2017 against the claims of Scheduled

Commercial Banks upto February, 2017 (part) and Urban Co-oper-

ative Banks upto May, 2017.

VII. Special Advance Authorization Scheme for export of arti-

cles for apparel and clothing accessories

A new scheme for import of fabrics and eligibility to claim All

Industry Rate of Duty Drawback was introduced w.e.f 1st Septem-

ber 2016. This new scheme called Special Advance Authorization

Scheme for export of Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories.

Exporters are entitled for an authorization for fabrics including inter

lining on pre-import basis, and All Industry Rate of Duty Drawback

for non-fabric inputs on the exports.

This scheme is allowed for export of items which are covered

under Chapter 61 and 62 of ITC(HS) Classification of Export and

Import, subject to the following terms and conditions:

a) The authorization shall be issued based on Standard Input output

Norms (SION) or prior fixation of norms by Norms Committee.

b) The authorization shall be issued for the import of relevant fab-

rics including inter lining only as input. No other input, packing

material, fuel, oil and catalyst shall be allowed for import under

this authorization.

c) Exporters shall be eligible for All Industry Rate of Duty Draw-

back, for non fabric inputs, as determined by Central Govern-

ment for this scheme. For the purpose of value addition norm

of para 4.08 of FTP, the value of any other input used on which

benefit of Drawback is claimed or intended to be claimed shall

be equal to 22% of the FOB value of export realized. Minimum

value addition shall be as per para 4.09 of FTP.

d) Where the exporter desires to claim drawback determined and

fixed by Central Excise Authority (brand rate), he shall follow

para 4.15 of FTP regarding declarations to be made in applica-

tion for the authorisation and make export under claim for brand

rate. In such cases the value addition shall be as per para 4.08 of

FTP. Minimum value addition shall be as per para 4.09 of FTP.

e) Authorisation, and the fabric imported, shall be subject actual

user condition. The same shall be non transferable even after

completion of export obligation. However fabric imported may

be transferred for job work as permitted by Central Excise (ex-

cluding to units located in areas eligible for area based exemption

from Central Excise Duty). Invalidation of the authorisation

shall not be permitted.

f) The fabric imported shall be subject to pre-import condition and

it shall be physically incorporated in the export product (making

normal allowance for wastage). Only Physical exports shall fulfill

the export obligate.

VIII. Alignment of Foreign Trade Policy with the GST Rules

Policy Provisions and Procedures under Chapter 4 of Foreign Trade

Policy 2015-20 has been aligned in line of GST Rules. Holders of AA/

EPCG and EOUs would not have to pay IGST, Cess etc. on imports.

Also, domestic supplies to holders of AA/ EPCG and EOUs would be

treated as deemed exports under Section 147 of CGST/ SGST Act and

refund of tax paid on such supplies given to the supplier.

IX. Status Holders Recognition:

All exporters of goods, services and technology having an im-

porter-exporter code (IEC) number are eligible for recognition as a

Status Holder, which depends upon export performance in the cur-

rent year plus last three years (except for Gems and Jewellery Sector.

The current threshold to cross for getting One Star Export House

status is USD 3 Million in current plus last three years. The Foreign

Trade Policy 2015-20 provides for certain privileges and preferential

treatment and priority in handling of consignments of Status holders

by the concerned agencies. Also, a shortened time line of one day for

4 and 5 star status holders and 2 days for 1, 2 and 3 star status holders

has been stipulated for regional authorities to issue advance authori-

zations to status holders and for its subsequent amendments, if any.

Manufacturers who are also Status Holders have been enabled

to self-certify their manufactured goods as originating from India

with a view to qualify for preferential treatment under different Pref-

erential Trading Agreements [PTAs], Free Trade Agreements

[FTAs], Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements

[CECAs] and Comprehensive Economic Partnerships Agreements

[CEPAs], which are in operation. There are more than 6,500 IEC

Holders who have been given a Status Holder Certificate, One Star

and above under the FTP 2015-20.

X. Export Oriented Units (EOUs), Electronics Hardware

Technology Parks (EHTPs), Software Technology Parks

(STPs) and Bio-Technology Parks (BTPs):

Units undertaking to export their entire production of goods

and services (except permissible sales in DTA), may be set up

under the Export Oriented Unit (EOU) Scheme, Electronics Hard-

ware Technology Parks (EHTP) Scheme, Software Technology

Parks (STP) Scheme or Bio-Technology Parks (BTP) for manu-

facturing of goods, including repair, remaking, reconditioning, re-

engineering and rendering of services, development of software,

agriculture including agro-processing, aquaculture, animal hus-

bandry, bio-technology, floriculture, horticulture, pisciculture, viti-

culture, poultry and sericulture. Trading units are not covered

under these schemes.

An EOU/EHT/STP BTP unit may export all kinds of goods


and services except items that are prohibited in ITC (HS) and may

import/or procure, from bonded warehouses in DTA/international

exhibition held in India, without payment of Customs duty/addi-

tional duty of Customs/Integrated Tax and GST compensation cess,

all types of goods, including capital goods, required for its activities,

provided they are not prohibited items of import in the ITC (HS).

The units are also allowed to procure GST goods or excisable goods,

from DTA, on payment of GST taxes as applicable or without pay-

ment of excise duty as the case may be. All these units shall be a

positive net foreign exchange earner except for sector specific pro-

vision of Appendix-6B of HBP Volume I, where a higher value ad-

dition shall be required.

XI. Deemed Exports

“Deemed Exports” refer to those transactions in which goods

supplied do not leave country, and payment for such supplies is re-

ceived either in Indian Rupees or in free foreign exchange. Deemed

Export Scheme is for encouraging import substitution and mainly

covers such supply of goods which are otherwise allowed at zero

custom duty. For deemed exports supplies, benefit of advance au-

thorization, duty drawback of Customs duty paid on inputs and re-

fund of terminal excise duty paid on final goods/exemption, as

applicable as per Foreign Trade Policy, are available.

XII. Niryat Bandhu Scheme

The Government of India had conceptualized the Niryat

Bandhu Scheme ,as part of its Foreign Policy (FTP) on 13th Octo-

ber, 2011 which was incorporated in the FTP 2009-2014 as a novel

scheme for mentoring the first generation entrepreneurs. The ob-

jective of the Scheme is to reach out to the new and potential ex-

porters and mentor (hand holding) them through orientation

programs, counseling sessions and individual facilitation so that they

may get into international trade and boost exports from India

through timely and appropriate guidance of DGFT officers.

The outreach awareness programs are conducted under the

Scheme through the 36 Regional Authorities(field offices) of DGFT,

spread all over the country, which directly comes into interaction

with the new and prospective exporters while issuing of Importer

Exporter Code (IEC), authorizations, incentives, scrips, etc.

Considering the significance of MSMEs in manufacturing sector

and employment generation, the outreach programs specifically focus

on the exporters from MSME Clusters, with the objective of adding

new exporters from that sector and boosting the export of the spe-

cific product. DGFT identifies MSME Clusters for its outreach pro-

grams to be implemented all over the country. These clusters are

mostly in the small cities with the objective to train potential entre-

preneurs and exporters from these cities. DGFT has identified “In-

dustrial Partners”, such as Export Promotion Councils, to provide

resource inputs for the export of the product, and “Knowledge Part-

ners”, such as academia, customs, banks, etc., who would provide re-

source inputs on procedural aspects for export of that product.

The allocation & expenditure and beneficiary so far, are as

follows:

S. No. Year Allocation Expenditure Beneficiaries

(in lakhs) (in lakhs)

1. 2013-14 2.00 0.12 1277

2. 2014-15 100.00 81.07 18283

3. 2015-16 250.00 245.78 28000

4. 2016-17 100 .00 98.44 15849

Total 452.00 Rs. 435.41 63409

In the last few years 63409 (approx.) new & prospection ex-

porters have attended Niryat Bandhu outreach programs conducted

by the Regional Officers all over India and Online Courses by IIFT.

Allocation of funds for 2017-18 was only 100 lakhs and the pro-

grammes conducted/ beneficiaries so far are as follows:-

i) So far 1366 persons have participated in programmes conducted

by under C1 (New IEC holders), C2 ( Town of excellence/In-

dustrial clusters) C3 (Seminars at Business Schools/Universi-

ties).

ii) Online training programmes are being conducted by the Indian

Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. In 2017-18, 11 programs

have been sanctioned and 5 have been held so far. There were

192 participants (162 male + 30 female).

iii) It may be mentioned here that Online certificate program in ex-

port-import business commenced in September 2015. So far 6

programs were held in 2015-16, beneficiaries were 303 out of

which 35 were women. In 2016-17, 9 programs were held and

beneficiaries were 353 out of which 76 were females.

iv) As regards continuation of Niryat Bandhu Scheme beyond

2017-18 to 21-22-Proposal has been accepted for Rs. 12.37

crores.

XIII. Board of Trade (BOT)

The Board of Trade (BOT) has been reconstituted vide Trade

Notice No. 21 dated 23.03.2016. The objective of BOT is to have

continuous discussion and consultation with trade and industry. The

Board of Trade would, inter-alia, advise the Government on policy

measures related to Foreign Trade Policy in order to achieve the ob-

jective of boosting India’s trade.

First meeting of the reconstituted Board of Trade was held on

06.04.2016. 13 Ministries / Departments and 34 Trade bodies/ or-

ganizations took part. Action initiated on the recommendations. Sec-

ond meeting took place on June 19, 2017 to take member’s

suggestions on the Mid-term Review of the Foreign Trade Policy

2015-20.

XIV. Matter related to Exports

Export Authorization

The Export Cell deals with Export Policy of various items under

Schedule 2 of ITC(HS) Classification for Export and Import, cat-

egorised as ‘free’ / ‘restricted’ or ‘prohibited’. The Export Policy of

items are reviewed in consultation with the concerned subject com-

modity Division of the Department of Commerce & Ministry / De-

partment concerned and notified time to time. Accordingly, Export

Cell provides clarifications / interpretations on Export Policy of

items whenever sought by individuals / firms / companies or Min-

istry / Department / Organisation concerned. Export of items cat-

egorised as ‘Restricted’ in Schedule 2 of ITC(HS) Classification for

Export, is subject to license.

The applications for issuance of export authorization for 'Re-

stricted' items (other than SCOMET items). e.g. as Onion seeds, live

animals, seaweeds, non-Basmati Rice Paddy (Husk) other than seed

quality, fodder material, fertilizers (NPK, SSP, urea etc.), chemicals

under Montreal Protocol and export of value added products of

wood etc., are processed in Export Cell and considered by an EXIM

Facilitation Committee (EFC) chaired by Addl. DGFT in-charge of

export and comprising representatives of various Ministries and De-

partments. EFC generally meets once in a month and based on

NOC/comments of subject commodity Division of the DOC and

Administrative Ministry/ Department concerned, cases are decided

and permissions issued to concerned Regional Authorities of DGFT

for issue of export authorisation/ license. Out of the total 220 ap-


plications (including 27 cases brought forward from 2016-17) re-

ceived for export permission during 2017-18 (upto 30th September

2017), 170 applications (which constitute approx. 77% of the total

applications received) have been granted export permission, 10 cases

were rejected, 05 cases were dropped from agenda due to non-re-

ceipt of clarification/ supporting documents from the applicants

and remaining 35 applications are pending with the concerned Min-

istry/Department for want of their inputs/NOC. During the year

2016-17 (upto 31.03.2017), 350 applications for export permission

were received, out of which, 294 applications (which constitute ap-

prox. 84% of the total applications received) were approved and

granted export permission, 29 cases rejected/dropped (10%) and re-

maining 27 cases deferred for the subsequent year for want of in-

puts/NOC from the concerned Ministry/Department.

SCOMET

“Special Chemicals, Organism, Materials, Equipment and Tech-

nologies (SCOMET)” items are dual-use items having potential for

both civilian and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) applica-

tions. Export of such items is either restricted, requiring an autho-

risation for their export, or is prohibited. The export policy relating

to SCOMET items is given in Paragraph 2.73 of Hand Book of Pro-

cedures of FTP 2015-20 and the list of such items is given in Ap-

pendix 3 to Schedule 2 of ITC (HS) Classification of Export and

Import Items. There are eight categories of such items.

All applications for export of SCOMET items as well as appli-

cations for onsite verification are considered on merits by an Inter-

Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) in the DGFT under the

Chairmanship of Additional Director General of Foreign Trade as

per guidelines and criteria laid down in Para 2.74 of the Hand Book

of Procedures. Members include, inter-alia, MEA, Cabinet Secre-

tariat, NACWC, DRDO, ISRO, DAE, Department of Chemicals &

Petro-Chemicals and Department of Bio-technology.

No export permission is required for supply of SCOMET items

from DTA to SEZ. However, export permission is required if the

SCOMET items are to be physically exported outside the country

from SEZ. The SCOMET list was harmonised with the lists of Nu-

clear Suppliers Group (NSG) and Missile Technology Control

Regime (MTCR) leading to India joining the MTCR in June 2016.

The Export Control List has further been harmonised with the con-

trol lists of the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australia

Group (AG) and notified vide DGFT Notification No. 05/2015-20

dated 24.04.2017, which came into effect from 1st May 2017.

Through this notification the updated export control list of

SCOMET items has been replaced with the existing Appendix 3 of

Schedule 2. Further, the licensing jurisdiction for various categories

of the SCOMET list has also been clearly defined.

Out of the total 196 applications (including 18 deferred cases

brought forward from previous year) received for export permission

during 2017-18 (upto 30th September 2017), 150 applications (which

constitute approx. 76.5% of the total applications received) have

been granted export permission, 03 cases were dropped (referred to

Department of Defence Production) and remaining 43 applications

were pending with the concerned IMWG member agencies for want

of their inputs/NOC. During the year 2016-17 (upto 31.03.2017),

268 applications (including 20 deferred cases brought forward from

previous year) for export permission were received, out of which,

244 applications (which constitute approx. 91% of the total appli-

cations received) were approved and granted export permission, 06

cases rejected/dropped (2 %) and remaining 18 cases deferred for

the subsequent year for want of inputs/NOC from the IMWG

member agencies.

The total value of authorizations for export of SCOMET items

stood at US$ 54.93 million during 2016-17 and US$ 98.18 million in

2017-18 (upto September 2017).

XV. Matters related to Imports

Import Authorization

Import Cell considers the applications for import of items which

are restricted for import. The applications for issuance of import

authorization for import of such Restricted Items (such as Live An-

imals, Scrap of rubber, Refrigerant Gases and Arms and Ammuni-

tion etc.) are considered by an Exim Facilitation Committee (EFC)

consisting of representatives of various Administrative Ministries

and Departments. Such cases are decided on receipt of written tech-

nical inputs / comments of concerned Administrative Ministry /

Department. Apart from the above, it also grants permission under

para 2.20 of FTP with the approval of DGFT for the items (such

as fuel, rice, wheat, etc.) import of which are allowed through State

Trading Enterprises.

Out of total 449 applications received during 2017-18 (upto Oc-

tober, 2017), 251 cases were given import permission.

Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency (PSIA)

As per Para 2.57 of HBP 2015-20, import of any form of metal-

lic waste or scrap will be subject to the condition that it will not con-

tain hazardous, toxic waste, radioactive contaminated waste / scrap

containing radioactive material, any type of arms, ammunition,

mines, shell, live or used cartridge or any other explosive material in

any form either used or otherwise. Import of metallic waste and

scrap is permitted only if the importer furnishes to the customs at

the time of clearance of goods the Pre-shipment inspection certifi-

cate as per the format in Annexure 2H from any of the PSIAs rec-

ognized by DGFT as given in Appendix 2G to the effect that the

consignment was checked for radiation level and scrap does not con-

tain radiation level in excess of natural background.

XVI. New Initiatives in DGFT

e-Commerce Exports

Goods falling in the category of handloom products, books/pe-

riodicals, leather footwear, toys and customized fashion garments,

having FOB value up to Rs. 25,000 per consignment (finalized using

e-Commerce platform) are eligible for benefits under FTP. Such

goods can be exported in manual mode through Foreign Post Of-

fices at New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

Export of such goods under Courier Regulations shall be al-

lowed manually on pilot basis through Airports at Delhi, Mumbai

and Chennai as per appropriate amendments in regulations to be

made by Department of Revenue. Department of Revenue shall fast

track the implementation of EDI mode at courier terminals.

Trade Facilitation

Trade facilitation is a priority of the Government for cutting

down the transition cost and time and thereby rendering Indian ex-

ports more competitive. e-Trade is an initiative that set the stage for

creating an electronic single window for trade and facilitates user to

carry out all their foreign trade related, regulatory and other com-

pliances online.

The following are the major Ease of Doing Business and e-gov-

ernance initiatives:

i) Reducing number of Documents: Number of mandatory

documents required for exports and imports have been reduced

to 3 each for export and import. Earlier 7 documents were re-

quired for exports and 10 for imports. DGFT in January 2016

has also specified that any violations in this regard should be

brought to its notice.

ii) Reducing number of Schemes: The New Foreign Trade Pol-

icy (2015-20) was launched on 1st April, 2015 with a focus on


supporting both merchandise and services exports and improv-

ing the ‘Ease of Doing Business’. DGFT consolidated 5 differ-

ent incentive schemes under the earlier policy for rewarding

merchandise exports into a single scheme, namely the Merchan-

dise Exports from India Scheme. The replaced schemes are:

Focus Product Scheme (FPS), Focus Market Scheme (FMS),

Market Linked Focus Product Scrip (MLFPS), Vishesh Krishi

and Gram Udyog Yojna (VKGUY), Agri. Infrastructure Incen-

tive Scrip.

iii) PAN of firm is being issued as IEC by the DGFT wef July

1,2017. The process of making application and issuance of IEC

is online and secure. IEC has also been integrated with the eBIZ

portal of DIPP. IEC and EPCG applications have been inte-

grated with the eNivesh portal implemented by PMG set up by

the Cabinet Secretariat.

iv) Use of electronic bank realization certificate (eBRC) system has

been extended. DGFT shares data generated by the electronic

bank realization certificate (eBRC) system with 17 agencies. The

eBRC system captures details of the foreign exchange received

by exporters through the banking channel. So far DGFT has

signed MOUs with 14 state governments 2 central government

agencies and GSTN for sharing of the data. At the state level,

Commercial Tax Departments of 14 states have signed MoU

with DGFT for receiving e-BRC data for VAT refund purposes.

These are: (i) Maharashtra, (ii) Delhi, (iii) Andhra Pradesh,(iv)

Odisha, (v) Chhattisgarh, (vi) Haryana, (vii) Tamil Nadu, (viii)

Karnataka, (ix) Gujarat, (x) Uttar Pradesh, (xi) Madhya Pradesh,

(xii) Kerala, (xiii) Goa, (xiv) Bihar. In addition, Ministry of Fi-

nance, Enforcement Directorate, Agricultural & Processed Food

Products Export Development Authority and GSTN have

signed MoU.

v) The ‘Aayat Niryat’ Forms used for making online application to

DGFT, have been simplified bringing in clarity in different pro-

visions, and enhancing electronic governance.

vi) Web Portals

� DGFT has launched a new look website making it more

user-friendly and easy to navigate. DGFT website has a

large dynamic component whereby the trade community

can file applications online for IEC and various other

schemes of DGFT. The exporters can also see the status

of their electronic Bank realization certificates in almost

real-time. The website is rich in content with all docu-

ments related to Foreign Trade Policy along with a re-

sponsive online grievance redressal system.

� Indian Trade Portal launched by Department of Com-

merce and managed by FIEO displays information use-

ful for export import. It contains the Trade enquiries

uploaded by Indian trade missions, Tariff and Trade data

of India’s major trade partners, Export Market Reports,

and Trade Agreements etc.

� EXIM Dashboard launched at the commerce.gov.in web-

site. Allows users a graphical understand of India’s ex-

port and imports at the product, country and port level.

Popular with exporters on account of useful data de-

picted in uncomplicated manner.

vii)Facilities for Complaint Resolution

� Contact@DGFT system has been activated at the DGFT

website (www.dgft.gov.in) as a single point contact for

resolving all foreign trade related issues. Exporters/Im-

porters use this facility for resolution of foreign trade

related issues either directly concerning DGFT (head-

quarters or regional offices) or concerning other agen-

cies of the Central or State Governments. A reference

number is issued for each request so that the status of

action taken can be tracked. Effective monitoring

arrangements have been made.

� DGFT maintains an active Twitter handle (#DGFTIN-

DIA) with more than 27500 followers. Responses to

tweets sent to CIM’s account and DGFT handle are

managed through the Twitterseva service and more than

7500 tweets have been replied to w.e.f Apr 2016 with an

average reply time of less than 12 hours.

� Grievances on policy, procedure and implementation is-

sues registered at the Public grievances portal of Depart-

ment of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances

are handled promptly.

� Outreach & Niryat Bandhu Scheme: In the last two

years, 50,000 new and prospective exporters have at-

tended the Niryat Bandhu outreach programs through

the regional offices of DGFT. DGFT conducted out-

reach activities at 34 clusters, as part of Niryat Bandhu.

In addition, an online training programme has been

started with the IIFT for first time entrepreneurs.

(VIII). Enhanced Foreign Trade Data Dashboard-Trade

Analytics

Digitization of the government records and data analytics is cru-

cial for fast and effective evidence based planning and policy inter-

vention. This has an important role to play in effective and

transparent governance.

The Dashboard provides a visualisation of exports, imports and

balance of trade of India. The portal has five main menu on Ex-

ports, Imports, Balance of Trade, Quick Estimates and link to

DGCI&S Data, the source agency. Each of these views provide the

users with features to inspect the trade between India and a partic-

ular country, zoom into the activities of a particular port and reflect

trade pattern over any months of the user's choice for last five years.

The Dashboard provides an enabling environment to importers and

exporters to identify and access global trade opportunities based on

reliable and updated information, directly accessible to the public

through Government sources. The dashboard has the provision for

downloading the country-wise data in excel format. A look of the


Dashboard is as follows:

IX. Monitoring of Export Promotion Schemes

For effective monitoring and evaluation of the Foreign Trade Pol-

icy (FTP), a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS)

Report on Export Promotion Schemes 2017 was brought out by Sta-

tistics Division of DGFT, which was launched by Commerce Secretary

on 29th June 2017 on the occasion of Statistics Day. Based on the

MIS returns from RAs, the report containing data and analysis for last

three years is being increasingly used for informed decision making

and mid-term review of the current foreign trade policy (2015-20). In

view of its usefulness and users’ demand, the MIS report is now being

compiled on monthly basis since August 2017. Also another initiative

has been taken in bring out a Monthly Bulletin of Foreign Trade Sta-

tistics since September 2017, which provides ready reference on export

and import data of India on major commodities and major countries.

The soft form of all these reports is available in Directorate website in

Statistical Report under Trade Data and Statistics Menu.

X. Involvement of the states in export promotion

The Council for Trade Development and Promotion was con-

stituted in July 2015. It would ensure a continuous dialogue with

State Governments and UT’s on measures for providing an interna-

tional trade enabling environment in the States and create a frame-

work for making the States active partners in boosting India’s

exports. So far two meetings of the council have taken place. The

second meeting was held on 5.1.2017.

The State governments have been requested to develop their ex-

port strategy, appoint export commissioners, address infrastructure

constraints restricting movement of goods, facilitate refund of

VAT/ Octroi/State level cess, and address other issues relating to

various clearances etc. and build capacity of new exporters, in order

to promote exports. So far,17 States have prepared their exports

strategy. �


COMMERCIAL RELATION, TRADEAGREEMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL

TRADE ORGANISATION


I TRADE WITH ASIA

ASEAN Region

India announced its ‘Look East Policy’ in 1991 with a view to

seeking greater engagement with East Asian countries. In order to

address the economic content of the ‘Look East Policy’, a continu-

ous dialogue is maintained with ASEAN (Association of South East

Asian Nations) countries viz. Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, In-

donesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thai-

land and Vietnam. Summit level engagements, Ministerial meetings

and official level discussions are held in order to fulfill the Look East

Policy agenda.

TRADE FRAMEWORK

Agreements with ASEAN

India and the ASEAN signed the Agreement on Trade in Goods

under the broader framework of Comprehensive Economic Coop-

eration Agreement (CECA) between India and the ASEAN on 13th

August 2009. The Agreement became fully operational between all

the ASEAN Member States and India w.e.f 1st January, 2010.

India and ASEAN Member countries have also signed an Agreement

on trade in Services and Investment. These Agreements came into

effect from 1.7.2015.

India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation

Agreement (CECA)

First Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement

(CECA) was signed with Singapore on 29th June, 2005 and became

operational from 1st August, 2005. The 1st Review of India-Singa-

pore CECA was concluded on 1st October, 2007. The 2nd Review

of India-Singapore CECA is currently underway.

India-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation

Agreement

A Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)

was signed with Malaysia on 18th February 2011 and became oper-

ational from 1st July 2011. Under the CECA, India and Malaysia

have offered commitments over and above the commitments offered

by them under ASEAN -India Agreement on Trade in Goods.

India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement

India and Thailand signed a Framework Agreement on 9.10.2003

for establishing an India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement. There is

an Early Harvest Scheme under this Framework Agreement com-

prising 83 items of mutual interest for which both sides have agreed

to make tariff concessions in a phased manner with 100% reduction

by 1.9.2006.

MYANMAR

India and Myanmar have a Joint Trade Committee (JTC) to look

into the bilateral economic relations at the Minister level. Six meet-

ings of India-Myanmar JTC have been held so far. The last JTC

Meeting was held with Myanmar on 27th June 2017 at New Delhi.

An India-Myanmar Border Trade Committee, Border Haat Commit-

tee and Joint Trade and Investment Forum are also in place.

The Land Custom Station at Zokhawthar in Mizoram was inau-

gurated by Hon’ble CIM on 25th March 2015. Along with Moreh in

Manipur, the two are the main trade points. India-Myanmar border

trade has reached a significant milestone by switching over from

barter trade to normal trade from 1.12.2015. Now trade at the border

is allowed on all commodities instead of only 62 items earlier.

PHILIPPINES AND VIETNAM

India and Philippines have a Joint Working Group on Trade and

Investment. 12 Meetings have been held so far. The 12th meeting

of JWG was held in New Delhi on 31st March 2016. India and Viet

Nam have set up a Joint Trade Sub-Commission and three meetings

have been held so far. The third meeting of the Joint Trade Sub-

Commission was held at New Delhi on 15th March, 2016.

Project Development Fund for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,

Vietnam region

In order to catalyze investments from the Indian private sector

in the CLMV region, a proposal for establishment of a Project De-

velopment Fund which will, through separate Special Purpose Ve-

hicles (SPVs), set up manufacturing hubs in Cambodia, Myanmar,

Laos and Vietnam was approved on 31.08.2016. This is presently

under implementation in the Department.

ASEAN TRADE

India’s trade with ASEAN countries was US$ 71.69 billion dur-

ing the year 2016-17 and US$ 30.74 billion during 2017-18 (April-

August). Major destinations for India’s exports and imports in the

region are Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Major Commodities of Export & Import – ASEAN

The principal commodities of export include Petroleum prod-

ucts, Buffalo meat, Ship, boat and floating structure, Marine prod-

ucts, Pearl, precious, semiprecious stones, Copper and products

made of copper, Iron and steel, Spices, Organic chemicals, Drug

formulations, biological, Industrial Machinery for dairy etc, Ground-

nut, Electric machinery and equipment, Auto components/parts,

Motor vehicle/cars,

The principal commodities of import include Vegetable oils,

Coal, coke and briquettes etc, Petroleum: crude, Computer hardware,

peripherals, Organic chemicals, Plastic raw materials, Telecom in-

struments, Consumer electronics, Pulses, Petroleum products, Cop-

per and products made of copper, Electronics components, Iron

and steel, Electronics instruments and Natural rubber.

II TRADE RELATIONS WITH COUNTRIES IN SOUTH

ASIA AND IRAN

South Asia comprises of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,

India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India's trade with

South Asia stood at USD 22.08 billion in 2016¬17 as against USD

21.59 billion in 2015-16, registering a growth of 2.26%. The total

exports of India within South Asia Region for 2016-17 were valued

at USD 19.22 billion and the total imports from other South Asian

countries were USD 2.81 billion. India is the biggest trading partner

for Nepal and Bhutan while for India, Bangladesh is the largest trad-

ing partner in South Asia, followed by Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan,

Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives. A remarkable feature of India's

trade in South Asia is that it enjoys a substantial trade surplus with

all South Asian countries.

India's export basket to South Asia is quite diverse. In 2016-17,

the maximum share of exports was of engineering products, which

contributed around 33% of total exports to South Asia—mainly

transportation products—vehicles, aircraft etc., machinery (10% of

exports) and base metals (9.5% of exports). This is followed by tex-

tiles and textile articles, which contributed 20% of the total exports

to South Asia-mainly raw material for further manufacturing for the

textile sector of South Asian countries which benefit from zero duty

exports to the developed world. Agricultural products such as veg-

etable products, animal products, animal and vegetable fats and pre-

pared foodstuffs, together accounted for 13% of the total exports.

Agricultural products account for the major share of imports

from South Asia, contributing 31.8% of the total imports in 2016-

17, out of which the largest share was of vegetable products- com-

prising mainly of edible fruits and nuts, coffee, tea and spices. The

other major sectors of import are textiles and textile products (21%

of imports), minerals (16% of imports) and engineering products

(13% of imports)—mainly base metals. Unlike textile exports, the

textile imports are diverse comprising of both raw material as well


S. Country 2016-17 2017- 18 (Apr-Aug)

Country-wise trade figures for ASEAN Region

Export Import Total Trade Export Import Total Trade

1 BRUNEI 42.88 627.85 670.73 22.39 219.12 241.51

2 CAMBODIA 105.06 36.10 141.16 43.68 20.36 64.04

3 INDONESIA 3488.12 13427.99 16916.11 1384.30 6473.40 7857.70

4 LAO PD RP 25.72 207.38 233.10 7.90 101.99 109.89

5 MALAYSIA 5224.86 8933.59 14158.45 1984.01 3732.91 5716.92

6 MYANMAR 1107.89 1067.25 2175.14 345.50 464.71 810.21

7 PHILIPPINES 1482.52 494.62 1977.14 522.58 339.49 862.07

8 SINGAPORE 9564.58 7086.57 16651.15 3640.35 2886.21 6526.56

9 THAILAND 3133.44 5415.40 8548.84 1368.12 2710.04 4078.16

10 VIETNAM SO 6786.56 3320.56 10107.12 2744.15 1737.64 4481.79

C REP

Total 30961.62 40617.31 71578.93 12062.98 18685.87 30748.85

India's Total 275851.71 384355.55 660207.26 114949.41 182304.15 297253.56

% Share 11.22 10.57 10.84 10.49 10.25 10.34

as finished products.

AFGHANISTAN

Under Strategic Partnership Agreement between Afghanistan &

India, a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade, Commerce and In-

vestment functions between the Ministries of Commerce and Indus-

tries of the two countries, at the level of Commerce Secretary, to

discuss the issues related to trade and economic co-operation be-

tween the two countries. The second meeting of the JWG was held

on 29th -30th March 2017 in New Delhi wherein several connectivity

related issues such transit of goods through Pakistan, establishment

of air-freight corridor and bilateral motor vehicles agreement were

discussed, apart from other issues.

The Air freight Corridor has been operationalized since June

2017 which has helped in facilitating bilateral trade. CWTOS has

started training of Afghan Trade Officers to familiarise them with

international trade regulation and world trading system and equip

them to perform their respective functions in administration and

government.

BANGLADESH

The Bilateral Trade Agreement between India and Bangladesh

provides for expansion of trade and economic cooperation but does

not prescribe any preferential tariffs for the imports of products

into the other country. India has provided zero duty access to LDC

members of SAFTA for all tariff lines, except for 25 lines related to

liquor and tobacco. Bangladesh being a LDC enjoys preferential ac-

cess to Indian market under SAFTA.

A Joint Working Group (JWG) for trade, at the level of Joint

Secretary, functions between India and Bangladesh for discussion

on trade related issues. The 10th meeting of the JWG was held in

New Delhi on 08th-09th June 2016 and the 11th meeting was held

on 13th - 14th September 2017 at Dhaka. In addition to the JWG at

the level of Joint Secretary, meetings are also held at the level of

Commerce Secretary. The last Commerce Secretary level talks were

held on 15th - 16th November 2016 at New Delhi, in which several

trade related issues were discussed. The next round of Commerce

Secretary level talks is planned to be held by February-March 2018.

Exports to Bangladesh have been facilitated by identifying and

resolving issues adversely them. Efforts were made to improve con-

nectivity, resulting in 24x7 operationalisation of Petrapole-Benapole

Integrated Check post, which is the most important land border

crossing point, wef 01.08.2017. Bangladesh has been persuaded to

remove discrepancies in imposition of Minimum Import Price vis-

à-vis other countries, modify relevant notification to automatically

extend SAFTA concessions, without need for annual extensions and

requested to remove port restrictions, which is being actively con-

sidered.

India and Bangladesh have established Border Haats to promote

well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas by establishing

traditional system of marketing the local produce through local mar-

kets. The renewed MoU for establishment of Border Haats was

signed in April 2017, which will facilitate further development of

Border Haats, in addition to the four currently operational Border

Haats. Efforts are being made to establish six more Border Haats,as

already agreed between the two countries.

BHUTAN

The revised Trade Agreement between India and Bhutan, namely

Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit was signed in Thimphu

on 12th November 2016 for a period of ten years and it has become

effective from 29th July, 2017. In terms of the Agreement, there is

free trade between the two countries and no Basic Customs Duty is

levied on import of any product from Bhutan or export to Bhutan.

Further, the trade is carried out in Indian Rupees and Bhutanese cur-

rency (Ngultrums). The Agreement also provides transit facilities to

landlocked Bhutan to facilitate its trade with third countries and

movement of goods from one part of Bhutan to another through

Indian Territory.

The trade and transit related issues between India and Bhutan


are discussed in the bilateral meeting on trade and transit at the level

of Commerce Secretary. The last meeting was held on 18th-19th Jan-

uary 2017 at New Delhi.

For facilitation of bilateral trade and on Bhutan's request, new

Land Customs Stations (LCSs) were notified and three existing LCSs

were upgraded to permanent LCSs from seasonal LCSs. Efforts have

been rnade to analyse and_resolve the_issues-affecting bilateral-and

transit trade on account of the introduction of GST, as identified

by Bhutan. Relevant steps have been taken, with the help of con-

cerned agencies, to facilitate exemption of GST on transit trade and

on supply of services to Bhutan which involve payment in Indian

rupees.

NEPAL

Bilateral trade between India and Nepal is governed by the India-

Nepal Treaty of Trade, which was last renewed on 27th October

2016 for a further period of seven years. Under the Treaty, India has

provided duty free access to almost all the products imported from

Nepal, except few products relating to tobacco, perfumes and

cosmetics and alcohol. However, India has applied tariff rate quotas

on the import of four products- Vegetable fats, Acrylic yarn, Copper

products and Zinc Oxide from Nepal.

India also allows transit of third country goods destined to

Nepal and export of Nepalese goods to third counties through its

territory. The transit is governed by the India-Nepal Treaty of Tran-

sit. Under the Treaty, the transit of goods takes place through des-

ignated routes under a defined procedure. India has allowed the use

of Vishakhapatnam port for traffic in transit for Nepal in addition

to Kolkata/Haldia port.

As a bilateral mechanism to review the issues relating to bilateral

trade, transit and unauthorized trade related issues, an Inter-Gov-

ernmental Committee (IGC) functions at the level of Commerce

Secretaries of the two countries. Apart from IGC, an Inter-Govern-

mental Sub-Committee (IGSC) also functions at the level of Joint

Secretary. The last meeting of the IGC was held on 28-29 June, 2016

at New Delhi where both sides discuss various bilateral trade related

issues. The next meetings of the IGC and IGSC are planned in Feb-

ruary-March,2018.

Both sides are working on several projects to improve trade in-

frastructure and connectivity, including development of 7 Integrated

Check Posts (ICPs) on India — Nepal Border at Raxaul, Jogbani,

Sunauli, Panitanki, Rupaidiha, Gauri Pantha and Bhitamore. The

ICPs at Raxaul and Jogbani (only for cargo) are already operational.

Several efforts were made to enhance bilateral trade. Requests

from Nepal regarding market access to livestock products by desig-

nating new entry points and exemption from levy of countervailing

duty (CVD) on jute products have been fulfilled. Various issues af-

fecting Indian exports in the nature of harmonisation of standards,

licensing requirements among others were identified for resolution

and the same are under consideration of Nepal.

Efforts have been made to analyse and resolve the issues affect-

ing bilateral and transit trade on account of the introduction of

GST, as identified by Nepal. Relevant steps have been taken, with

the help of concerned agencies, to facilitate exemption of GST on

transit trade and on supply of services to Nepal which involve pay-

ment in Indian rupees

SRI LANKA

India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) has been in op-

eration since 1st March, 2000. Under this Agreement, both countries

agreed to phase out trade tariffs from each other within a fixed time

frame except for those items in the Negative List of each other.

India has provided duty-free access to almost all the lines, except a

few lines on which 25% duty concessions are provided and on

around 417 products on which no concessions are given. Tariff rate

quotas have been prescribed by India on import of apparel, tea, pep-

per, desiccated coconut and vanaspati, bakery shortening and mar-

garine from Sri Lanka. Under ISLFTA, Sri Lanka has provided

duty-free access for almost all the products except a few lines on

which some tariff is prescribed. In addition,

Sri Lanka maintains a list of around 1220 products, on which no

tariff concessions have been provided under ISLFTA.

The bilateral talks between the two countries take place at the

level of Commerce Secretary. The 4th Commerce Secretary level

talks were held on 21st December 2015 at New Delhi. During the

meeting, Sri Lanka proposed broader economic engagement be-

tween the two countries through a proposed Economic and Tech-

nology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA).

Six rounds of negotiations on the proposed ETCA have been

completed. The proposed

ETCA covers trade in services, investment and economic, and

technology cooperation, in addition to the trade in goods. Text based

negotiations are being carried out on the Chapters covering trade in

goods, trade in services, Investment as well as economic and tech-

nology cooperation.

IRAN

Currently there is no bilateral/multilateral Trade Agreement with

Iran. However, a Joint Working Group between the Ministry of

Commerce and Industry in India and the Ministry of Industry, Mine

& Trade in the Islamic Republic of Iran is functioning at the level

of Commerce Secretary to discuss the issues related to bilateral trade

between the two countries. First meeting of the JWG was held on

6th -8th April 2015 in Tehran and the second meeting was held in

New Delhi on 18th -19th November 2015.

In the first JWG meeting, India and Iran had agreed to com-

mence preliminary consultations for entering into a Preferential

Trade Agreement (PTA). During the visit of the Prime Minister to

Iran in May 2016, it was agreed to conclude the PTA at an early date.

The broad principles of the PTA are being worked out before com-

mencing negotiations on the text.

India-Iran-Afghanistan Trilateral agreement (Chabahar

Agreement) was signed during the year in May 2016 in Tehran.

The main objective of the Agreement is to provide transport

corridor for transport and transit of goods through Chabahar

port for India, Iran and Afghanistan. Recently Chabahar port

has been inaugurated, which will provide an alternative route to

Indian exports destined for Afghanistan and Central Asia, by-

passing Pakistan.

III TRADE WITH NORTH EAST ASIA

India’s trade with the North East Asia (hereafter NEA) region

comprising People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Republic of

Korea (South Korea), Japan, Taiwan, Democratic People’s Republic

of Korea (North Korea), Mongolia and Macao stood at US$ 129.6

billion during 2016-17, which is an increase of 3.74 % over the pre-

vious year. Exports to the NEA region were of the order of US$

34.55 billion during 2016-17, registering a positive growth of 12%

over the last year. Imports from the region increased by 1% to US$

95.06 billion during 2016-17. The trade deficit with NEA countries

during 2016-17 has narrowed to US$ 60.52 billion from US$ 63.28

billion in 2015-16. Trade with NEA countries from 2011-12 to 2016-

17 is given in graph as under:


Trade with North East Asia Region Trade with major NEA Countries during 2016-17(US$ million)

(US$ million)Trade data with NEA countries for 2016-17

S.No.Country Export % Import % Total % Trade Growth Growth trade Growth balance

1 China 10171.18 12.88 61281.57 -0.69 71452.75 1.04 -51110.39

2 Hong Kong 14047.24 16.17 8204.18 35.57 22251.42 22.64 5843.06

3 Korea RP 4241.42 20.40 12585.35 -3.54 16826.78 1.55 -8343.93

4 Japan 3845.73 -17.52 9754.64 -0.97 13600.37 -6.29 -5908.91

5 Taiwan 2183.64 53.14 3142.89 -6.30 5326.52 11.43 -959.25

6 Korea DPRP 44.84 -59.56 88.59 0.78 133.43 -32.88 -43.75

7 Mongolia 9.78 15.88 1.99 -51.93 11.77 -6.36 7.79

8 Macao 1.51 -23.35 7.91 -4.58 9.42 -8.19 -6.40

Total of NEA 34545.34 12.03 95067.12 1.02 129612.46 3.74 -60521.78

% share in India’s total 12.52 24.73 19.63 55.78

Commodity Composition with NEA region

The commodity composition of India’s trade with the NEA re-

gion has undergone many changes and has been driven by trade pol-

icy, movements in international prices, and the changing pattern of

domestic demand. Major items of export to the region include dia-

monds (cut or otherwise worked), silver and gold jewellery, mineral

oils (other than crude), iron ores, cotton yarn, refined copper, un-

wrought aluminium, ferro alloys, granite, frozen shrimps & prawn

etc. Major items of import from the region include mobile phones

and their parts, solar cells, laptops, diamonds, precious stones other

than diamonds, cultured pearls, parts of motor vehicles, polymers

of venyl chloride, electronic integrated circuits, unwrought silver,

machinery items for power projects etc.

Trade Agreements

India-Korea CEPA

A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

between India and Republic of Korea was signed on 7th August

2009 which came into force from 1st January 2010. The two sides

commenced negotiations for upgradation of CEPA in 2016. Third

round of negotiations was held on 21-22 September 2017 in Seoul.

Under the institutional mechanism of CEPA, third Joint Committee

meeting at ministerial level was held on 23rd September 2017 in

Seoul. The Indian delegation for the Joint Committee meeting was

led by Shri Suresh Prabhu, Commerce & Industry Minister.

India-Japan CEPA

A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

between India and Japan was signed on 16th February 2011 which

came into force from 1st August 2011. Under the institutional mech-

anism of CEPA, fourth Joint Committee meeting at Secretary level

was held on 4th August 2017 in Tokyo. The Indian delegation for

the Joint Committee meeting was led by Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce

Secretary. The meetings of Sub-committee on Rules of Origin, Sub-

committee on TBT/SPS measures, Sub-committee on Trade in serv-

ices, Sub-committee on Improvement of Business Environment and

Sub-committee on Movement of Natural Persons were also held

during 2017-18.

Recent Trade Related Activities

H.E. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan paid an official visit

to India on 13-14 September 2017 to hold discussions with Shri

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India under the Special Strategic

and Global Partnership between the two countries. 15 Agree-

ments/MoUs were signed during the visit. These include India-Japan

Investment Promotion Roadmap between DIPP and METI, Ex-

change of RoD on Civil Aviation Cooperation (Open Sky), MoC in

the field of Japanese Language Education in India among others.

IV TRADE WITH NORTH AMERICA FREE TRADE

AGREEMENT (NAFTA)

In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

came into effect, creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones

consisting of the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mex-

ico. India has robust strategic partnership with the NAFTA Coun-

tries and bilateral relations have always remained closer, warm and


cordial. Regular high level visits are taking place with these coun-

tries and the leaders from both sides resolved to expand and deepen

the strategic partnership and increasing free and fair trade. Bilateral

trade in goods and services have shown a remarkable growth over

the years. India has surplus trade in goods with USA and Mexico,

while has trade deficit in so far Canada is concerned. The figures in

respect of India’s bilateral trade (exports and imports) in goods for

the last 5 years are shown in the table below.

India is also having surplus trade in services with NAFTA

Countries. In order to resolve trade issues of concern with the

three NAFTA countries, the following Institutional Mechanisms

are in place.

USA

There are primarily two institutional mechanisms for promotion

of Trade and Investment between India and USA.

India-US Commercial Dialogue: The India – USA Commercial

Dialogue (CD) was signed on March 23, 2000 as an institutional

arrangement between USA Department of Commerce (US DoC)

and Department of Commerce (DoC) facilitating trade and maxi-

mizing investment opportunities across a broad range of economic

sectors. In 2015 the ‘Commercial Dialogue’ and ‘Strategic Dialogue’

are merged to form ‘Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S&CD)’

and 1st India-US S&CD was held in September, 2015 at Washington

D.C and 2nd India-US S&CD was held in August, 2016 at New

Delhi. India-US Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Forum forms an

organic link guiding the agenda for the Commercial Dialogue. To fa-

cilitate better focus on trade and commercial relations, the Commer-

cial Dialogue has now been delinked from S&CD and restructured

to avoid duplication and overlap of subjects dealt under Trade Policy

Forum and Commercial Dialogue.

The first session of Commercial Dialogue was held in October,

2017 at Washington D.C. Indian side was led by Minister for Com-

merce and Industry, Mr. Suresh Prabhu and from U.S. the Secretary

of Commerce, Mr. Wilbur Ross. Given impressive three-fold increase

in total U.S.-India trade since 2005, both sides affirmed the significant

strategic and economic importance of the U.S.-India relationship in

promoting joint economic growth, job creation, and prosperity. While

highlighting many areas of progress, both sides reiterated commit-

ment to make meaningful progress to unlock new trade and invest-

ment opportunities for U.S. and Indian businesses. U.S.-India noted

the growing commercial relationship between the two nations includ-

ing cooperation in the areas of standards, ease of doing business, and

(US$ million)Trade data with NEA countries for 2016-17

Country 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Exports 2,036.58 2,037.01 2,196.00 2,018.42 2,004.12

Canada Imports 2,800.22 3,148.25 3,749.42 4,234.03 4,131.52

Total Trade 4,836.80 5,185.26 5,945.42 6,252.45 6,135.64

Exports 1,628.24 2,227.44 2,861.55 2,865.16 3,460.98

Mexico Imports 4,037.62 3,672.43 3,393.15 2,283.19 2,944.52

Total Trade 5,665.86 5,899.87 6,254.70 5,148.35 6405.50

Exports 36,155.22 39,142.10 42,448.66 40,335.82 42,212.27

USA Imports 25,204.73 22,505.08 21,814.60 21,781.39 22,307.44

Total Trade 61,359.95 61,647.19 64,263.26 62,117.21 64,519.71

Total Trade with three 71,862.61 72,732.32 76,463.38 73,518.01 77,060.85NAFTA Countries

Share of India’s trade with 9.08% 9.51% 10.08% 11.43% 11.67%NAFTA Countries in the total world trade


travel and tourism. It was decided to take forward the positive out-

comes from holding best practices exchanges between the National

Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Bureau of Indian

Standards (BIS), and India’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL). U.S.

took note and appreciated implementation of an ongoing series of

Ease of Doing Business webinars to introduce U.S. and Indian com-

panies to commercial opportunities in each other’s markets. In travel

and tourism, the successful outcomes from the U.S.-India Travel and

Tourism Partnership Year, including an Aviation Connectivity Round-

table held in last February were noted. Both India and U.S. reiterated

the commitment to holding the next U.S.-India CEO Forum meeting

in 2018 which could not be held in the current year.

India-US Trade Policy Forum: India-US Trade Policy Forum

(TPF), announced in July, 2005, is designed to expand bilateral trade

and investment relations between India and the United States. This

Forum has been instrumental in creating an institutional mechanism

to resolve a host of trade issues, amicably, between the two nations.

It has provided a good platform for interaction on market access to

each other’s commodities, sort out procedural bottlenecks, discuss

investment opportunities and pursue collaboration in the areas of

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).

The 11th TPF meeting was held in October, 2017 at Washington

D.C. with its working groups on Trade and Market Access and In-

tellectual Property. To bring in sharpness of focus and avoid duplic-

ity with Commercial Dialogue, appropriate restructuring was done

for the current round, focussing on issues with clear deliverables.

Indian side was led by Minister for Commerce and Industry, Mr.

Suresh Prabhu and from the U.S. side Mr. Robert E. Lighthizer,

USTR led the delegation. Issues related to bilateral trade between

the two countries and areas of mutual cooperation, and issues of

market access in agriculture and non-agricultural goods, services and

issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) were discussed.

Both the countries resolved to work towards building strong trade

and investment ties to realize mutual gains from the partnership.

CANADA

India-Canada Trade Policy Consultations: Annual Trade Pol-

icy Consultations (TPCs) were formalized in October 2003 providing

an effective platform to deal with trade barriers and explore new areas

of economic cooperation. The 7th Meeting of the India-Canada Trade

Policy Consultations was held in October, 2010 in New Delhi at the

level of the Commerce Secretary (India) and Deputy Minister of In-

ternational trade (Canada). No Meetings has been held thereafter.

India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue: During the visit

of Prime Minister to Canada in June, 2010 it was agreed for an annual

ministerial dialogue (AMD) on Trade and Investment between

Canada’s Minister of International Trade and India’s Minister of Com-

merce and Industry and the first AMD was held at Ottawa in Septem-

ber, 2010. 4th India-Canada AMD was held on 13th Nov, 2017 at New

Delhi. The Indian Delegation was led by Shri. Suresh Prabhu, Minister

for Commerce and Industry while the Canadian side was headed by

Mr. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister for International Trade.

The discussion covered outstanding trade and investment related

issues and among other things, focussed on expanding bilateral trade

and having more B2B interface with constitution of CEO Forum

by Canada. Canada is an important partner of India in the NAFTA

region with a mutual trade of $ 6.1 billion which is much below the

potential between the two robust economies, despite huge potential.

Some of the important issues such as Canadian concerns on dero-

gation of pulses, Indian pending request for organic equivalence,

progress of Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agree-

ment (FIPA) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

(CEPA), exploring the possibility of cooperation between support-

ing agencies, etc.

India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Policy Agreement

(CEPA): The launch of India-Canada CEPA negotiations an-

nounced by PMs of both the countries in Seoul and formally

launched in November 2010 at New Delhi, following the release of

the Canada-India Joint Study Report, in September 2010. Agreement

covers Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Rules of Origin, Sanitary

and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade and other

areas of economic cooperation.

Ten Rounds of Negotiations have been held till date, with the

last Round being held in New Delhi, India in August, 2017. Discus-

sions were held under five chapters during the 10th Round and both

sides expressed their strong commitment for taking forward the ne-

gotiations for early conclusion.

MEXICO

India Mexico BHLG: A Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) was signed between India and Mexico on 21st May, 2007 at

New Delhi by the then Minister of Commerce and Industry and

Minister of Economy, Mexico for the establishment of a Bilateral

High Level Group (BHLG) on Trade, Investment and Economic

Cooperation. The BHLG mainly include promoting bilateral coop-

eration, maintaining liaison in the economic, commercial, technical

and other related fields and information exchange. Under the BHLG

six Working Groups have been created – (i) Trade Promotion (ii) In-

vestment Promotion (including infrastructure) (iii) Custom Cooper-

ation (iv) Services Promotion (v) Tourism Promotion and (vi)

Industrial dialogue with private sector participation (Chemical-

Pharma, Textiles and Bio-fuels sectors).

The BHLG helped in engaging with Mexico on many issues con-

cerning trade and possibilities for partnerships in promoting invest-

ment in sectors like telecom, IT, Pharmaceutical, Tourism, etc.

During 7th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in the month of

June, 2017 both sides discussed trade and commercial issues under

‘Sub-Commission on Economic and Trade Issues’, as a follow up to

the 4th India - Mexico BHLG held in 2016. Both sides reiterated

for enhancing a closer cooperation between Invest India and

ProMexico to promote bilateral trade and investment flows, bilateral

business promotion, SMEs cooperation and exchange of informa-

tion in the areas of trade statistics and services.

V. TRADE WITH EUROPE

Europe consists of the following countries:

i. European Union (EU), comprising 28 countries1;

1 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,

Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.


ii. European Free Trade Association (EFTA) , comprising 4 coun-

tries; and

iii. Other European countries of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,

Macedonia, Union of Serbia & Montenegro and Turkey.

During 2016-17, exports to European countries were US$ 53.24

billion, accounting for 19.30% of India's total exports and imports

from European countries were US$ 61.45 billion, which was 15.99%

of India's total imports. During the year, India's total trade with Eu-

rope decreased by 0.25% to US$114.69 billion as compared to the

previous year 2015-16, and exports increased by 5.76% to US$

53.24billion US$ but imports decreased by 4.93% to US$ 61.45 bil-

lion. During the period April-Sep, 2017 India's trade with Europe

increased by 14.20% to US$ 61.16 billion as compared to the corre-

sponding period of the previous year, 2015-16, with exports having

increased by 8.96% to US$ 28.15 billion and imports having in-

creased by 19.08% to US$ 33.02 billion.

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

EU is India's largest trading partner. Total trade with EU during

the financial year 2016-17 was US$ 89.55 billion (bn) with exports

worth US$ 47.20 bn and imports worth 42.36 bn. EU accounted for

about 13.56% of India's total trade during 2016-17. India's trade

with EU increased by 1.31% during the period 2016-17 while exports

to EU increased by 6.07% but imports decreased by 3.51% as com-

pared to the previous year. During the period April-Sep, 2017, India's

trade with EU increased by 7.52% as compared to the corresponding

period of the previous year with exports increased by 8.73% and im-

ports increased by 6.21%.

Important issues in India's trade with the EU are sanitary and

phyto-sanitary standards, technical barriers, complex system of

quota/tariff, anti-dumping/anti-subsidy measures against Indian

products, etc. These issues have a bearing on market access for

India's exports to the EU. These issues are regularly taken up in the

Joint Working Groups and the Sub-Commission on Trade. Issues af-

fecting trade with individual European countries are also taken up

at the bilateral fora in the form of Joint Commissions.

India-EU bilateral relations are periodically reviewed at the high-

est official level by the India-EU Joint Commission. The 24th Ses-

sion of India-EU Joint Commission Meeting was held on 14th July,

2017 at Brussels. Further, there are three Sub-Commissions on

Trade, Economic Cooperation and Development Cooperation and

seven Joint Working Groups on agriculture and marine products,

textiles, steel, food processing industries, pharmaceuticals & bio-

technology, Customs Cooperation and technical barriers to trade

(TBT)/sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) issues are functioning. The

last meeting of India-EU Sub Commission on Trade was held on

121h July, 2017 at Brussels.

INDIA-EU BTIA NEGOTIATIONS

In September, 2005, the 6th India-EU Summit held in New

Delhi decided to establish a High-Level Trade Group (HLTG) to ex-

plore ways and means to widen and broaden the economic relation-

ship and explore possibility of a trade and investment agreement,

viz., Broad-based bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).

In pursuance of the recommendations of the HLTG to enter into

negotiations for the agreement, 16 rounds of negotiations had taken

place between India and EU from 2007 till 2013, when EU withdrew

from the negotiations. In 2016, after EU showed interest, four

rounds of stock-taking meetings have taken place. In another meet-

ing of the Chief Negotiators held in Brussels on 13th July, 2017, in

which it was decided to discuss a framework to understand possible

outcomes of negotiations between the two sides.

INDIA-EFTA TEPA NEGOTIATIONS

EFTA Trade bloc consists of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and

Liechtenstein. India and EFTA had initiated a dialogue on Trade and

Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in October, 2008. Nego-

tiations are held in 14 tracks/chapters viz., Government Procure-

ment, Dispute Settlement, Competition, Trade Facilitation,

Investment, and Sustainable Development, SPS, TBT, Trade Reme-

dies, Trade in Goods, Trade in Service, Rules of Origin, Legal and

Horizontal Provisions and Intellectual Property Rights which both

sides committed to resolve in a time-bound manner. So far, 17

rounds of negotiations have been held. The last round was held

from 18th to 21st September, 2017 in New Delhi.

Institutional Mechanism

India has established Institutional mechanism with several Eu-

ropean countries viz. UK, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium-

Luxembourg, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Serbia,

Croatia, Slovenia, Austria„ Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus,

Finland, Greece, Romania and Turkey as well as the EU.

Joint Commission Meetings

The details of Joint Commission meetings are follows:

2 Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland


Joint Commission Co-Chairs Venue, Date

15th India-SwitzerlandJoint Commission onEconomic Cooperation

11th meeting of India-UKJoint Economic andTrade Committee

7th session of the India-Greece Joint EconomicCommittee

3rd Session of India-Serbia Joint EconomicCommittee

18th Session of the India-Romania Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation

18th Session of India-Finland Joint EconomicCommittee

9th Session of India-Slovak Joint EconomicCommittee

19th meeting of theIndia-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation

15th Session of the JointEconomic Commissionmeeting between Indiaand Belgium Luxembourg EconomicUnion (BLEU)

4th Session of India-Portugal Joint EconomicCommission

24th session of the EU-India Joint Commission

15th Session of the India-Austria Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation

10th Session of India-Croatia Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation

Berne, 25th October, 2016

New Delhi, 7th November, 2016

New Delhi, 23rd November, 2016

Video conference be-tween New Delhi and Bel-grade, 10th March, 2017

New Delhi, 7th April, 2017

Helsinki, 20th April, 2017

Bratislava, 21st April, 2017

Rome, May, 11th-12th, 2017

Luxembourg, 29th May, 2017

Lisbon, 30th May, 2017

Brussels, 14th July, 2017

New Delhi, 20th July, 2017

New Delhi, 8th November, 2017

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and Ambassa-dor, Head of Bilateral Economic Relations Division andState Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Federal De-partment of Economic Affairs (FDEA) of Government ofSwitzerland

Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Minister for Commerceand Industry and Rt. Hon. Liam Fox, Secretary of State forInternational Trade, UK

Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary and Mr. George Ka-trougalos, Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hel-lenic Republic from the Hellenic side

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and State Sec-retary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic ofSerbia

Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary and Mr. CristianDima, Secretary of State, Ministry for Business Environ-ment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Government ofRomania

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and Director-General of the Department for the Americas and Asia, Min-istry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and DirectorGeneral of Strategy Section, Ministry of Economy of theSlovak Republic

Honble Minister of Commerce, Ms. Nirmala Sitharamanand Carlo Calenda, Minister of Economic Development

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce; Director for Eu-ropean and International Economic Affairs, Ministry ofForeign and European Affairs from the Grand Duchy ofLuxembourg and Deputy Director-general Bilateral Affairs,Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs from the Kingdomof Belgium

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and Deputy Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and ManagingDirector for Asia Pacific, European External Action Service

Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and Vice Min-ister, Federal Ministry of Science, Research and EconomyRepublic of Austria

Joint Secretary, Department and Chief Adviser to the Min-ister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, Govern-ment of Croatia


Bilateral Meetings:

� Hon'ble Prime Minister had bilateral meeting with Ms. Doris

Leuthard, President of Swiss confederation on 31.08.2017 and

01.09.2017 in New Delhi.

� Hon'ble Commerce & industry Minister had bilateral meetings

with Mr Milan Hovorka, Czech Ambassador, New Delhi on

07.09.2017 in New Delhi.

� The then Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for

Commerce & Industry, Ms.Nirmala Sitharaman had bilateral

meeting with :-

a) Ms. Anna Ekstrom, Minister for Upper Secondary

School and Adult Education and Training of Sweden on

11.01.2017

b) Ms. Martina Dalic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister

of the Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, Govern-

ment of Croatia on 14.02.2017 in Zagreb, Croatia

c) Mr Predrag Stromar, Governor of Varazdin, Croatia on

14.02.2017 in Croatia.

d) Mr. Dubravko Bilic Mayor of Ludbreg, Croatia on

14.02.2017 in Croatia.

� Hon'ble Minister of State (Commerce & Industry) Shri C.R.

Chaudhury had bilateral meetings with:-

a) Mr Milos Zeman, President of the Czech Republic on

09.10.2017

b) Mr Jiri Havlicek (JHL), Minister of Industry and Trade

of the Czech Republic on 10.10.2017

c) Mr Peter Ziga, Minister of Economy, Slovak Republic

on 10.10.2017

d) Mr Milan Stech, President of the Senate of the Parlia-

ment on 11.10.2017

VI. Trade with Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) comprises the

Russian Federation, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,

Moldova, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turk-

menistan and Uzbekistan (the last 5 countries jointly referred to as

the Central Asian Republics). Bilateral trade with these countries is

as shown in the graph below:

Bilateral Merchandise trade with CIS region (US$ million)

Data Source: DGCI&S

Year Exports Imports Total trade Percentage Growth of Total Trade

2014-2015 3,396.13 7,665.23 11,061.36 (-) 1.37

2015-2016 2,391.64 7,078.38 9,470.02 (-) 14.39

2016-2017 2,793.94 9,322.77 12,116.71 27.95

2017-2018 (April-Sept) 1,501.32 6,172.31 7,673.63 -(Provisional)

Value in USD Million

Source : DGCI&S Kolkata

Trade with CIS


The CIS region had a share 1.01 percent in India’s exports and 2.43 per-

cent in its imports during 2016-17. The Principal commodities of exports

to the region include Drug, Pharmaceuticals & Fine Chemicals; IC Engines

and Parts; Tea; Aircraft, Spacecraft and Parts; Coffee; Iron and Steel; Auto

Components/Parts; Marine Products; Tobacco Unmanufactured; RMG

Cotton Including Accessories. Important items of imports to India from

this region are Pearl, Precious, Semiprecious Stones; Vegetable Oils; Petro-

leum: Crude; Wheat; Fertilizers Manufactured; Coal, Coke and Briquittes

etc.; Iron and Steel; Pulses; Inorganic Chemicals; and Petroleum Products.

Russian Federation: The Russian Federation, constituting a major

portion of the former USSR, continues to be India's most important

trading partner in the region accounting for about 61.81% of India’s total

trade with CIS region in 2016-2017. During 2017-18, following meetings

were held to discuss various issues concerning bilateral cooperation:

� The 22nd Session of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Com-

mission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural

Cooperation was held on 13th September, 2016 in New Delhi,

India, under the Co-Chairmanship of H.E. Smt. Sushma Swaraj,

Minister of External Affairs from the Indian side and Mr. D.O Ro-

gozin, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Fed-

eration, from the Russian side.

� The 22nd Session of India-Russia Working Group on Trade & Eco-

nomic Cooperation under the aegis of the Indo-Russian Inter-Gov-

ernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific,

Technological and Cultural Cooperation was held on 9th September,

2016 in New Delhi, India, under the Co-Chairmanship of Shri. Sunil

Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce from the Indian

side and Mr. Evgeny Popov, Director of the Department of the

Countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, Ministry of Economic

Development of the Russian Federation from the Russian side.

� The 23rd Session of the Indo-Russian Sub Group on Banking and

Financial matters was held on 01-03 May, 2017 at Udaipur, India. Dur-

ing this meeting it was agreed to improve interbank co-operation and

to have transparent and clear procedures. It was also decided to ex-

plore the possibilities of business through Indian and Russian Banks.

Central Asian Republics

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,

constitute the five Central Asian Republics in the CIS region. Depart-

ment of Commerce is the nodal Department for the Inter-Governmental

Commission (IGC) with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. During

2017-18, following meetings were held to discuss various issues concern-

ing bilateral cooperation:

� The 9th Session of India-Tajikistan Joint Commission meeting on

Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was held on

16th June, 2017 in New Delhi under the Co-Chairmanship of Com-

merce Secretary.

� The 6th Turkmenistan- India Joint Commission Meeting on Trade,

Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was held on Au-

gust 14, 2017 in New Delhi, India, under the Chairmanship of Min-

ister of External Affairs of India.

Other CIS Countries

Other six CIS countries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,

Moldova and Ukraine. Ukraine is India's second largest trading partner

of the CIS region accounting for about 23.04 % of India’s total trade

with CIS region in 2016-17. Department of Commerce is the nodal De-

partment for the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) with Azerbai-

jan. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the nodal for

India-Belarus Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC).

MAJOR INTIATIVES IN CIS REGION

An International Agreement on North South Transport Corridor

was signed by Ministry of Surface Transport (now Ministry of Shipping)

of India, Republic of Iran (Ministry of Road & Transportation) and

Russian Federation (Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Railways) on

12.09.2000 at St. Petersburg, Russia. Now handled by Department of

Commerce on the advice of MEA.

The route proposed in the Agreement was from India via sea to and

through Iran, Caspian Sea and to Russian Federation and beyond and

back. The transit movement is expected to be better and faster and also

cheaper and less time consuming.

Dry run study commenced on 24th July, 2014 on the following route:

� Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) – Bandar Abbas (Iran)-Tehran-Bandar An-

zali (Iran) – Astrakhan (Russia);

� Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) – Bandar Abbas (Iran) – Baku (Azerbaijan).

Dry run has been completed by the Federation of Freight For-

warders' Associations in India (FFFAI) under MAI scheme of DoC.

Final report on Dry Run has been accepted by this Department. The

same has been sent to the Council Secretariat of INSTC headquartered

at Tehran with a request that the Council may share the Report with all

the member countries. The result of the Dry Run indicates that transit

on the INSTC route is expected to be faster and cheaper over the tradi-

tional route.

The 6th Meeting of Coordination Council of INSTC and 7th Expert

Groups meeting were held during 19th to 21st August, 2015 in New

Delhi, India. The various issues for operationalization of INSTC i.e. Cus-

tom Issues, Shipping Issues/Port Issues, Railways Issues, Tariff Issues,

Common Documentation for INSTC Cargo, Insurance Issues, Banking

Issues, Visa & other Issues, IT Issues including common updatation of

INSTC website, Focal Point were discussed during this meeting.

INSTC Member countries, particularly, India, Iran and Russia need

to ensure adequate movement of cargo on the INSTC route. To encour-

age actual movement of cargo on this new route, the Government of

Russia and Iran have to suitably revise the transport tariff (rail charges)

and the port handling charges and offer attractive discounts in the initial

period so as to make the new route cost competitive.

The first meeting of the Expert of Custom authorities of Russia,

Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan was already held at As-

trakhan between 30th November to 3rd December,2015 and issues re-

lated with custom and transit were discussed.

A preliminary meeting of the Experts of Custom Authorities was held

in Mumbai on 22nd September,2016 for deciding the Custom Cooperation

Agreement. The next meeting of Coordination Council will be in Iran.

A meeting was also held on 2nd May, 2016 under the Chairpersonship of

Commerce Secretary to discuss the constraints and facilitation and measures

need to be taken by different countries to popularize trade along INSTC route.

Union Cabinet has on 6th March, 2017 approved India’s accession

to the Customs Convention on International Transport of Goods under

cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) and for completion of neces-

sary procedures for ratification. The TIR Convention would become op-

erational by December, 2017. This will facilitate seamless movement of

container cargo from India to Russia with further reduction in transit

time and transportation costs.

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with EAEU: India has completed all

procedural formalities required for commencing formal FTA negotia-

tions and ready to commence 1st round of FTA negotiations with mem-

ber-countries of the Eurasian Economic Union viz the Russian

Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

� The 1st meeting of Joint Feasibility Study Group (JFSG) with EAEU

was held on 31st July, 2015 in Moscow under the co-chairmanship

of Joint Secretary, FT(CIS), Department of Commerce. The 2nd

meeting of Joint Feasibility Study Group (JFSG) on the EAEU-In-

dian Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was held on 19th September, 2016

in Moscow, Russia. During this meeting JFSG report was finalized

and sent to Prime Minister Office for approval. It was agreed to ini-

tiate the FTA negotiations between the EAEU and its member states.

� A Joint Statement between EaEU and the republic of India to com-

mence negotiations for Free Trade Agreement was signed on 3rd

June, 2017.

JFSG for FTA with Georgia: A proposal was moved for setting up

a JFSG (Joint Feasibility Study Group) for studying the scope of

FTA with Georgia.

� The joint statement between India and Georgia to Commence Joint

Feasibility Study to explore the possibilities to have FTA between

both the countries has been signed on 11th April, 2017.

� The first meeting of the JFSG with Georgia was held on 1st May,

2017 through video conference under the co-chairmanship of Joint

Secretary, FT (CIS), Department of Commerce. The draft structure

of the Report (Chapterisation), contents of chapter, Nodal Points

for Chapters, Time-line for different chapters etc. were discussed

during this meeting.

� The second meeting of the Joint Feasibility Study Group (JFSG)

on FTA between India and Georgia was held on 13th Septem-

ber,2017 in New Delhi. In this both sides agreed to finalized the

Report and its recommendations and sign the protocol of comple-

tion of the Joint Feasibility Study within the agreed time schedule

indicated in the Joint Statement singed on 11th April 2017.

EXPORT INITIATIVES TO RUSSIA

In view of Office International des Epizooties (OIE) plus norms

insisted upon by the Russian Federation, India had not been able to ex-

port bovine meat products since long time. Indian side requested Russian

side for lifting of the temporary restrictions on import of bovine meat

from 3 plants in UP as it is free from FMD and the same has already

been submitted from DAHDF to OIE for uploading on the site.

Currently only 1 establishment is approved by FSVPS for export of

Bovine meat to Russia. Approval of the 6 more plants (4 in Uttar Pradesh

and 2 in Punjab) is awaited Russian side.

Govt. of India has further identified TN, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh

and Maharashtra as FMD free areas and Russian Authorities may consider

approval of establishments located in these areas. Also, a delegation from

FSVPS may also visit India for on-spot verification of FMD control pro-

gram and for re-inspection of these meat processing establishments.

Names of two approved dairy establishments are still showing with

a note “suspension of certification” on the official website of FSVPS

which is restricting the export of Dairy / milk products to Russia. Russ-

ian side has been requested to update their website for removal of the

suspension note.

Inter-Governmental Commission/Joint Commission - with CIS

Countries

� India-Azerbaijan Inter Governmental Commission on Trade, Eco-nomic, Scientific & Technological Cooperation under the Co-Chair-

manship of Minister of State for Commerce & Industry

� India-Kyrgyz Inter Governmental Commission on Trade, Eco-nomic, Scientific & Technological Cooperation under the Co-Chair-

manship of Minister of State for Commerce & Industry

� India-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific

& Technical Cooperation under the Co-Chairmanship of Com-

merce secretary.

� India-Uzbekistan Inter Governmental Commission on Trade, Eco-nomic, Scientific & Technological Cooperation under the Co-Chair-

manship of Minister of State for Commerce & Industry.

VI. TRADE WITH LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN

COUNTRIES

India and the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region stand at

opposite ends of the globe yet their relations have always remained

closer, warm and cordial. This region, comprised of 43 countries of

which 33 sovereign countries and 7 overseas territories, is endowed with

immense supplies of natural resources such as fresh water, minerals and

arable land. India shares a common history of colonialism and struggle

for independence with the region. With some of the Caribbean nations,

India shares a special bond of people of Indian origin, who form a valu-

able link of friendship and understanding between the two regions.

The rapid and growing commercial relationship is testimony to the

fact that geographical distance is not a deterrent for the India-LAC rela-

tionship. Over the years, India's ties with Latin America have expanded

beyond trade and investment to cooperation in areas such as energy,

knowledge sharing as well as in multilateral fora such as G-20, BRICS,

WTO and IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa).

Trade and Investment with the Latin American and Caribbean

Countries

India’s relations with LAC region are underpinned by strong trade

and investment links which have strengthened and deepened in a short

span of time. Both regions have assiduously overcome the limitations

posed by geographical distance to build mutually rewarding bilateral part-

nerships that exemplify South-South Cooperation. There is tremendous

scope for future growth in trade volumes as both the regions are highly

complementary in the energy and natural resources, pharmaceuticals,

auto and services sectors. Diversification of trade and access to new mar-

kets are also a priority of both India and LAC countries.

The total bilateral merchandise trade with the region excluding Mexico

(as Mexico is treated as part of NAFTA) increased from a modest US$ 9.07

billion in 2006-07 to US$ 24.52 billion in 2016-17 registering a growth of

170.34%. Our bilateral trade with the LAC region constituted 3.71% of the

India’s total global trade with export 2.62% and import 4.50 % during the

same period. From LAC perspective, the fraction of trade with India rep-

resents only 2.74 per cent of global trade of LAC region during 2016.

Among the LAC countries, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Peru,

Colombia, Dominic Republic, Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay are our

major trading partners as shown below:


Country-wise Total Trade - 2016-17: Top 10trading partners of LAC region


India’s trade with LAC countries during the last 10 years, the current trends and top ten commodities of export/import

(for the last 2 years) are given below:

(Values in million US$)

Year India’s exports % growth India’s import % growth Balance Total trade to LAC of exports from LAC of imports of trade

2007-08 5081.66 36.24 5368.62 0.53 -286.95 10450.28

2008-09 5513.04 8.49 8240.44 53.49 -2727.40 13753.48

2009-10 5614.40 1.84 9356.30 13.54 -3741.90 14970.70

2010-11 9324.48 66.08 13042.52 39.40 -3718.03 22367.00

2011-12 12276.85 31.66 16178.56 24.04 -3901.70 28455.41

2012-13 13518.03 10.11 27497.09 69.96 -13979.07 41015.12

2013 -14 10791.60 -20.17 28128.07 2.29 -17336.47 38919.68

2014-15 11528.43 6.83 26951.76 -4.18 -15423.33 38480.19

2015-16 7530.85 -34.68 17691.79 -34.36 -10160.94 25222.63

2016-17 7230.97 -3.98 17290.63 -2.27 -10059.67 24521.60

(Source: DGCI&S, Kolkata)

(Values in million US$)

Exp. Imp. Total Trade Bal. Exp. Imp. Total Trade Bal. Exp. Imp. Trade Trade

2899.16 6263.11 9162.27 -3363.96 3455.93 8675.62 12131.55 -5219.68 19.20 38.52

(Source: DGCI&S, Kolkata)

Current trends – April-August, 2017

2016-17 2017-18(P) % Growth

S.N. Commodity 2015-16 2016-17 % Growth % Share 2016-17

1 Motor Vehicle/ Cars 691.67 852.96 23.32 11.80

2 Drug Formulations, Biologicals 652.32 605.55 -7.17 8.37

3 Agro Chemicals 390.48 493.19 26.3 6.82

4 Manmade Yarn, Fabrics, Madeups 375 481.3 28.35 6.66

5 Two And Three Wheelers 433.12 351.73 -18.79 4.86

6 Iron And Steel 241.56 299.98 24.19 4.15

7 Auto Components/Parts 280.78 264.3 -5.87 3.66

8 Bulk Drugs, Drug Intermediates 234.12 236.83 1.16 3.28

9 Cotton Yarn 217.44 231.8 6.6 3.21

10 Dyes 195.94 198.43 1.27 2.74

Sum of top 10 Commodities 3712.43 4016.07 8.18 55.54

Sum of all Commodities 7530.69 7230.81 -3.98 100.00Source : DGCI&S Kolkata

Top ten commodities of India’s exports to LAC 2015-16 & 2016-17(Values in million US$)


India’s investments in LAC are concentrated in natural resource sec-

tors, pharmaceuticals, automobile parts, mining, hydrocarbons and

IT/ITES. While Indian investment in LAC has increased gradually over

the years, LAC investment in India is still low. As our economies com-

plement each other, efforts are underway to fully utilize the opportunities

that exist between us.

Focus: LAC Programme

With the objective to further deepen India’s trade relations with LAC

region, an integrated programme “Focus LAC” was launched in Novem-

ber, 1997 initially for a period of 5 years. This has been extended from

time to time. It was last extended upto March, 2019. The programme

aims at sensitizing the organizations viz. Export Promotion Councils,

Chambers of Commerce & Industry, EXIM Bank, ECGC, etc. involved

in trade promotion efforts, granting various incentives to Indian ex-

porters and launching of export promotion measures, focusing on the

Latin American region with added emphasis on major trading partners

of the region, focusing on the major product groups for enhancing

India’s exports to the Latin American region which include Textiles in-

cluding ready-made garments, carpets and handicrafts, Engineering

products and Computer Software, Chemical products including

drugs/pharmaceuticals.

Under this programme, incentives and export promotion measures

have been designed. The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) of 2015-2020 gives

special focus to the LAC region as part of our long term strategy to di-

versify our trade basket.

Institutional Mechanisms

India has 12 institutional mechanisms with LAC countries to review

trade and investment linkages at the bilateral level. Bilateral Joint Eco-

nomic Commission meetings with Brazil and Venezuela are held at Ex-

ternal Affairs Minister level. The list of the Institutional Mechanisms

between India and countries of LAC Region is as under:-

� Indo-Argentine Joint Commission

� Indo-Argentine Joint Trade Committee

� Indo-Mexican Joint Commission

� Indo-Brazilian Commercial Council

� Indo-Cuban Joint Commission

� Indo-Cuban Trade Revival Committee

� Indo-Suriname Joint Commission

� Indo-Guyana Joint Commission

� Indo-Venezuela Joint Commission

� Indo- Trinidad Joint Commission

� India- Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM)

� India- Ecuador Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO)

� India-Colombia Joint Business Development Cooperation Commit-

tee (JBCDC)

Commercial Staff in the Indian Missions

There are 13 full-fledged Indian Missions (excluding Mexico) and

one Consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil in LAC region. Department of Com-

merce had sanctioned commercial posts Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina,

Chile, Colombia, Peru, Panama and Costa Rica to exclusively manage

trade related matters and assist Indian exporters and importers interested

in the region. These posts are in addition to the existing 9 posts of Mar-

keting Assistant in our LAC region.

Sponsoring of Trade Delegations/Organising Seminars/Confer-

ences/Trade Fairs/Exhibitions

As part of the trade promotional activities, a number of events were or-

ganized in the LAC region with the help of Apex bodies and Industry Cham-

bers. Some of these events include FIEE BRAZIL 2017, IPHEX: Peru,

FIHAV, Cuba, Hospitalar, Brazil, FEIPLASTIC, Brazil, Apparel Sourcing

Show, Guatemala and Buyer Seller Meets in Chile, Ecuador and Peru.

Engagement with LAC Region-Institutional Mechanisms

India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM): This mech-

anism between India and Brazil serves as a forum to discuss and resolve

all trade and investment related issues. As agreed during the 4th meeting

of India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM) held on 30th Sep-

tember, 2016 in Brasilia, Brazil, both sides have finalized the Social Se-

curity Agreement and the agreement will be soon signed and

implemented. Other issues relating to collaboration in areas such as auto,

food processing, leather and civil aviation are also being taken up.

India-Ecuador Joint Economic & Trade Committee (JETCO):

Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Eco-

nomic Cooperation between India and Ecuador, signed in Quito, on the

19 of April 2013, India-Ecuador have established a Joint Economic &

S.N. Commodity 2015-16 2016-17 % Growth % Share 2016-17

1 Petroleum: Crude 7771.78 7226.66 -7.01 41.80

2 Vegetable Oils 2920.55 2846.65 -2.53 16.46

3 Gold 1778.26 1634.19 -8.1 9.45

4 Bulk Minerals And Ores 2176.90 1541.63 -29.18 8.92

5 Sugar 604.71 1015.38 67.91 5.87

6 Ship, Boat And Floating Structures 126.44 435.7 244.59 2.52

7 Iron And Steel 335.9 278.36 -17.13 1.61

8 Other Wood And Wood Products 256.16 267.87 4.57 1.55

9 Petroleum Products 112.95 230.48 104.05 1.33

10 Coal, Coke and Briquittes Etc 45.65 198.9 335.75 1.15

Sum of top 10 Commodities 16129.3 15675.82 -2.81 90.66

Sum of all Commodities 17691.74 17290.59 -2.27 100Source : DGCI&S Kolkata

Top ten commodities of India's imports from LAC 2015-16 & 2016-17(Values in million US$)


Trade Committee (JETCO) on 9th October, 2015 with the objective to

promote trade, economic and technical cooperation on the basis of mu-

tual advantage. The first meeting of JETCO was held on 17th May, 2017

in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Both sides held discussions on a range of trade

related issues and also agreed to explore the possibility of entering into

a preferential trade agreement.

India Colombia Joint Committee of Business Development

Cooperation (JCBDC):- India and Colombia signed an MOU on 30th

Business Meeting organized by FICCI and ProEcuador in Guyaquil, Ecuador

Commerce Secretary addressing the business gathering in Colombia

April 2010 which constituted the Joint Committee of Business Devel-

opment Cooperation (JCBDC) to be led by the Commerce Secretary on

the Indian side and the Vice Minister for Entrepreneurial Development

on the Colombian side. So far, three meeting of JCBDC have been held.

The third meeting was held in Bogota, Colombia on 19th May, 2017.

During this meeting both sides held discussions on bilateral trade and

investments issues and areas of cooperation to enhance bilateral trade.

Apart from that both sides also agreed to explore the possibility to enter

into preferential trade agreement.

Visits

Inauguration of the India Pavilion in FIHAV 2017, Havana, Cuba

Visit of Hon’ble CIM to Cuba and Panama: A delegation led by

Hon’ble Commerce and Industry Minister (CIM) visited Cuba and from

28 October- 2nd November, 2017. During his visit, he held several bi-

lateral meetings with his counterparts in Cuba and Panama. He also held

separate bilateral meetings with his counterpart Trade Ministers of Haiti

and Barbados in Cuba with whom he discussed the possibilities of bilat-

eral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. CIM also inaugurated the

Indian Pavilion at FIHAV 2017 on 30th October 2017, accompanied by

the Cuban Energy Minister and First Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and

Investment, Antonio Carricarte Corona. Apart from sectoral meetings,

the FIEO business delegation held B2B meetings in Cuba and Panama

wherein CIM addressed the business gathering.

Separate MoUs for cooperation in various fields were signed with

Cuba, Barbados, Guyana and Panama between Federation of Indian

Export Organizations (FIEO) and the respective Chambers of these

countries.

Hon’ble CIM with Juan Carlos Varela, President, Panama

Hon’ble CIM with Dr. Pierre Marie Du Mény, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Haiti

Dr. Pierre Marie Du Mény, current Minister of Commerce and In-

dustry of the Republic of Haiti, is a trained doctor, graduated from

Haiti’s State University.

Focus: LAC Programme

With the objective to further deepen India’s trade relations with LAC

region, an integrated programme “Focus LAC” was launched in Novem-

ber, 1997 initially for a period of 5 years. This has been extended from

time to time. It was last extended upto March, 2019. The programme

aims at sensitizing the organizations viz. Export Promotion Councils,

Chambers of Commerce & Industry, EXIM Bank, ECGC, etc. involved

in trade promotion efforts, granting various incentives to Indian ex-

porters and launching of export promotion measures, focusing on the

Latin American region with added emphasis on major trading partners

of the region, focusing on the major product groups for enhancing

India’s exports to the Latin American region which include Textiles in-


cluding ready-made garments, carpets and handicrafts, Engineering

products and Computer Software, Chemical products including

drugs/pharmaceuticals.

Under this programme, incentives and export promotion measures

have been designed. The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) of 2015-2020 gives

special focus to the LAC region as part of our long term strategy to di-

versify our trade basket.

INDIA- MERCOSUR PTA

India signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with the four

original members of MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and

Uruguay) on 25th January, 2004 with 5 annexes which came into opera-

tion from 1st June, 2009. In the existing PTA, India offered Margin of

Preference (MoP) on 450 tariff lines and MERCOSUR offered MoP on

452 tariff lines. The existing India-MERCOSUR PTA is being expanded

as substantial scope exists for India and MERCOSUR to explore com-

plementarities and benefit from increased bilateral trade.

Expansion of India-Chile PTA

Exchange of Agreement of the Expanded India-Chile PTA

As a follow up to the Framework Agreement signed on January

20, 2005, India-Chile PTA was signed on March 8, 2006 which came

into effect from 17th August, 2007 in Chile and in India on 11.09.2007.

Under the PTA, Indian and Chile offered Margin of Preference (MoP)

on 178 and 296 tariff lines at 8-digit level respectively. The existing

India-Chile PTA has been expanded. The Agreement on Expansion

of India-Chile PTA was signed in New Delhi on 6.9.2016 and came

into force with effect from 16.5.2017.

Engagement with Pacific Alliance

Pacific Alliance, formed in the year 2013, is an important and

emerging trade block consisting of Mexico, Colombia, Peru and

Chile. Pacific Alliance had accorded “Observer Status” to India in

February, 2014. As Observer Member of the Pacific Alliance India

participated in the Ministerial Meeting of Observer States of Pacific

Alliance held on 2nd July, 2015 in Paracas, Peru where India showed

its interest to engage with Pacific Alliance by opening a dialogue in

the areas of Science & Technology, Education, Infrastructure, Envi-

ronment and SMEs. The last Ministerial Meeting of the Pacific Al-

liance was held at Cali, Colombia during June 26-30, 2017. Our

Ambassador in Bogota, Colombia participated in the meeting.

On-going initiatives

India Peru Trade Agreement: A Joint Study Group (JSG) be-

tween India and Peru constituted to explore the possibility for enter-

ing into a trade agreement was signed by both sides on 20th October,

2016. After getting approval from Cabinet on 18th January, 2017, ne-

gotiations for concluding the agreement with Peru on trade in goods,

services and investment were commenced. The Terms of Reference

(TORs) for the Trade Agreement were finalized on 8th March, 2017.

The 1st round of negotiations was held during 8-11th August, 2017

in New Delhi.

Expansion of India-MERCOSUR PTA:- The existing PTA

signed on January 25, 2004 and came into effect from 1st June, 2009 is

being expanded as substantial scope exists for India and MERCOSUR

to explore complementarities and benefit from increased bilateral trade.

India-Ecuador Trade Agreement: - As a follow up of first meet-

ing of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) co-chaired

by Commerce Secretary held in Ecuador on 17th May, 2017, both sides

agreed to explore the possibility for entering into a Preferential Trade

Agreement through a Joint Study.

India-Colombia Trade Agreement: - During the 3rd meeting of

India Colombia Joint Committee on Business Development Cooperation

held in Bogota, Colombia on 19th May, 2017, both sides agreed to ex-

plore the potential framework to be adopted for a trade agreement. In a

meeting held between Hon’ble CIM and a delegation led by Colombian

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism on 8th November, 2017,

both sides have decided to explore the possibility of a PTA in Goods

and Services through a Joint Study.

Strategy for LAC:- In order to enhance trade and investment in

LAC region, Research of Information System (RIS) has been assigned a

study with a financial assistance of Rs.20.00 lakhs under MAI Scheme

of the Department .

Lines of Credit

EXIM Bank extends Lines of Credit (LOCs) to overseas financial

institutions, regional developments, banks, sovereign governments and

other entities overseas to enable buyers in those countries to import

goods and services from India on deferred credit terms. This financing

mechanism provides a safe mode of non-recourse financing option to

Indian exporters especially to SMEs and serves as an effective market

entry tool.

As per the EXIM Bank, there are twenty-one operative lines of credit

to the banks/Governments in the LAC region during 2016-17.

ECGC Cover

The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) un-

dertakes periodically a comprehensive review of the grading of the

countries based on the methodology of risk scoring. As per ECGC

Country Risk and Cover Policy on LAC region (reviewed as on

30.9.2017) seventeen (17) Latin American countries have been placed

in low risk categories of ‘A1’ and ‘A2’. Eighteen (18) of LAC coun-

tries have been placed in moderate risk categories of ‘B1’ and ‘B2’.

Two (2) countries of LAC countries have been placed in high risk cat-

egory of ‘C1’. Only Venezuela has been placed in very high-risk cat-

egory of ‘D’. Details of cover are available at the website of ECGC.

VII. Trade with Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Region

Since Independence, India has had cordial and friendly trade rela-

tions with countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Region, consisting of

Eastern, Western, Central, and Southern Africa. India’s trade with SSA

Region since 2012-2013 is given in the table below.


Total bilateral trade with countries in SSA Region during 2017-18

(Apr-Nov) was US$ 34,429.54 million with exports amounting to US$

12,902.96 million and imports at US$ 21,526.58 million.

Bilateral trade with West African countries was US$ 15,328.27 million

during 2017-18 (Apr-Nov.) as compared to US$ 12008.45 million during

2016-17 (Apr-Nov). Rice (other than Basmoti), Drug formulations, Bi-

ologicals, Cotton fabrics, Madeups etc., Motor vehicle/cars, petroleum

products, Industrial Machinery for dairy etc, two and three wheelers,

Manmade yarn, Fabrics, Madeups, Ship, Boat and Floating Struct, were

the major items of export during

2017-18 (Apr-Nov). Petroleum: Crude, Gold, Petroleum products,

Cashew, Inorganic Chemicals, Cotton raw including waste, Bulk minerals

and ores, other wood and wood products, Iron and steel, Aluminium,

Products of Aluminium were the major items of import during 2017-

18 (Apr-Nov).

Bilateral trade with countries in Southern Africa was US$ 13319.32

million during 2017-18 (Apr-Nov) as compared to US$ 9827.72 million

during 2016-17 (Apr-Nov). Petroleum products, Motor vehicle/cars,

Drug formulations, Biologicals, Pearl, Precious, Semiprecious stones,

Readymade cotton including accessories, Auto components/parts,

Bulk drugs, Drug intermediates, Industrial Machinery for dairy etc., Prod-

ucts of iron and steel, Rice (other than basmoti) were the major items

of export during 2017-18 (Apr-Nov). Coal, Coke and briquettes etc., Pe-

troleum: crude, Pearl, Precious, Semiprecious stones, Copper and Prod-

ucts made of copper, Gold, Bulk minerals and ores, Pulp and waste

paper, Petroleum Products, Iron and Steel, Iron ore, IC Engines and

parts, Other precious and base metals were the major items of import

during 2017-18 (Apr-Nov).

Bilateral trade with countries in East Africa was US$ 4739.89 million

during 2017-18 (Apr-Nov) as compared to US$ 5,223.73 million during

2016-17 (Apr-Nov). Petroleum products, Drug formulations, Biologicals,

Rice (other than basmoti), Iron and steel, Sugar, Industrial Machinery

for dairy etc., Motor vehicle/cars, Paper, paper board and product, Two

and three wheelers were the major items of export during 2017-18 (Apr-

Nov). Gold, Pulses, Spices, Plywood and allied products, Pearl, Precious,

Semiprecious stones, Inorganic chemicals, other commodities, Copper

and products made of copper, Cashew were the major items of import

during 2017-18 (Apr-Nov).

Bilateral trade with countries in Central Africa was US$ 1042.07 mil-

lion during 2017-18 (Apr-Nov) as compared to US$ 955.54 million dur-

ing 2016-17 (Apr-Nov). Drug formulations, Biologicals, Two and three

wheelers, Industrial Machinery for dairy etc., Cotton fabrics, madeups

etc., Electric machinery and equipment, Products of Iron and steel, plas-

tic sheet, film, plts etc. were the major items of export during 2017-18

(Apr-Nov). Bulk minerals and ores, Bulk minerals and ores, Pearl, Pre-

cious, Semiprecious stones, Coffee, Cotton raw including waste, Cocoa

products, Other commodities, Pulses, Lead and products made of led,

Other wood and wood products were the major items of import during

2017-18 (Apr-Nov).

India and SACU (Southern African Customs Union) Preferential

Trade Agreement (PTA)

SACU consists of a group of 5 countries, namely, Botswana,

Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa. India and SACU (South-

ern African Customs Union) are negotiating for a Preferential Trade

Agreement (PTA). Till now, five rounds of negotiations have been held

for negotiating the PTA.

The following two Working Groups have been constituted for

negotiating the PTA:-

a. Working Group on Market Access comprising of two subgroups,

namely:

- Sub Group I responsible for market access for trade in

goods

- Sub Group II responsible for Rules of Origin and Customs

Procedures.

b. Working Group on Legal and Institutional Issues responsible for

the legal vetting of the text of the PTA, Dispute Settlement, SPS

and TBT measures and Safeguards and Trade Remedies.

Bilateral Cooperation

The Fourth Session of the India-Tanzania Joint Trade Committee

was held in New Delhi, India on 29th August, 2017. The Indian del-

egation was led by Hon’ble Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State

for Commerce & Industry (Independent charge), Government of India.

The Tanzanian delegation was led by Hon’ble Mr. Charles John Mwijage,

Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Government of the United

Republic of Tanzania. During the meeting, both sides stressed the need

to enhance the bilateral trade between the two countries and further

agreed to enhance Sectoral Cooperation on Gemstone and Jewellery, Oil

and Natural Gas, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mining,

Information, Communication and Technology, Railways, Maritime Co-

operation, Agriculture etc.

Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India

and the Government of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia has been signed

on 5th October, 2017 during the state visit of the. The Union Cabinet has

accorded ex -post facto approval to the Agreement on 1st November, 2017.

During the 12th CII-Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project

Year Export Import Total Trade Annual Growth Rate-Total Trade (%)

2012-2013 23,461 34,387 57,848 2.15

2013-2014 25,785 31,518 57,303 -0.94

2014-2015 27,130 34,569 61,699 7.67

2015-2016 20,431.83 28,774.49 49,206.30 -20.25

2016-2017 18,722.06 25,915.52 44,637.57 -9.28

Apr-Nov. 2016-2017 12,113.65 15,901.79 28,015.44 -

Apr-Nov. 2017-2018 12,902.96 21,526.58 34,429.54 22.89

Source: DGCI&S Kolkata

Top ten commodities of India's imports from LAC 2015-16 & 2016-17(Value in US$ Million)


Partnership held in New Delhi 9-10 March, 2017 Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda,

Hon’ble Prime Minister of Uganda had requested Hon’ble CIM to or-

ganise a similar conclave in Uganda. Hon’ble CIM had committed to

the request made by the Ugandan Prime Minister for organising the Con-

clave. Accordingly, the CII-Exim Bank Regional Conclave on India and

East Africa “Partners in Development” is being organized in Kampala,

Uganda in 20th -21st November, 2017 at Kampala, Uganda.

On 2.7.2009 Government of India decided to formally put on hold

India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agree-

ment (CECPA) negotiations until Mauritius agreed to sign the India-Mauri-

tius Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC). DTAC has been

signed on 10th May, 2016. Thereafter an Indian delegation visited Mauritius

in September, 2016 with the objective to have an exchange of views with

Mauritian Authorities and consider taking forward India-Mauritius Compre-

hensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement (CECPA). The 2nd

Meeting of the India-Mauritius CECPA was held on 27-28th September,

2017 in New Delhi to finalise the Joint Study Group (JSG) Report. 3rd

Meeting on India-Mauritius CECPA is scheduled to be held on 22-24th Jan-

uary, 2018 at Port Louis, Mauritius.

VIII. TRADE WITH WEST ASIA & NORTH AFRICA (WANA)

Region

The West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region comprises of 19

countries. These are:

� Six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait,

Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates),

� Six West Asian countries (Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen and

Syria) and

� Seven North African countries (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco,

Sudan, Tunisia and South Sudan).

India’s total trade with WANA countries during 2016-17 was US$

124.34 billion (18.83% of India’s total trade with the World) as compared

to US$ 123.92 billion in 2015-16 (19.26% of India’s total trade with the

World). While India’s total exports to WANA countries in 2016-17 were

US$ 51.68 billion and India’s imports were US$ 72.67 billion during the

same period i.e. India is in a trade deficit vis-a-vis WANA countries.

India’s share of exports to WANA countries as a percentage of India’s

total exports to the world was of the order of 18.73% in 2016-17. WANA

region’s share in India’s total imports from the World accounted for

18.91% in 2016-17. Our exports to WANA countries increased by 0.59%,

and our imports increased by 0.17% during 2016-17.

During the period from April-August 2017-18 (P) India’s total trade

with the WANA Region registered a growth of 7.78% over the corre-

sponding period April-August 2016-17. Exports decreased by 1.89%

while imports increased by 15.07% for the same period.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks first among the destinations for

India’s exports in the WANA region and among the GCC countries. The

other major destinations in the WANA region include Saudi Arabia, Israel,

Egypt and Oman.

India’s top-10 Commodities of Export to WANA Region

during 2016-17

i) West Asia- GCC Region: India’s Top-10 export commodities to

this Region with share of consists of Gold (14.24), Petroleum

Products (13.45%), Gold and Other Precious Metal Jewellery

(12.93%), Pearl, Precious, Semiprecious Stones (5.45%), RMG

Manmade Fibres (4.80%), Rice-Basmati (3.50%), Ship, Boat and

Floating Structure (3.32%), RMG Cotton Including Accessories

(3.19%), Products of Iron and Steel (2.97%), RMG of Other

Textile Material (2.71%).

During 2016-17, Exports of Petroleum Products (-11.72%),

Rice -Basmati (-12.23%), RMG Cotton Including Accessories

(8.67%) have registered negative growth.

ii) Other West Asia Region: India’s Top-10 export commodities to

this Region with share of consists of Petroleum Products

(16.80%), Rice -Basmati (13.94%), Pearl, Precious, Semiprecious

Stones (12.83%), Drug Formulations, Biologicals (3.13%), Buf-

falo Meat (2.53%), Bulk Drugs, Drug Intermediates (2.50%),

Manmade Yarn, Fabrics, Made-ups (2.35%), Rice (other than

basmati) (2.30), Residual Chemical and Allied Products (2.10%),

Products of Iron and Steel (1.86%).

During 2016-17, Exports of Rice-Basmati (-0.17%), Pearl, Pre-

cious, Semiprecious Stones (-0.53%), Buffalo Meat (-10.25%)

Bulk Drugs, Drug Intermediates (-30.02%), Products of Iron

and Steel (-37.03%) have registered negative growth.

iii) North Africa Region: India’s Top-10 export commodities to this

Region with share of consists of Buffalo Meat (9.30%), Motor

Vehicle/Cars (7.80%), Manmade Yarn, Fabrics, Made-ups

(5.05%), Drug Formulations, Biologicals (4.22%), Industrial.

Machinery for Dairy Etc. (4.12%), Cotton Yarn (3.86%), Plastic

Raw Materials (3.76%), Sugar (3.50%), Bulk Drugs, Drug Inter-

mediates (3.38%), Electric Machinery and Equipment (3.27%).

During 2016-17, Exports of Buffalo Meat (-13.29%), Motor Ve-

hicle/Cars (-6.41%), Manmade Yarn, Fabrics, Made-ups (-

6.13%), Drug Formulations, Biologicals (-9.30%), Industrial.

Machinery for Dairy Etc. (-0.17%), Cotton Yarn (-15.68%),

Sugar (-10.10%), Bulk Drugs, Drug Intermediates (-10.81%)

have registered negative growth.

India’s Top-5 Potential Commodities for Middle East

Countries

i) GCC Countries: India’s Top-5 potential commodities for this

region consists of: Petroleum Products, Jems and Jewellery

items (Articles of jewellery, Gold, Diamond etc.), Engineering

Products (Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport

equipment, Electric conductors, Tugs and Pusher Craft etc.),

Pharmaceutical Products (Medicaments consisting of mixed or

unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes),

and Rice (Semi-milled or wholly milled rice).

ii) Other Middle East Countries: India’s Top-5 potential commodi-

ties for this region consists of: Petroleum Products, Jems and

Jewellery items (Articles of jewellery, Gold, Diamonds, worked,

but not mounted or set etc.), Pharmaceutical Products (Medica-

ments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic

or prophylactic purposes), and Rice (Semi-milled or wholly

milled rice), Cane or Beet Sugar, and Engineering Products (Ve-

hicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment, Parts

and accessories, for tractors, motor vehicles etc.)

India’s top-10 Commodities of Import from WANA Region

during 2016-17

i) West Asia- GCC Region: India’s Top-10 import commodities

from this region with share of consists of Petroleum: Crude

(45.78%), Petroleum Product (18.78%), Pearl, Precious, Semi-

precious Stones (10.23%), Gold (5.91%), Organic Chemicals

(4.65%), Plastic Raw Materials (3.50%), Aluminum, Products of

Aluminum (1.74%), Fertilizers Manufactured (1.64%), Copper

and Products Made of Copper (1.18%), Bulk Minerals and Ores

(0.70%).

During 2015-16, imports of Petroleum Products (-10.48%),

Gold (-3.95%), Plastic Raw Materials (-0.42%), Fertilizers Man-

ufactured (-20.44%), Copper and Products Made of Copper (-

10.50 have registered negative growth.

ii) Other West Asia Region: India’s Top-10 import commodities

from this region with share of consists of Petroleum: Crude

(81.89%), Pearl, Precious, Semiprecious Stones (4.44%), Fertil-

izers Manufactured (2.70%), Inorganic Chemicals (2.27%), Fer-

tilizers Crude (1.19%), Dye Intermediates (1.14%), Organic

Chemicals (0.96%), Fresh Fruits (0.83%), Telecom Instruments

(0.49%), Plastic Raw Materials (0.46%).


US$Millions

Bilateral trade between India and countries of WANA Region during FY 2015-2016 and FY 2016-17

S. No.Country

2015-2016

2016-2017

% Growth

Exports

Imports

Total Trade

Trd.Bal.

Exports

ImportsTotal Trade

Trd.Bal.

Exports

Imports

1ALGERIA

787.8

299.4

1087.2

488.4

841.9

605.1

1447.0

236.8

6.9

102.1

2BAHARAIN

654.1

356.9

1011.0

297.2

471.7

290.7

762.4

181.0

-27.9

-18.6

3EGYPT

2337.7

1221.2

3558.9

1116.5

2067.4

1163.8

3231.1

903.6

-11.6

-4.7

4IRAQ

1004.4

10837.6

11842.0

-9833.2

1111.5

11707.9

12819.4

-10596.5

10.7

8.0

5ISRAEL

2821.2

2095.3

4916.6

725.9

3087.2

1961.1

5048.3

1126.1

9.4

-6.4

6JORDAN

499.8

853.1

1352.9

-353.4

522.4

828.2

1350.7

-305.8

4.5

-2.9

7KUWAIT

1247.5

4969.7

6217.2

-3722.2

1498.0

4462.3

5960.3

-2964.3

20.1

-10.2

8LEBANON

239.6

27.6

267.2

211.9

210.7

30.2

240.9

180.4

-12.1

9.4

9LIBYA

122.6

8.9

131.4

113.7

120.1

7.5

127.5

112.6

-2.1

-15.9

10MOROCCO

342.2

1077.6

1419.8

-735.4

373.9

792.9

1166.8

-419.0

9.3

-26.4

11OMAN

2190.8

1674.7

3865.5

516.1

2728.3

1290.5

4018.8

1437.8

24.5

-22.9

12QATAR

902.0

9022.2

9924.2

-8120.1

784.6

7646.2

8430.8

-6861.7

-13.0

-15.3

13SAUDI ARAB

6394.5

20321.3

26715.8

-13926.9

5110.3

19972.4

25082.7

-14862.1

-20.1

-1.7

14SUDAN

782.4

149.2

931.6

633.2

748.7

245.2

993.9

503.6

-4.3

64.3

15SOUTH SUDAN

0.0

0.0

3.2

0.2

3.4

3.1

16SYRIA

136.8

40.5

177.4

96.3

121.7

32.3

154.0

89.5

-11.0

-20.5

17TUNISIA

222.4

136.5

358.9

85.9

255.4

114.8

370.2

140.6

14.9

-15.9

18UAE

30290.0

19445.7

49735.7

10844.3

31175.5

21509.8

52685.3

9665.7

2.9

10.6

19YEM

EN

399.8

6.9

406.7

392.9

446.1

4.8

450.9

441.3

11.6

-30.1

Total of WANA

51375.5

72544.3

123919.8

-21168.8

51678.5

72665.9

124344.3

-20987.4

0.6

0.2


During 2016-17, imports of Fertilizers Manufactured (-17.95%),

Inorganic Chemicals (-14.52%), Fertilizers Crude (-28.08%),

Dye Intermediates (-13.28%), Telecom Instruments (-20.96%),

Plastic Raw Materials (-35.76%) have registered negative

growth.

iii) North Africa Region: India’s Top-10 import commodities from

this region with share of consists of Petroleum: Crude

(44.42%), Inorganic Chemicals (22.47%), Fertilizers Crude

(10.18%), Fertilizers Manufactured (3.60%), Petroleum Products

(2.97%), Pulses (2.45%), Cotton Raw Including. Waste (2.05%),

Other Commodities (1.78%), Sesame Seeds (1.28%), Fresh

Fruits (1.05%).

During 2016-17, imports of Inorganic Chemicals (-29.18%),

Fertilizers Crude (-24.08%), Petroleum Products (-47.25%),

Other Commodities (-19.29 have registered negative growth.

Institutional Arrangements

Issues pertaining to trade and economic cooperation are regu-

larly reviewed in Bi-laterals, Joint Commission Meetings or Joint

Trade & Economic Committee Meetings.

Apex trade bodies like CII, FICCI, FIEO, ASSOCHAM etc.

sponsor business delegations to facilitate trade with India through

the mechanism of Joint Business Council (JBC)

The Joint Commissions being steered by Department of Com-

merce are given below:

Sl. No. Name of country Committee Chaired by Date of last Meeting Next Meeting

1. Algeria Joint Commission C&IM 25-26 May 2015, To be scheduled Algiers

2. Syria Joint Commission C&IM 10th June 2010, To be scheduledDamascus

3. Israel Joint Trade & C&IM 13-14, Jan., 2004, Not being Economic Tev Aviv scheduled in view Committee of FTA negotiations

with Israel

4. Oman Joint Commission C&IM 28-29, Oct, 2014, To be Scheduled New Delhi

5. Morocco Joint Commission C&IM 25-26, May, 2017, -Rabat

6. Jordan Trade and C&IM 04-05, July, 2017, -Economic Joint New DelhiCommittee

List of JCM/JTECs Chaired by C&IM

Status of FTAs:

Two FTAs are under negotiations in WANA Division:

a) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Israel:

The eighth round of negotiations between India and Israel was

held in Israel from 24th to 26th November, 2013. Negotiations also

took place on trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Customs Procedure,

and Movement of Natural Persons. The offers exchanged by both

sides earlier in Sept 2013 in Goods and Services were discussed. The

benefit of the FTA is predominately in favour of Israel in the areas

of Goods. Therefore, to have a balanced FTA, India is looking to

obtain reasonable concessions in the field of Services from Israel.

b) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with GCC (Gulf Cooperation

Council) countries:

After obtaining the mandate from the Trade and Economic Re-

lations Committee (TERC) for negotiating an FTA with the GCC

India-Oman JCM

8th Session of India-Oman JCM is scheduled in 2018 at Muscat,

Oman. 8th Session is co-chaired by Hon’ble CIM. Some of the is-

sues likely to be discussed during the meeting are:

India’s total trade with Oman accounts for US$ 4,018.79 million

in FY 2016-17. India would be interested in diversifying the export

basket to Oman for this DOC has identified potential commodities

for enhancing trade with Oman

Customs Tariff on Indian products exported to Oman is high

especially in case of chemical and pharma products. India is keen to

cooperate in the field of oil & gas and mutual participation in build-

ing Strategic Oil Reserves. Request the Omani side to share infor-

mation on petro chemical projects which are in the stage of

conceptualization and are open for participation as joint venture.

(comprising of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and

UAE), negotiations commenced with GCC. Two rounds of negoti-

ations have been held so far in 2006 and 2008. Further rounds have

not been held in the last 9 years since GCC has deferred its negoti-

ations with all countries and economic groups and is reviewing its

negotiations with all countries and economic groups.

Initiatives:

World Expo 2020, Dubai

The proposal regarding India’s participation in the World Expo

2020, scheduled to be held from 20th October, 2020 to 10th April,

2021 in Dubai, UAE is under active consideration in the Depart-

ment. The proposal includes: -

� Constitution of a High Level Committee under the chairman-

ship of the Finance Minister Comprising States and various key

Ministries/Departments in order to ensure effective participa-

tion of India in the said World Expo 2020.

� Selection/finalisation of theme and sectors of focus for India’s

participation

� Finalisation on the scale of India’s participation and accordingly

the size of the India Pavilion to be ascertained

� Engaging States and other stakeholders for participation in the

Expo

� Approval of key exhibits, road map and monitoring of the event

� Designating a Special Secretary/Addl Secretary Level Officer

as Commissioner General of India

� Funding for India’s participation


IX. INTERNATIONAL TRADE ORGANIZATIONS

WTO Negotiations

World Trade Organization

India is one of the founding members of the World Trade Or-

ganization (WTO) and believes that the multilateral trading system,

with its principles of consensus, inclusivity and transparency, is best

suited to the interests of developing countries.

Doha Round of trade negotiations are underway in the WTO

since the year 2001. After several years of negotiations, it was only

at the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Bali in 2013 that

some outcomes were achieved on Agriculture, Development and

Trade Facilitation.

In line with its commitment to multilateralism, India has strongly

supported taking forward issues under the Doha Round of trade ne-

gotiations which began in 2001, in particular, the agreed ministerial

decisions emanating from the WTO Ministerial Conferences held in

Bali (2013) and Nairobi (2015). The Doha Development Agenda,

with its focus on development, was meant to address the concerns

of developing countries and designed to ensure greater integration

of these countries into the global trading system.

Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO

The Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO (‘MC11’) was

held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 10 to 13 December 2017. In

the run-up to the Conference, decisions were expected on a perma-

nent solution on the issue of public stockholding for food security

purposes and other agriculture issues. Some WTO member countries

were seeking outcomes on domestic regulations in services, disci-

plines on fisheries subsidies, E-commerce, Investment Facilitation

and Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises (MSMEs).

Permanent solution on public stockholding for food security

purposes

The Bali Ministerial Decision on public stockholding for food

security purposes sought to address the concerns of developing

countries by providing them with an interim mechanism (popularly

termed as a ‘peace clause’) in terms of which WTO Members would

exercise due restraint in raising disputes under the relevant provi-

sions of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture in respect of public

stockholding programmes for food security purposes even if coun-

tries exceeded their permissible subsidy limits. The Bali Ministerial

Decision also included a commitment to find a permanent solution

by 2017. Later, as a result of India’s efforts, the WTO’s General

Council (GC) adopted a decision on 27 November 2014 ensuring

that the interim mechanism would be available in perpetuity until a

permanent solution was agreed and adopted. The Ministerial Dec-

laration at the Nairobi Ministerial Conference in December 2015

took note of and welcomed the Bali and subsequent GC decisions.

In accordance with the obligation placed on member countries

by the Ministerial decisions at the Bali and Nairobi Ministerial Con-

ferences, India and the G-33, as the key proponents, sought a per-

manent solution at the Eleventh Ministerial Conference at Buenos

Aires. While the proponents were naturally seeking a permanent so-

lution that would be an improvement over the existing interim mech-

anism, others sought stronger safeguards. In the absence of

consensus, a permanent solution could not be achieved. India’s pub-

lic stockholding programmes, however, continue to be protected due

to the interim mechanism which is available in perpetuity.

Other Agriculture Issues

The Agriculture agenda of the ongoing WTO negotiations cov-

ers, inter alia, other issues such as agricultural subsidies, an agricul-

tural Special Safeguard Mechanism (allowing developing countries

to raise tariffs to guard against import surges and price falls), cus-

toms duties on agricultural products and agricultural export restric-

tions/prohibitions. Many developed countries are against agricultural

reform in these areas based on current WTO mandates and rules.

In recent years, there have been concerted efforts to subject devel-

oping countries with agricultural subsidies as low as USD 260 per

farmer per annum to similar reduction commitments as developed

countries with agricultural subsidies as high as USD 60000 per

farmer per annum.

India has been engaging actively in the WTO on the issue of

agricultural subsidies and had made a joint submission with China

to tackle the most trade-distorting form of agricultural support, re-

ferred to as AMS (Aggregate Measurement of Support) mainly used

by developed country members of the WTO. In contrast most de-

veloping country members have access only to a minimum entitle-

ment (‘de minimis’), which is a major asymmetry in the rules on

agricultural trade.

Special and Differential (S&D) treatment for developing coun-

tries is a very important part of the WTO’s mandate and the Doha

Development Agenda (DDA). Some countries are also seeking to

ensure that developing countries such as India, China, Brazil and In-

donesia are moved out of the coverage of provisions for special and

differential treatment which, inter alia, allow developing countries

to enjoy concessions in agricultural subsidies and enable them to

provide subsidies on inputs in agriculture such as power, irrigation

and fertilizers. The developed countries say that such treatment

should be confined only to LDCs. In the run up to MC11 there were

stronger and more concerted efforts in this direction.

In the absence of consensus on a work programme proposed

on agriculture for the next two years, there was no outcome on agri-

culture at MC11.

Fisheries Subsidies

The Doha Ministerial Declaration of November 2001 mandates

negotiations aimed at clarifying and improving the WTO disciplines

on fisheries subsidies. The starting point for these negotiations was

primarily to curtail subsidies to the fisheries sector which lead to

degradation of the marine fishery resources, as over the years the

marine fisheries stock has depleted as a result of unchecked support

granted by major fishing nations to their fishing fleets.

The proposals in the WTO on this issue call for further discus-

sions on fisheries subsidies disciplines aimed at achieving the UN

Sustainable Development Goal Target 14.6 by 2020, which calls for

prohibiting certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to

overcapacity and overfishing, eliminating subsidies that contribute

to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and refraining

from introducing new subsidies by 2020. Goal 14.6 also recognizes

that appropriate and effective special and differential (S&D) treat-

ment for developing country and least developed country members

should be an integral part of the WTO fisheries subsidies negotia-

tions. For a developing country like India where a large number of

artisanal, traditional and small resource poor fishermen depend on

fishing activity as a source of livelihood, appropriate special and dif-

ferential treatment provisions would need to be built in while fram-

ing disciplines.

At the Buenos Aires MC-11, India engaged constructively in the

Fisheries Subsidies negotiations where it supported developing com-

prehensively fisheries disciplines by 2019. This suggestion found

wide acceptance by member countries and emerged as an outcome

at the MC-11.

Discussion on Domestic Regulations

The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the

Decision on Domestic Regulation call upon WTO members to de-

velop necessary disciplines to ensure that measures relating to qual-


ification requirements and procedures, technical standards and li-

censing requirements and procedures do not constitute unnecessary

barriers to trade in services.

Discussions on development of disciplines on domestic regula-

tions have been ongoing in the WTO in the Working Party on Do-

mestic Regulations (WPDR) since 2016. About 10 proposals were

merged into a consolidated text which was tabled as a Ministerial

Document for discussions at MC11. India engaged constructively

on the text and suggested incorporating commercially meaningful

disciplines addressing the barriers faced by natural persons supplying

services, including qualification requirements & procedures and de-

velopment issues consistent with the GATS mandate. As a way for-

ward, India proposed a well-structured post MC11 Work Programme

on services incorporating some elements of the Indian proposal for

Trade Facilitation in Services, including those related to Mode 4, as

well as DR disciplines as per the Chair’s Reports of 2009 and 2011.

As there was no consensus on these issues, no Ministerial Decision

or Work Programme was agreed to on Domestic Regulations at

MC11.

New Issues

E-commerce

At MC11 there was wide divergence of views on how to engage

on E-commerce. India and a number of developing countries were of

the view that the existing 1998 work programme on E-commerce

should continue, while others desired a fast-track approach by formal-

ising the dedicated discussion on the work programme under the Gen-

eral Council. In the end, MC11 broadly endorsed the Nairobi

Ministerial Decision on E-Commerce which seeks continuation of

work under the 1998 Work Programme (WT/L/274); to endeavour to

reinvigorate work; instruct the General Council to hold periodic re-

views in its sessions of July and December 2018 and July 2019 and re-

port to the next session of the Ministerial Conference. Members agreed

to maintain the current practice of not imposing customs duties on

electronic transmissions until the next session in 2019 along with con-

tinuation of the moratorium on TRIPS non-violation complaints.

Other Issues

Draft Ministerial decisions by proponents on new issues like In-

vestment Facilitation, MSMEs, gender and trade, which lacked a

mandate or consensus, were not taken forward.

However, as in the case of E-commerce and Domestic Regula-

tion in Services, the interested groups of proponent countries have

issued, respectively, Joint Statements proposing structured discus-

sions with the aim of developing a multilateral framework on invest-

ment facilitation and a comprehensive and strategic discussion on

MSMEs in the WTO.

While such groups have been formed by the proponents on var-

ious issues, they will have to first identify the linkages of some of

these issues with trade before bringing them into the WTO can even

be considered. Moreover, any decision to launch negotiations on

such issues multilaterally would need to be agreed by all Members,

as per the Nairobi Ministerial Declaration.

Ministerial Declaration

A few members did not support the acknowledgment or reiter-

ation of key underlying principles guiding the WTO and various

agreed mandates. As a result, Ministers could not arrive at an agreed

Ministerial Declaration at the end of the Conference.

However, even in the absence of a Ministerial Declaration, the

existing mandates and decisions would remain valid and be carried

forward. This ensures that work will go forward and the WTO would

continue to work on issues such as the permanent solution on public

stockholding for food security purposes, agricultural subsidies and

other issues.

The Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations at the WTO

commenced in 2001 and remains unfinished. It aims to achieve re-

forms in the international trading system through lowering of trade

barriers and revision in trade rules, keeping development at its cen-

tre. The Doha Development Agenda (DDA) covers about 20 areas

of trade including agriculture, market access for industrial products,

market access and regulations relating to services trade, trade-related

aspects of intellectual property rights, rules relating to anti-dumping

and subsidies and trade facilitation.

Other WTO issues

Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme for Least Devel-

oped Countries

India was the first developing country to extend Duty Free

Quota Free (DFQF)3 access to the Least Developed Countries

(LDCs) in the year 2008, thereby fulfilling a key element of the

WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration of December, 2005.

India’s DFQF scheme is called Duty Free Tariff Preferences (DFTP)

scheme.

In order to ensure effective utilisation of the Scheme and to pro-

vide optimum access to LDCs’ exports to India’s market, the Gov-

ernment of India has expanded the product coverage of the DFTP

Scheme from 1st April 2014, and also simplified the procedures re-

lated to Rules of Origin in March, 2015. As per Customs Tariff No-

tification No. 8/2014 dated 1st April, 2014, India provides duty free/

preferential market access on 98.2% of India’s total 5205 tariff lines

(at HS 6 digit level of classification). In fact, only 97 lines are in

India’s Exclusion list while 114 lines on margin of preference On

the rest of the lines duty free exports is allowed into India’s market.

Moreover, certain procedural modifications to the Rules of Ori-

gin of the DFTP Scheme were made vide customs non-tariff noti-

fication 29/2015-Cus(NT),dated 10th March, 2015.

On 27 July 2017, two least developed countries, Niger and

Guinea, were notified as beneficiaries to the DFTP Scheme4, bringing

the total number of beneficiaries to 34, namely, Afghanistan,

Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central

African Republic, Chad, the Comoros, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia,

Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,

Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar,

Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, the Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo,

Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen and Zambia.

DISPUTES

The following three disputes have been ongoing in the WTO

during 2017 -2018

DS436: United States – Countervailing Measures on Certain

Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products from India.

The United States had levied anti-subsidy duty (Countervailing

Duty) against India’s exports of Steel products sometime in 2000.

India challenged the exorbitant anti-subsidy duty as the basis and

the manner in which the duty was imposed was felt to be incompat-

ible with WTO law.

The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (“DSB”) ruled some issues

3 Note: Relevant information regarding India’s DFTP Scheme can be accessed at the link: http://commerce.gov.in/writereaddata/UploadedFile/

MOC_636434269763910839_international_tpp_DFTP.pdf

4 Vide customs notification no. 68/2017-dated 27th July, 2017


in favour of India which required the United States to take corrective

action. However, even after the time provided to comply with the

ruling in this dispute, India considers that the United States’ com-

pliance measure (which was to carry out legal proceedings to review

the exorbitant anti-subsidy duty, among other steps) still does not

conform with WTO Law. Importantly, the United States did not

amend the WTO incompatible provisions of its law which is of cen-

tral importance as per WTO law. Therefore, India initiated com-

pliance proceedings against the United States. Consultations were

held through Digital Video Conference (“DVC”) in the month of

July 2017.

DS430: India – Measures Concerning the Importation of Cer-

tain Agricultural Products.

The United States challenged India’s ban on imports of poultry

and poultry products originating from the US which had declared

occurrence of high/low-high pathogenic Avian Influenza strains.

The Panel and the Appellate Body of the DSB determined that

India’s ban was not compatible, since imports from Avian Influenza

free areas in the United States should be allowed as per WTO law.

India carried out its compliance, but the United States chose to

approach the DSB to pursue the matter further alleging that India’s

compliance fell short of WTO law. The United States did not seek

to assess the level of compliance, but instead requested the WTO

for retaliation for an amount of US$ 478 million for India’s pur-

ported non- compliance.

India then sought to constitute the Panel to determine the level

of compliance, since India’s stand is that after compliance has been

carried out, retaliation should be calculated only after verifying if

the compliance measure complies with WTO law. Despite sequenc-

ing issues in the WTO dispute settlement procedure, India has acted

to ensure that the proper process be adhered to as far as possible,

by ensuring that compliance is determined as soon as possible, and

therefore, to prevent unwarranted retaliatory measures.

Currently, India and the United States are defending their respec-

tive positions in the WTO, as both these proceedings are ongoing.

DS518: India – Certain Measures of Imports of Iron and Steel

Products

Japan sought to initiate a dispute with India on the safeguard

duty that was notified on certain steel products in March 2016. After

consultations in February 2017, Japan sought to invoke the WTO

dispute settlement mechanism in March 2017, citing that the proce-

dures followed by India in imposing the safeguard duty were not in

accordance with WTO law.

Currently, India is working on responding to the claims made by

Japan before the Panel stage of the WTO dispute settlement mech-

anism.

Trade Facilitation:

The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement has come into force

in February 2017 after 1/3rd Members Countries of WTO has

ratified it. India has already ratified the TFA in February 2016.

For domestic coordination and implementation of the TFA, a Na-

tional Committee on Trade facilitation was constituted in August

2016 under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary. NCTF is a

three tiered body – NCTF as the apex body, Steering Committee

Jointly Chaired by Secretary, Revenue and Secretary, Commerce at

the mid-level and ad-hoc Working Groups at the lower level. The

first meeting of the NCTF was held in October, 2016 and subse-

quently Steering Committee Meeting was held wherein it was de-

cided to form 4 Working Groups namely with the objectives of

Outreach, Legislative changes, Time Release study and Infrastruc-

ture up-gradation.

All these Working Groups have, since then, submitted their re-

ports and based on these and further inputs from industry and pri-

vate stakeholders, the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan

(NTFAP) has been unveiled by the Finance Minister on 20th July,

2017. The objective of the NFTAP is to ensure smooth implemen-

tation of its Category A and Category B commitments. The NTFAP

lists out 76 action points along with timelines and lead agency (ies)

with mapping to our policy objectives and the concerned TFA Arti-

cles. Our vision for conceptualising this Action Plan is to transform

the trade ecosystem by reducing the time and cost of doing business.

In fact, out of the 76 points in the Action Plan, 51 are TFA Plus

which goes beyond our commitments in WTO.

Other issues/initiatives

Standards and technical regulations

Internationally tariffs have been going down, the overall global

average import weighted tariff on industrial goods has gone down

to just around 4 per cent. With FTAs being negotiated among a large

number of countries, average global tariff rates will go down further,

reducing the role of tariffs in market access. At the same time the

use of technical regulations (mandatory standards) has grown world-

wide along with the growth of a variety of conformity assessment

procedures which have a vital impact on market access and global

trade.

There is synergetic relation of standards and technical regula-

tions with trade.

Standards and technical regulations are trade enhancing because

standards reduce information asymmetries, signal quality to con-

sumers and create a common language for potential trading partners,

thus reducing overall transactions costs. However, at the same time

the concerns over the impact of standards and technical regulations

as non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in global trade are also well-docu-

mented.

Mandating standards on products and putting in place a proper

eco-system related to technical regulations, standards, metrology,

conformity assessment and accreditation would help to prevent

flooding of the domestic market with unsafe imports, which ad-

versely affect consumers as well as domestic industry.

In the globalised marketplace following the creation of the

World Trade Organization, a key challenge facing developing coun-

tries is the lack of domestic capacity to overcome technical barriers

to trade and to comply with the requirements of agreements on san-

itary and phytosanitary conditions, which are now basic prerequisites

for market access, embedded in the global trading system. The WTO

Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and the Agreement

on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) are two important

agreements in this area.

For the Indian industry to survive and thrive, it has to adopt

global standards. The Ministries/regulators/state governments have

to also realize that their initiatives and schemes have to be built

around global standards in order for them to succeed in their objec-

tives. Moreover, by measuring up to standards and conformity as-

sessment procedures, exports can also be increased both in volume

as well as in value terms.

Understanding the implications of standards in international

trade is therefore very important from Central Government Min-

istries as well as State Governments’ perspective. Upgrading to in-

ternational standards, making standards mandatory, creating requisite

infrastructural facilities for testing, certification, trace back, packag-

ing and labelling as well as schemes for promoting adherence to in-

ternational standards can go a long way in meeting challenges of

large number of SPS and TBT measures.


Standards Conclave

The Department of Commerce, Government of India in col-

laboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Bureau of

Indian Standards (BIS) and National Accreditation Board for Cer-

tification Bodies (NABCB) and other knowledge partners organized

the 4th National Standards Conclave on May 1-2, 2017 in New

Delhi.The objective of the two-day Conclave was to bring aware-

ness among Industry, Ministries/Departments concerned, State

Governments, regulatory/standard setting and conformity assess-

ment bodies about the importance of “Standards” in the changing

scenario of global trade. It highlighted the growing regulatory

deficit in the country in the sectors that are otherwise tightly regu-

lated world over, like in industrial safety, public health etc. Gaining

experience from earlier national and regional conclaves, the time

was ripe this time for formulating a strategy for the country to ad-

dress the concern and vision for the regulatory deficit in the coun-

try, hence a draft Indian National Strategy (INSS) was also

discussed in the conclave.

Project for monitoring of draft SPS/TBT notifications

One of the recommendations of the standards conclave was

to improve preparedness to meet of importing countries regula-

tions. The SPS-TBT notifications of importing countries need to

be analysed from various aspects namely, assessment of whether

these are based on international standards; trade impact assess-

ment and whether less trade restrictive alternatives are available.

In this regard, the Department of Commerce has been success-

fully implementing a project for monitoring of SPS/TBT notifi-

cations of other countries through the Agricultural and

Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

(APEDA) for SPS since 2010 and Export Inspection Council of

India (EIC) for TBT since 2014. As a result, India has been able

to send its concerns and response effectively as can be seen from

the table below:

Year SPS Notifications SPS Notifications TBT Notifications TBT NotificationsIssued Relevant Where Responses Issued Where Responses

For India Sent by India Sent by India

Jan to Dec 2010 1029 14 - -

Jan to Dec 2011 746 144 - -

Jan to Dec 2012 898 99 - -

Jan to Dec 2013 1012 128 - -

Jan to Dec 2014 1182 85 2242 30

Jan to Dec 2015 1289 115 1990 30

Jan to Dec 2016 1051 80 2319 51

Promotion Council (SEPC), organized the third edition of the

Global Exhibition on Services (GES) from 17th – 20th April 2017

at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.

Over 5000 B2B meetings were conducted during GES-2017. As

many as 73 countries and 24 states participated at GES-2017. India

took the opportunity to highlight some of the fast emerging sectors

in services at this year’s edition of the mega event.

The focus sectors in the GES-2017 were Information Technol-

ogy and Telecom, Tourism & Hospitality, Media and Entertainment,

Healthcare, Logistics, Environmental Services, Facility Management,

Exhibition & Event Services, Professional Services, Education,

Banking & Financial Services, Skills, Next Gen Cities, Energy Serv-

ices, Space, Start Ups / SME in Services & Wellness and in addition

new areas like Retail & E-Commerce, Railways and Sports Services.

GES has emerged as a major platform to showcase, engage and

collaborate on a global scale to promote India’s services strength.

The fourth edition of the GES-2018 is scheduled to be held from

15th-18th May, 2018 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.

‘ADVANTAGE HEALTH CARE INDIA’ (AHCI)

After the successful launch of the inaugural edition in 2015, the

third edition of Advantage Health Care India 2017, an International

Summit on Medical Value Travel, was jointly organized by Depart-

ment of Commerce, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce

& Industry and Service Export Promotion Council from 12- 14 Oc-

tober, 2017 at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre, Ben-

galuru, Karnataka. The objective of this international summit was

to promote India as a Premier Global Healthcare Destination and

to enable streamlined medical services exports from India.

AHCI-2017 brought together stakeholders from 73 countries.

The Summit presented an opportunity to interact, network and col-

laborate through the hosted buyer’s program, the exhibition, the

conference along with regional forums as well as the visits to some

of the world class hospitals in Bengaluru. The exhibition had seen

participation from all major hospital chains in India. Government

of Karnataka participated as the Host state. The Summit also show-

cased the Medical devices and Electronics, Pharmaceutical compa-

nies, Pharma machinery and packaging, and associated infrastructure

– medical tourism facilitators, Hotels, Airlines, Tour and travel com-

panies.

‘HIGHER EDUCATION SUMMIT’ (HES)

Ministry of Commerce and Industry jointly with Federation of

Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Service Ex-

port Promotion Council organised the 12th FICCI Higher Educa-

tion Summit, a Global Conference, on November 10th-12th, 2016

at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The theme of the Summit “Educa-

India Standards Portal

India Standards Portal was also launched during the 4th Na-

tional Standards Conclave. The Standards Portal is an online re-

source to provide updated information on India's Quality

infrastructure comprising prevailing systems for standardization,

technical regulations, conformity assessment and support activities.

Information on this portal has been structured to facilitate easy ac-

cess to information both on the webpages of the portal and

through links, to the different organizations responsible for provid-

ing services in the relevant areas.

Global Exhibition on Services (GES)

With an objective to provide global platform for increasing trade

in Services, enhancing strategic cooperation and strengthening mul-

tilateral relationships between all stake holders to explore new busi-

ness avenues, the Department of Commerce in association with

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Services Export


tion for Tomorrow: Learn in India- Learn for the World”, aligned

with the idea to project India as the most favoured Education des-

tination in the world. The aim of organizing this mega event is to

project India as an education hub. The event format includes large

exhibition and conference along with industry roundtables and Re-

verse Buyer Seller Meets (RBSM).

In line with the government’s focus, summit deliberated on the

new education policy,vision for higher education in India that’s rel-

evant not just for India but the world and developing strategies to

promote India as a Global Education Hub. In addition to the Con-

ference there were about 180 exhibitors from top of the line Indian

and international universities/ higher education Institutions show-

casing the products and programs. HES-2016 brought together

stakeholders from more than 55 countries and about 1100 delegates

for the Summit.

The next edition i.e, Higher Education Summit 2017, is sched-

uled to be held from 9th -11th November, 2017 at India Expo Cen-

tre and Mart, Greater Noida.

International Business Summit: North East (India) CLMV

(ASEAN)

This conference was organised jointly Ministry of Commerce

and Industry, Govt. of India with International Chamber for Service

Industry (ICSI) and Service Export Promotion Council (SEPC) on

24th -25th March 2017 at Guwahati, Assam. The focus of the sum-

mit was “Higher Education and Herbal Health Sector” as follow-up

conference of the Mega Event “Competitive Advantage of North

East India”. Various representatives from Ministries, Cambodia,

Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) Embassies, North East Re-

gion India Education, Skills, Herbal Health and other related depart-

ments were present for the session.

International Conference: North East India and ASEAN

calling Media Entertainment Industry for Cinematic Tourism

A joint initiative of Department of Commerce, Ministry of

Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India and International Chamber

for Service Industry (ICSI). The conference was held on 30th June

2017 at Mumbai. The event created a platform for the entire Media

Entertainment Industry including Film Production Houses, Film

Makers, Radio, and TV- Ad Film Animation Industry, Events com-

panies to interact and explore the business opportunities with Heads

for NER(I) States with their Public Relations and Tourism Depart-

ments, NER(I) production houses, artistic, ASEAN representatives.

International Conference: Strengthening Aviation Network

Between North East Region (Indian) & BCLMV Countries:

Gateway to Services Exports

The Conference was organized by International Chamber for

Service Industry (ICSI) with strong support and initiative of the De-

partment of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt.

of India as well as the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of

Skill Development. The event was extremely well received by all sec-

tions of the Travel Industry with active participation from all sec-

tions – Domestic and International Airlines, Travel Companies,

Ground Handling companies, Aviation Training and Development

organizations as well as Freight and Logistics firms, airlines, repre-

sentatives of State Governments, Ambassadors, Diplomats and

other senior Aviation industry officials from airlines.

7th Annual International Summit Transforming India-Oppor-

tunities & Challenges for the Legal Profession

Indian Corporate Counsel Association (ICCA), a member of In-

House Counsel Worldwide (ICW) with support from Department

of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India,

organised the “7th Annual International Summit Transforming

India- Opportunities & Challenges for the Legal Profession” Sum-

mit on 5-6, October, 2017 at New Delhi.

The International Summit focused on opportunities and chal-

lenges which globalization of legal services is throwing up for Indian

Legal Sector. The conference also focused on the proposed regula-

tory frame work and its financing for foreign legal professionals and

law firms, commercial issues in the movement of professionals etc.

Trade Agreements: Updated Status on Services

India has signed Comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreements, in-

cluding Trade in Services, with the Governments of Singapore,

South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

in services and investment has been signed with the Association of

South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in September, 2014. It came

into effect from 1st July, 2015.

India has since joined the Regional Comprehensive Economic

Partnership (RCEP) plurilateral negotiations. The RCEP is a pro-

posed free trade agreement (FTA) which includes the 10 ASEAN

countries and its six FTA partners viz. Australia, China, India, Japan,

South Korea and New Zealand. The RCEP is the only mega-regional

FTA of which India is a part. India is also engaged in the bilateral

FTA negotiations including Trade in Services with Canada, Israel,

Thailand, the EU, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA),

Australia, New Zealand, etc.

India is also engaged in the bilateral FTA negotiations including

Trade in services with Sri Lanka, Canada, Peru, Thailand, Australia,

New Zealand, Israel, the European Union (EU) and the European

Free Trade Association (EFTA). India has restarted the CECPA ne-

gotiations, including Trade in Services, with Mauritius. Meeting of

the two sides were held for finalising the JFSG Report. The India-

Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) JFSG Report stands finalised

and the negotiations are due to start.

India is also engaged in bilateral trade dialogues with the US

under the India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF), with Australia under

the India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), with China

under the India-China Working-Group on Services and with Brazil

under the India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM).

Economic and Social Commission for Asia & the Pacific

(ESCAP)

India is one of the founding members of ESCAP, the regional

development arm of the United Nations, which serve as the main

economic and social development centre for the United Nations in

Asia and Pacific. With a membership of 62 Governments, 58 of

which are in the region, and a geographical scope that stretches from

Turkey in the west to the Pacific island nation of Kiribati in the east,

and from the Russian Federation in the north to New Zealand in the

south, ESCAP is the most comprehensive of the United Nations

five regional commissions. It is also the largest United Nations body

serving the Asia-Pacific region.

ESCAP seeks to overcome some of the region’s greatest chal-

lenges. It carries out work in the following areas of Macroeconomic

Policy and Development, Statistics, Sub regional activities for devel-

opment, Trade and Investment, Transport, Environment and sus-

tainable development, Information and Communications

Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction and Social Development

ESCAP focuses on issues that are most effectively addressed

through regional cooperation, including:

� Issues that all or a group of countries in the region face, for

which it is necessary to learn from each other;

� Issues that benefit from regional or multi-country involvement;

� Issues that are transboundary in nature, or that would benefit

from collaborative inter-country approaches;


� Issues that are of a sensitive or emerging nature and require fur-

ther advocacy and negotiation.

Annual Session of ESCAP

The Commission meets annually at the Ministerial level to dis-

cuss and decide on important issues pertaining to inclusive and sus-

tainable economic and social development in the region, to decide

on the recommendations of its subsidiary bodies and of the Exec-

utive Secretary, to review and endorse the proposed strategic frame-

work and programme of work, and to make any other decisions

required, in conformity with its terms of reference.

The 73rd Session of ESCAP was held in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 1st phase was held from 15-17 May 2017 and 2nd Phase was

held from 17-19 May, 2017. The theme topic for the Session was

“Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Energy”.

India’s contribution to ESCAP

The delivery of ESCAP’s programmes is supported by the re-

gional institution and the sub-regional offices. India has worked in

close cooperation with ESCAP during the year. India has also com-

mitted continued financial support to the following regional institu-

tions of ESCAP:

� Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT),

New Delhi, India:

� Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Com-

munication Technology for Development (APCICT), Incheon,

Republic of Korea:

� Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP), Chiba, Japan.

Sub Regional Office in India

A new dimension was added in India’s partnership with UN-

ESCAP by establishment of Sub-Regional Office (SRO) for South

and South West Asia in New Delhi with financial assistance of US$

1,54,000 provided by Govt. of India in December, 2011. Out of this

US$ 75000/- was a one-time grant and US$ 79000/- is recurring

grant per annum as India’s contribution for the office.

The main activities for SRO are to :

� implement the Commission’s agenda at the sub-regional level

by serving as a link between sub-region and Commission head-

quarters;

� promote and support specific sub-region priorities and pro-

grammes concentrating on the priority sectors of member

States within the sub-region;

� operate as sub-regional nodes for knowledge management and

networking;

� spearhead the delivery of technical assistance activities and act

as the Commission’s implementing arm in the sub-region;

� establish close working relations with United Nations country

terms with in the sub-regional and promote the coordination

of United Nations systems activities at the sub-regional level.

� build strong partnerships and network with other relevant actors

in the sub-region, including other sub-regional intergovernmen-

tal bodies, to promote sub-regional cooperation with a regional

framework.

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme: -

The Kimberley Process (KP is a joint government, industry and

civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds (rough

diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legiti-

mate government). Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)

is an UN mandated (UNGA Resolution 55/56 of 2000 and UNSC

Resolution 1459(2003)) international certification scheme. It re-

quires each participant to impose internal control over production

and trade of rough diamonds. Trading in rough diamonds with a

non-participant is not allowed. All exports of rough diamonds have

to be accompanies by a valid KP Certificate stating that diamonds

are conflict free.

India is one of the founding members of KPCS. KPCS cur-

rently has 54 participants, representing 81 countries with the Euro-

pean Union and its Member States counting as single participant.

All major diamond producing, trading and polishing centres are

members of KP. Civil Society and industry groups also actively par-

ticipate in the KP. Chairmanship of KP is rotated on annual basis.

The Vice Chair is selected at the annual “Plenary” meeting and be-

comes Chair automatically the following year. The KPCS Chair

oversees the implementation of the KPCS, the operations of the

Working Groups and Committees, and General Administration.

Australia is the Chair for the year 2017 and EU will be the Chair for

the year 2018. India was KP Chair in 2008. In 2018, India will take

over the Vice Chairmanship and will be the Chair in 2019. �


EXPORT PROMOTIONMECHANISM

The Department of Commerce has undertaken a number of export promotion measures and schemes to address the short term and long term issues faced by the trade and industry related to external sector. This chapter deals with the initiatives of this Department covering the Major Schemes, facilitation through Export Promotion

Councils (EPCs) and other major institutions


MAJOR SCHEMES

INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT

The Department is entrusted with formulating and implement-

ing the foreign trade policy and responsibilities relating to multilat-

eral and bilateral commercial relations, state trading, export

promotion measures, and development and regulation of certain ex-

port oriented industries and commodities. It endeavors to provide

transport/logistic support to India’s foreign trade through coordi-

nation and resolution of problems experienced by the trading com-

munity in carriage of goods by courier, sea, air, rail and road with

concerned Ministries & Departments. It seeks to encourage greater

containerization, computerization of cargo clearance and electronic

data interchange, warehousing, setting up of Inland Container De-

pots (ICDs), Container Freight Stations (CFSs) etc. so as to reduce

the time taken in delivery of cargo to its destination.

Department of Commerce is the nodal department for enabling

infrastructure development related to Inland Container Depots /

Container Freight Stations (ICDs/ CFSs/ AFSs) by Govt/Individ-

uals and coordinates resolution of inter departmental issues. The

Inter- Ministerial Committee (IMC), under the Chairmanship of

Special / Additional Secretary (Infrastructure Division), Department

of Commerce acts as a Single Window Clearance for the proposals

for setting up of Inland Container Depots / Container Freight Sta-

tions/Air Freight Stations (ICDs/CFSs/ AFSs).

So far 326 Letters of Intent (LoIs) have been issued out of

which 236 projects (67-ICDs and 169-CFSs) are functional, 54 proj-

ects (23-ICDs, 29-CFSs and 02-AFSs) are under implementation

stage. During the period from 17-11-2016 to13-11-2017, four IMC

meetings were held in which 07 proposals for issue of Letter of In-

tent (LOI) and 25 cases of extension of LOI have been approved.

Infrastructure Division has made a portal for submission of on-

line application and its subsequent processing for setting up of ICD

/ CFS / AFS. The improved process ensures a speedier and more

transparent approval process. The approval for setting up of

ICD/CFS/AFS is facilitated through an Inter-Ministerial Committee

(IMC) which consists of officials from Ministry of Commerce, Rail-

ways, Shipping, Revenue and Civil Aviation.

To improve the logistics performance in the States, this Depart-

ment has envisaged development of State-level Logistics Perform-

ance Indicators on the lines of the Logistic Performance Index

published by the World Bank. In this regard, work order to under-

take the development of Preliminary State-Level Export Logistics

Performance Indicators has already been awarded to M/s Deloitte

Touche Tohmatsu India Private Limited.

Two high level committees, viz. the Standing Committee on Pro-

motion of Exports by Sea (SCOPE-Shipping) and the Standing

Committee on promotion of Exports by Air (SCOPE-Air) are func-

tioning under the aegis of Infrastructure Division, Department of

Commerce. The objective of these committees is to address poten-

tial constraints in the smooth movement of international cargo and

resolve problems of exporters concerning various departments re-

lated to exports including Customs, Containerization, Air, Shipping

& Railways. The meetings of these two Committees are normally

held every year. Since the year 2004, ten meetings of these commit-

tees have been held. In 2016-17, the 47th SCOPE (Shipping) &

55th SCOPE (Air) meetings were held on 18th April, 2017. The

stake holders have been requested to take Action on the issues con-

cerning them.

Besides the above, other important residual issues which are

raised by the associations / organizations of exporters / importers

about reported difficulties being faced by shippers/ exporters

while importing / exporting consignments resulting in enhanced

transaction cost on account of arbitrary and exorbitant charges by

shipping lines, consolidators, freight forwarders and other service

providers such as collusive price fixing by the service providers at

ports / airports and cartelization of the shipping liners resulting

in sharp cost escalation, congestion at various ports, lack of suit-

able infrastructure, poor planning and congestion at ports have

been taken up at appropriate level by the Department of Com-

merce from time to time.

TRADE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EXPORT SCHEME

(TIES)

The TIES scheme is being implemented for a period of 3 years

w.e.f. F.Y. 2017-18. The objective of this scheme is to enhance ex-

port competitiveness by bridging gaps in export infrastructure, cre-

ating focused export infrastructure, first mile and last mile

connectivity for export-oriented projects and addressing quality and

certification measures. The main focus is to create appropriate in-

frastructure for development and growth of exports through en-

gagement of Central/State Agencies by extending assistance to

them. The Central Government assistance for infrastructure cre-

ation is in the form of grant in-aid, normally not more than the eq-

uity being put in by the implementing agency or 50% of the total

equity in the project. (In case of projects located in North Eastern

States and Himalayan States including J&K, this grant can be upto

80% of the total equity).

Total Scheme outlay is Rs. 600 Cr. with annual outlay of Rs. 200

cr. An outlay of Rs. 100 Cr has been provided under this scheme

during the financial year 2017-18. Out of Rs. 100 Cr, a sum of Rs.

43.28 Cr. has been sanctioned/allocated to various central and state

owned agencies towards 8 projects located in Andhra Pradesh, Kar-

nataka, Kerala, Manipur, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh (as on

30.10.2017).

ENGAGEMENT OF STATES FOR EXPORT PROMOTION

COUNCIL FOR TRADE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT

A Council for Trade Development and Promotion was notified

under the chairpersonship of the Union Commerce and Industry

Minister, in which the Trade & Industry Ministers of all the states

are members along with the Secretaries of the Central

Ministries/Departments dealing with infrastructure and finance and

the apex industry associations. The 1st and 2nd meeting of the

Council was convened on the 8.1.16 and 5.1.17 respectively. the 3rd

meeting of the Council is proposed to be held on 4th January, 2018

with the participation of all States/UTs.

The issues raised by the State Govts during the 1st and 2nd

meeting were taken up with the concerned and attempts made to re-

solve them. The Council provides the states with a platform to ar-

ticulate their views on the Trade Policy.

New Initiative - Joint Meetings with State Governments and

Exporters

Under the initiative, Commerce Secretary leads a team of offi-

cials from Dept of Commerce, DGFT, Customs, CONCOR and

concerned ministries to sensitize the states on the need to promote

trade related infrastructure and other issues. The meeting with the

State Government officials, jointly chaired by the Commerce Secre-

tary and the Chief Secretary of the State, deliberates on the DGCIS

data on exports from the state, the issues related to local

taxation/levies, power availability, road/rail connectivity etc as aired

by the local exporters/CHAs. The possible implications of the var-

ious international agreements on the export basket of the State are

also discussed so that the States can plan the development of the

industry. During the interaction the state responds on their plan of

action to tackle the various bottlenecks.

This meeting with state government is usually followed or pre-


ceded by a meeting with the exporters/freight-forwarders/CHAs

from the state. The open house session focuses on bottlenecks being

faced by exporters including logistics bottlenecks. This provides a

forum for a large section of the exporting fraternity to interact di-

rectly with the Commerce Secretary and the heads of the local reg-

ulatory departments to plan their expansions. The initiative by the

Ministry of Commerce, Government of lndia provides the exporters

with an interactive platform to articulate the current problems being

faced by them with the various regulatory agencies both at the centre

and state level. The interactive sessions are having a huge participa-

tion as the exporters of the state have this exclusive platform to dis-

cuss specific issues.

As part of this, Commerce Secretary has convened such joint

meetings in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Ra-

jasthan, combined meeting of all the North Eastern States, Andhra

Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh,

West Bengal, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.

State Specific Export Strategies

State Governments are being encouraged to formulate state spe-

cific export strategies to develop and identify items with export po-

tential and promotion thereof. The States have also been requested

to include promotion of organic cultivation, promotion of standards

& certification, promotion of services exports and improvement in

export infrastructure & logistics as an integral part of their export

strategy.

Status of Development of Export Strategy by the State

Government

So far seventeen States namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,

Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Manipur,

Odisha, Rajasthan, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Haryana, Hi-

machal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry and Uttarakhand have

sent their export strategy. Export Strategy of 6 more States viz.

Andhra Pradesh, Odisha(revision), Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya

and Chandigarh is being prepared by FIEO under MAI Scheme of

this Department. Some of the remaining states have engaged organ-

isations like IIFT etc for preparing export strategy.

Status of Appointment of an Export Commissioner

For coordination of all export related activities by the State Gov-

ernments: So far twenty-eight states namely Andhra Pradesh, Maha-

rashtra, Mizoram, Manipur, Punjab, Puducherry, Karnataka,

Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana,

Delhi, Tamil Nadu Tripura, Telangana, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh,

Sikkim, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Goa, Bihar,

Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Rajasthan have intimated appointment of

Export Commissioners

FEDERATION OF INDIAN EXPORT ORGANISATIONS

(FIEO)

FIEO was set up in 1965, as an Apex Body of Export Promo-

tion Organizations. It is registered under the Societies Registration

Act of 1860 with Headquarters in Delhi. It is identified as an Export

Promotion Council under Appendix 2T of Foreign Trade Policy

2015-2020. It has 17 offices across the country covering all the Met-

ros and also cities like Kanpur, Ludhiana, Guwahati, Ranchi, Indore

etc. FIEO has been functioning as a platform for interaction be-

tween exporters and policy makers. As an apex EPC, FIEO is in-

strumental in channelizing the efforts of Indian exporting

community cutting across various commodities and services. It is an

ISO 9001-2008 certified Organization.

As an apex organization for Export Promotion, FIEO Managing

Committee consists of representatives of EPCs and Commodity

Boards, APEDA, MPEDA etc. In accordance Foreign Trade Policy,

FIEO is designated as Registering Authority for status holder ex-

Year wise Status of MAI Allocation/Releases(Rs in Crore)

Year Outlay Expenditure@

2007-08 45.00 44.99

2008-09 50.00 49.99

2009-10 64.00 64.99

2010-11 110.00 110.00

2011-12 150.00 150.00

2012-13 125.00 125.00

2013-14 179.99 179.99

2014-15 199.99 199.99

2015-16 224.99 224.99

2016-17 220.51 200.51

2017-18 203.49 144.20 (as on 14.11.2017)

porting firms and, exporters dealing in multiple products. It also

grants Certificates of Origin [Non-Preferential] required as proof

of origin of goods. FIEO functions as a servicing agency to provide

integrated assistance to over 22,000 members comprising of export-

ing firms holding recognition status granted by the Government,

Consultancy firms and Service providers.

FIEO provides an e-platform to buyer/sellers through its huge

network. It also organizes/ participates in Trade Fairs and Exhibi-

tions across the globe, particularly in untapped countries. FIEO

has signed over 90 MOUs with leading Chambers across the globe

to provide commercial information and marketing support to its

members.

MARKET ACCESS INITIATIVE (MAI) SCHEME

Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme is a Plan scheme formu-

lated to act as a catalyst to promote India’s exports on a sustained

basis. Under the scheme, assistance is provided to Export Promotion

Councils, Commodity Boards and Apex Trade Bodies. There are

provisions for supporting individual exporters (for product registra-

tion and testing charges for engineering/Pharmaceuticals products

abroad). The scheme was last revised in August, 2014. The broad

objectives of such funding under MAI are:

� Display and promotion of India’s capabilities as provider of

world class goods and services.

� Project India as an attractive investment/sourcing destina-

tion.

� Create a strong Brand Image for India.

� Facilitate exporters /Industry Bodies to participate in major

events abroad in identified markets to create an impact of

Indian Goods and Services.

� Facilitate exporters to get exposure to new/ potential mar-

kets and access information on global trade.

Assistance under MAI Scheme is granted through designated

Trade Organization for various activities covered under the Scheme.

The approval process of proposals involve scrutiny through Com-

mittee empowered under the Scheme.

During the year 2017-18, 246 projects have been approved for

receiving assistance under the scheme.

@ Expenditure indicates the total funds released for events /studies

approved in the previous year(s) and also advance released for such proposals/studies

in succeeding year.


ADVISORY BODY

Board of Trade (BOT)

The Board of Trade (BOT) was reconstituted vide Trade Notice

No.21 dated 23.03.2016 as per mandate given under Para 300 of For-

eign Trade Policy Statement 2015-2020. The objective of BOT is to

have continuous discussion and consultation with trade and industry.

The Board of Trade would, inter-alia, advise the Government on

policy measures related to Foreign Trade Policy in order to achieve

the objective of boosting India’s trade.

The following are the terms of references of Board of Trade:

i) To advise Government on Policy measures for preparation and

implementation of both short and long term plans for increasing

exports in the light of emerging national and international eco-

nomic scenarios;

ii) To review export performance of various sectors, identify con-

straints and suggest industry specific measures to optimize ex-

port earnings;

iii) To examine existing institutional framework for imports and ex-

ports and suggest practical measures for further streamlining to

achieve desired objectives;

iv) To review policy instruments and procedure for imports and ex-

ports and suggest steps to rationalize those for optimum use;

and

v) To examine issues which are considered relevant for promotion

of India’s trade and for strengthening international competitive-

ness of Indian goods and services.

Second Meeting of the reconstituted Board of Trade was held

on 20.06.2017. Commerce & Industry Minister during the meeting

has outlined that the export scenario has made a turnaround and

shown positive growth during the last 8 months as a result of several

initiatives taken by the Department of Commerce; the productive

outcome of the Trade Facilitation Agreement where India has been

able to smoothen out several trade barriers affecting exports; the

Department of Commerce has been in continuous interaction with

the Department of Revenue in sorting out several issues of ex-

porters relating to GST.

The issues raised by the exporters and organizations during the

meeting were discussed. Record of Discussion (ROD) was circulated

to concerned Ministries /Departments /Organizations for necessary

action.

INDIA BRAND EQUITY FOUNDATION (IBEF)

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) is a Trust established by

the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry,

Government of India. IBEF’s primary objective is to promote and

create international awareness of the Brand India label in markets

overseas and to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge of Indian

products and services. Towards this objective, IBEF works closely

with stakeholders across government and industry.

IBEF has further expanded on its branding activities to support

key export sectors in overseas trade fairs and exhibitions in 2017.

The highlights of some key events across the sectors are as follows:

Leather: Expo Peru 2-4th Aug 17 & Buyer Seller Meet at

Santiago, Chile 7-8th Aug 2017:- IBEF and Council for Leather

Exports (CLE) launched the Brand India Leather campaign in the

Latin American market by participating at Expo Peru from 2nd to

4th Aug 2017, at LIMA- PERU and hosting a buyer seller meet on

7th & 8th Aug 2017 at Santiago-Chile. Two press conferences on

the Indian Leather Sector were also held on 3rd and 7th August 2017

at Peru and Santiago respectively. The media coverage extended over

10 days, in leading publications like Gestión, El Comercio, La Re-

publica, Correo, Expreso, Las ultimas, La Estrella across both the

countries.

Textiles: India Trend Fair, Tokyo, 27-29 September,

2017:- IBEF initiated branding for the textile sector in Japan by

supporting India Trend Fair, Tokyo, Japan organised by JIPPA

(Japan India Industry Promotion Association) during September

27-29, 2017 at Belle Salle Shibuya Garden. More than 80 ex-

hibitors participated from The Apparel Export Promotion

Council (AEPC), and Handloom Export Promotion Council

(HEPC). IBEF organised a press conference and a fashion show

displaying the innovative creations of Indian companies and

showcasing Indian textiles and fabrics being incorporated for

Japanese attire and clothing. The event was covered by Sen I

News, Senken Shinbun, Asia Textile Business News and many

more publications.

Agri-products: ANUGA, Cologne Germany, October 5-9,

2017:- IBEF was branding partner for India at ANUGA, Cologne,

2017, where India was the partner country. With the tagline – ‘One

of the world’s fastest growing food economies’, IBEF’s branding,

which included venue and outdoor advertising, knowledge kits and

digital campaign, highlighted the opportunities that India presented

across the value chain of the food sector. The digital marketing cam-

paign for ANUGA generated 17,955,585 impressions and 62,588

visits to the ANUGA web page created by IBEF.

Engineering: MSV Brno, Czech Republic, 9-13, October,

2017:- The International Engineering Fair (MSV) is the leading in-

dustrial trade fair in Central Europe with annual participation reach-

ing more than 1,500 exhibitors and 75,000 visitors from 59

countries worldwide. India participated as a Partner Country at

MSV Brno 2017. The Indian delegation comprising of approxi-

mately 100 private companies, PSUs, various states (Jharkhand, Kar-

nataka) and other government departments and bodies (Ministry

of Steel, National Institute of Design) was led by Minister of State

for Commerce & Industry Mr C R Chaudhary. IBEF undertook

branding and publicity for India’s participation including the venue,

city, newspaper advertising, digital branding and PR. The branding

campaign designed as part of the umbrella theme titled ‘India: En-

gineered to Excel’ was appreciated by both domestic and foreign

visitors alike.

Major Events supported under MAI support during 2017-18

S. No. Region Council Date

1 Textile India, Gujarat All Textile EPCs 30 June, 2017- 3rd July, 2017

2 Global Exhibition on Service SEPC/CII April, 2017

3 Astana Expo, 2017, Kazakhstan ITPO 10 June, 2017-10 Sept, 2017

4 Advantage Health Care, Bengaluru FICCI/EEPC/SEPC October, 2017

5 IPHEX, 2016, Hyderabad Pharmexcil 26-28th April, 2017

6 India International Jewellery Show, Mumbai GJEPC July, 2017


Pharma: CPhI Worldwide, Frankfurt 24-26, October, 2017:-

IBEF with the support of Ministry of Commerce and in association

with Pharmexcil has been carrying out Brand India Pharma Cam-

paign in the European market using the platform of CPhI World-

wide through venue branding, thought leadership programme, media

engagement and digital media campaign over the past five years.The

interesting aspect of the engagement this year at CPhI Worldwide,

2017 included the thought leadership programme which focused on

the seminar on India’s Contribution to Global Healthcare: A per-

spective on Affordability, Accessibility and Efficacy. It included lead-

ing analysts of the Indian pharma sector discussing the recent trends

and achievements of the Indian pharma sector. It was extensively

covered in the event’s show daily.

IBEF Knowledge Centre:- IBEF website www.ibef.org has

emerged as a credible source of information on Indian business and

economy. The website crossed 400,000 visitors per month in 2017.

Online Brand Campaign for Tea Coffee Spices:- IBEF under

the direction of the Department of Commerce executed a 6-month

online campaign for tea, coffee and spices in collaboration with Tea

Board, Coffee Board and Spices Board respectively. The campaign

was successful in driving huge traction for the three sectors on social

media - with total engagement reaching 1.85 crore. Sector-wise

achievements are as follows:

Sector Reach Engagement

Tea 18.4 crore 63.6 lakh

Coffee 10.5 crore 48.72 lakh

Spices 13.68 crore 72.99 lakh

EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCILS (EPCS)

Export promotion councils (EPC) are trade promotion industry

bodies generally created under the erstwhile Section 25 of the Com-

panies Act 1956 (company not for profit) and are companies pro-

moted by the Department of Commerce, to augment international

trade. A merchandise EPC typically caters to exporters of the cate-

gory of products allocated to them by Government. Some of them

(e.g Services EPC) draw their legal status from the Societies Act.

EPCs by their mandate provide a host of services to overseas

buyers to facilitate their procurement of goods from India. EPCs

act as link between Indian exporters and foreign buyers and facilitate

for activities like identifying suitable suppliers in India, conforming

to buyer’s needs, arranging visits of overseas buyers, facilitating ex-

ploratory missions and delegations to India, providing supplier’s pro-

file, assisting in establishing collaborations for the third country

exports, creating awareness amongst overseas buyers on Indian’s

technical expertise and supply capability, acquainting overseas buyers

with business climate and policies prevailing in India, helping in am-

icable settlement of trade dispute, remove operational constraints,

etc. For this purpose, regular interaction with Government agencies

in India and abroad is part of an EPC’s role.

GEM & JEWELLERY EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL

(GJEPC)

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC),

the apex trade body of the Indian gem & jewellery industry has com-

pleted 51 glorious years of its existence this year. It has approxi-

mately 6380 Members as on 26th October, 2017. The gems and

jewellery manufacturing sector is India’s leading foreign exchange

earning Sector. Exports of gems and jewellery from India during

the fiscal year 2016-2017 registered a performance of US$ 43,412.76

million registering growth of 10.5%. This sector contributes to

about 15.74% of the country’s total merchandise exports. It consists

of large number of SME units, employing skilled and semi-skilled

labour, almost entirely in the unorganized sector.

During the year 2017-18, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promo-

tion Council (GJEPC) participated in the following events/exhibi-

tions in India and abroad:-

� Vicenza Oro Winter 2017, in Vicenza Italy from 20th to 25th

January, 2017

� Antwerp International Diamond Fair, 2017 Belgium 29th to 31st

January, 2017.

� India Diamond Week 2017 in Guangzhou, China from 20th to

22nd February, 2017.

� Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show 2017

28th Feb- 4th March, 2017.

� Hong Kong International Jewellery Show 2017 in Hong Kong

from 2nd to 6th March, 2017.

� Basel World 2017 in Basel, Switzerland from 23rd to 30th March,

2017.

� CARATS+ 2017 in Antwerp, Belgium from 7th to 9th May 2017

� India SAARC Middle East BSM 2017 in New Delhi, India from

14th to 16th May, 2017.

� JCK Las Vegas Show 2017 in Las Vegas, USA from 5th to 8th

June, 2017.

� Singapore International Jewellery Expo 2017 in Singapore from

13th to 16th July, 2017.

� International Jewellery Fair 2017 in Sydney, Australia from 26th

to 28th August, 2017

� Vicenza Oro Fall 2017 in Vicenza, Italy from 23rd to 27th Sep-

tember, 2017.

In addition to above, GJEPC organized the following activities

in 2017-18:-

� Signature IIJS & IGJME 2017 from 6th to 9th February, 2017

at Mumbai

� Banking Seminar “Diamond Financing New opportunities New

Realities 2017”’on 6th February, 2017 at Mumbai

� 50th Year Celebrations of it’s existence on 19th March, 2017

wherein the Hon’ble PM addressed the gathering through Video

Conference

� 43rd India Gem & Jewellery Awards 2016 (IGJA2016)’ in Mum-

bai on 18th March, 2017

� International Diamond Conference – Mines to Market on 19th

and 20th March, 2017

� A memorandum of Co-Operation between GJEPC & ALROSA

signed on 1st June, 2017 in the gracious presence of Hon’ble

PM of India and Hon’ble President of Russia at SPIEF 2017

held at St. Petersburg

� 34th edition of India International Jewellery Show (IIJS 2017)

from 27th to 31st July, 2017 at Mumbai

Special Notified Zone for consignment import of rough

diamonds:-

The Indian diamond industry is import sensitive and con-

stantly requires to procure its primary raw material – rough dia-

monds – from overseas diamond mining companies. With an

objective to facilitate constant supply for rough diamonds and to

make India an International diamond trading hub, the India Dia-


Category 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Finished Leather 1093.73 1284.71 1329.05 1046.45 888.89

Footwear 2066.91 2557.66 2945.58 2739.06 2775.77

Leather Garments 563.54 596.15 604.25 553.11 536.57

Leather Goods 1180.82 1353.91 1453.26 1370.04 1321.61

Saddlery & Harness 110.41 145.54 162.70 146.38 143.08

Total 5015.41 5937.97 6494.84 5855.06 5665.91

% Growth 2.91% 18.39% 9.37% -9.84% -3.23%

Value in US$ Mn

Source : DGCI&S Kolkata

Current Export Trends

During the period from April-August 2016-17 vs April-August

2017-18, India’s export of leather and leather products has slightly

declined from US$ 2456.28 mn to US$ 2452.92 mn, recording a neg-

ative growth of -0.14%.

However, the Council had organized various export promotional

events abroad which resulted in bringing down the negative growth

from -9.84% in 2015-16 to -3.23% in 2016-17 and further reduced

to -0.14% during April-August 2017-18.

The exports to major European countries like Germany, France,

Netherlands and markets like Russia, China, Canada, South Africa

have shown positive growth during April-August 2017-18.

Import

The import of leather and leather products during April-August

2017-18 has increased to US$ 573.95 mn from US$ 531.02 mn in

April-Aug 2016-17. The major items of import are raw hides/skins

and finished leather contributing to 50% of total imports which are

used as raw materials in manufacturing value added leather products

and footwear.

Policy Support Measures:

In order to promote Green Tanning, the Union Budget 2017-18

announced the reduction of Basic Customs Duty on Vegetable Tan-

ning Extracts namely Wattle extract [3201 20 00] and Myrobalan fruit

extract [3201 90 20] from 7.5% to 2.5%.

Marketing assistance under MAIS 2017-18 :

The following 16 events have been approved under MAIS 2017-

18 with the funding assistance of Rs. 1220.32 lakhs.

Infrastructure Projects in Export Clusters under ASIDE

Scheme:

The Council for Leather Exports has been notified as a Central

S.No. Events

01 88th Expo Riva Such, Garda Fair Italy, June10-13, 2017

02 Buyer Seller Meet in Chile & Peru, Peru- Aug 2-4, 2017 and Chile- 7-8, 2017

03 19th Shoes & Leather Fair, Ho Chi MinhCity, Vietnam July 12-14, 2017

04 Magic Show, Las Vegas, USA, August 13-16, 201705 Spoga Horse fair, Cologne, Germany, Sep-

tember 3-5, 201706 Fashion World Tokyo Fair, Japan, October

11-13, 201707 India Leather Days, Germany, November

08-09, 2017 08 89th Expo Riva Such, Garda Fair Italy Jan-

uary 13-16, 201809 Designers Fair , Chennai - February 1-3, 2018 10 Magic Show, Las Vegas, USA - February 14-

16, 201811 Buyer Seller Meet in South Africa - March

12-13, 201812 Fashion Access Fair, Hong Kong - March 14-

16, 2018 13 India Leather Show in Spain - March 20-21, 2018 14 MM&T – Materials Manufacturing & Tech-

nology Fair, Hong Kong - March- 14-16, 201815 BSM in Dubai Dec 201716 MOS Shoes, Moscow , Russia, March 2018

mond Trading Centre – Special Notified Zone (IDTC-SNZ) has

been established at Bharat Diamond Bourse, Mumbai. Requisite

policy framework for operationalizing the SNZ has been put in

place by the Government and viewing operations by foreign min-

ing companies at the SNZ have started. Total viewings done at

IDTC since its inception till September, 2017 were 49 (359 days)

and diamonds displayed were 55,27,606 carat, i.e. worth US$

925.61 million.

COUNCIL FOR LEATHER EXPORTS (CLE)

The Leather Industry holds a prominent place in the Indian

economy and it is among the top ten foreign exchange earners for

the country. With an annual turnover of over US$ 12 billion, the ex-

port of leather and leather products increased manifold over the past

decades and touched US$ 5.67 billion during 2016-17, recording a

Cumulative Annual Growth Rate of about 3.09% (5 years). The

Leather industry is an employment intensive sector, providing job

to about 3.09 million people, mostly from the weaker sections of

the society. Women constitute 30% of those employed in the leather

sector. The Indian leather sector has many distinctions namely (a)

India is the second largest producer of footwear and leather gar-

ments in the world,(b) Second largest Exporter of leather garments,

(c) Fifth largest exporter of Leather goods, (d) contributor of

12.95% of World’s leather production.

Export Performance

India’s export of leather and leather products has increased from

US$ 5015.41 million in 2012-13 to US$ 5665.91 million during 2016-

17, recording a cumulative annual growth rate of about 3.09% (5

years).

Statement showing India’s Export of Leather and Leather prod-

ucts for five years is shown below:


Agency for implementing Infrastructure projects relating to

Leather Sector across the country with financial assistance from

the Department of Commerce (DOC) under erstwhile ASIDE

Scheme as well as from the State Government. The Council has

implemented a number of projects under ASIDE scheme in vari-

ous leather clusters.

The following are the details of the ongoing projects currently

under implementation:

� Trade Centre, Agra, Uttar Pradesh with a financial outlay of Rs.

2173.83 lakhs is nearing completion.

� Testing Lab & Design Studio, Agra, with a financial outlay of

Rs.1314.65 lakhs (STATE ASIDE funded by Govt. of Uttar

Pradesh)

� Common Facility Centre (CFC) at Melvisharam, Tamil Nadu

with a financial outlay of Rs.2468.07 lakhs

� Creation of Additional 1 MLD Capacity of ZLD System in

RANITEC CETP, Tamil Nadu with a financial outlay of

Rs.1773.15 lakhs

� Creation of Additional 596 KLD Capacity System in MAD-

HAVARAM CETP, Tamil Nadu, with a financial outlay of

Rs.1308.12 lakhs

� Creation of Additional 750 KLD Capacity of ZLD System in

VISHTEC CETP, Tamil Nadu, with a financial outlay of

Rs.1864 lakhs.

BASIC CHEMICALS, COSMETICS & DYES EXPORT PRO-

MOTION COUNCIL (CHEMEXCIL)

Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics & Dyes Export promotion Council,

popularly known as CHEMEXCIL was set up by the Ministry of

Commerce & Industry, Government of India in the year 1963 in

Mumbai with the objective of promoting export of Dyes and Dye

Intermediate, Basic Inorganic, Organic Chemicals including Agro

Chemicals, Cosmetics, Soaps, Detergents, Toiletries & Essential Oils

and Castor Oil from India to various countries abroad.

The main roles of CHEMEXCIL are as follows:

� Maintains liaison with Government authorities to convey the re-

quirements of chemical industry/ exporters and ensure suitable

Foreign Trade Policy framework and budgetary support for

boosting exports.

� Overcoming Export Constraints and operational bottlenecks.

� Undertake direct export promotions such as trade delegation to

various countries and participating in an international exhibition.

� Organizes Reverse Buyer - Seller meets & Hosting foreign dele-

gations.

� Provides market information and statistical support.

� Represents issues of member-exporters related to Directorate

General of Foreign Trade, Customs/Central Excise, Duty Draw-

back, Banking, ECGC, etc.

� Assists the exporters in understanding the changes in export

policies and procedures.

� As a Capacity Building Initiative, conducts seminars/workshops

to keep exporters abreast of latest developments in Export

Credit Risk management, Policy/procedures matters, Govern-

ment schemes, etc.

� Issues visa recommendations, Certificate of Origin, letters for

renewal of Central Excise Bond etc. to the member exporters.

Export Performance:

CHEMEXCIL’s exports during the year 2016-17 were US$

12151 Million. The export performance of CHEMEXCIL for the

period April-August, 2017 is US$ 5779 Million which registers

growth of 22% as compared with the exports for the period April-

August, 2016.

Export Promotional Activities:

Given below are the details of Export Promotional

S.No. Foreign Events

1 Indian Pavilion In 17th China InternationalDye Industry Pigments And Textile Chemi-cals Exhibition 2017 held at Shanghai,China from 12-14 April, 2017.

2 Indian Pavilion In 7th Chemspec Europe2017 held at Munich, Germany on 31st May,2017-1st June 2017.

3 2nd Agri Business Global Trade Summit2017 held at USA from 8th -10th August,2017.

4 Indian Chemicals and Cosmetics Exhibi-tion held at Bangladesh on 8th-9th Octo-ber, 2017.

activities/events where CHEMEXCIL had participated/organized

from April 2017 to October 2017:

S.No. National Events

1 Seminar on “GST trade Awareness” in As-sociation with Service Tax Department atMumbai on 9th May, 2017.

2 Seminar on “GST trade Awareness” in As-sociation with Service Tax Department atAhmedabad on 9th June, 2017

3 Seminar on "Export/ Import under GSTRegime" at Bengaluru on 14th July, 2017

4 Seminar on "Export/ Import under GSTRegime" at Ahmedabad on 25th July, 2017

5 Seminar on "Export/ Import under GSTRegime" at Mumbai on 26th July 2017.

6 Seminar on GST region at New Delhi on 3rdAugust, 2017

Reach:

REACH (registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction

of Chemicals ) is the European Union law to ensure the safe use of

chemicals. REACH applies to legal entities established in EEA (Eu-

ropean Economic Area), total 31 countries (EU (28) + Norway, Ice-

land and Liechtenstein). CHEMEXCIL was appointed as the Nodal

Agency and a one stop center for compliance of REACH (Registra-

tion, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) by the

Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Chemexcil has formed REACH Committee to address the issues

related to REACH by members to “Only Representatives” and Eu-

ropean Chemical Agency (ECHA). Chemexcil appointed two “Only

Representatives” for the benefit of its members for compliances of

REACH Pre- registration and registration of member’s substances

in EU viz. Sustainability Support Services – Sweden / ‘REACH Sup-

port’ in Nagpur and REACH Law – Finland (‘Dynamic Orbits’ in

New Delhi).

THE PLASTICS EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL

(PLEXCONCIL)

The Plastics Export Promotion Council (popularly known as

PLEXCONCIL) was established in 1955 by the Ministry of Commerce

& Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India with the

objective of promoting exports of plastic products from India.


S.No. Name of the Event – Exhibition/BSMs

1 FEIPLASTIC 2017 Exhibition held at SaoPaulo, Brazil between 3rd – 7th April 2017

2 COMPLAST Myanmar 2017 Exhibition heldat Yangon, Myanmar between 27th – 29thApril 2017

3 COMPLAST Kenya 2017 Exhibition held atNairobi, Kenya between 8th – 10th June2017

PLEXCONCIL represents the exporting community in the In-

dian Plastics industry which manufactures/ trades in a wide spec-

trum of plastic items ranging from plastic raw materials/polymers

to semi-finished/ finished goods servicing various user segments

like the plastic processing sector, packaging sector, engineering sec-

tor, industrial users (white goods, automotive, agriculture etc). In ad-

dition, human hair and products thereof are also the mandate of the

council. The council has its headquarters at Mumbai with regional

offices in Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi. The total membership

of PLEXCONCIL as on 31st March 2017 stood at 2,489. The Com-

mittee of Administration comprises of 29 members (12 from West-

ern region; 7 from Southern region, 5 from Northern region and 5

from Eastern region).

The council acts as an interface between its members and the

Government/other agencies. It also organizes trade fairs, buyer-

seller meets and other events in India/overseas/arranging work-

shops, seminars/workshops etc for members.

Export performance

The exports during 2016-17 were 7557.68 US$ Million and as

compared with last year, there is a negative growth of 1.04%. How-

ever, the export of plastic products and human hair from India dur-

ing April – August 2017 stood at US$ 2,857.99 million as against

US$ 2,648.62 million in the corresponding period of last year (April

– August, 2016) thereby recording a growth of 8.00% in the 1st

quarter of 2017-18.

Export Promotion measures

PLEXCONCIL participated/organized the following events

during the period April 2017 to August 2017 under the Market Ac-

cess Initiative (MAI) scheme:

In addition to the above, PLEXCONCIL also organized semi-

nars on implications of Goods & Services Tax (GST) and on other

subjects of export interest in different cities of India.

CHEMICAL & ALLIED PRODUCTS EXPORT PROMO-

TION COUNCIL (CAPEXIL)

CAPEXIL, a premier Export Promotion Council, an ISO

9001:2008 certified organization in India was set up in 1958 by the

Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India to facilitate

the export of chemical-based and allied products. This mega organi-

zation has now close to 4000 members across India who are exporters

of 16 broad product genres and represent the best in their fields.

Capexil endeavors to offer a full range of services by way of:-

� Exporter's HUB: Information gateway and helping hand for ex-

porters.

� Dissemination of trade inquiries: Capexil can help the sourcing

needs of an importer anywhere in the world, and also the selling

needs of Indian exporters.

� Quality Service: Access to most competent officers dedicated to

quality service

� Interface for trade and policy related matters: Acts as an inter-

face between the government and the members regarding trade

and policy related matters

� Forum for Trade related Issues: Acts as a forum for representa-

tion of the trade related issues and acts as a liaison between the

exporting community and the government, policy planners,

quasi government organizations

� Liaisons with Diplomatic Missions: Liaisons with Indian Diplo-

matic Missions abroad and Foreign Diplomatic Missions in India

for promotion of business events and other activities. CAPEXIL

is an ardent advocate of exporters to the Government and the pri-

mary focus is to provide export assistance to its member exporters.

� Preparation of Market Reports & Analysis of Trends: Prepara-

tion of relevant market reports, analysis of Indian export trend

across country, product or other parameters and valuable re-

source of global trade data.

Export Performance

� During the year 2016-17, CAPEXIL’s overall exports have

reached US$ 14712.59 Million thereby estimating a growth of

12.46% as compared to the corresponding period of 2015-16.

� The export performance of CAPEXIL for the period April-Septem-

ber, 2017 is US$ 8381.58 Million which registers growth of 19.13%

as compared with the exports for the period April-August, 2016.

� Top ten export destinations of all merchandise of CAPEXIL

are China, USA, Korea, United Arab Emirates, Germany, U.K.,

Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

Export Promotion Measures

CAPEXIL has organized/participated in the following events

abroad as a measure of export promotion:

� Abu Dhabi Intl. Book Fair, Abu Dhabi, UAE during 26/04 to

02/05/2017 On Self Financing Basis

� Beijing Intl. Book Fair, Beijing, China during 23/08 to

27/08/2017 with 14 participants On Self Financing Basis.

� The Flooring Show’2017 at Harrogate & B2B Meets in UK &

Netherlands during 17th to 22nd September, 2017 with 29 par-

ticipants companies under approved MAI Plan for the year

Scheme 2017-18.

Other Export Promotional Activities: During the year 2016-

17 CAPEXIL had issued various certificates as part of an export fa-

cilitation exercise for members of Capexil:

For Export of riversand and stone aggre-gate to Maldives

258 NOCs.

For export of SwanTimber

248 Swan Timber Contract Certificate.

Others19 Visa recommenda-tion letters to variousembassies

For Animal By Productsand Ossein & GelatineExport

380 Health Certificates

7 Veterinary Certificates

59 Plant Approval Certificates (includingrenewal, etc.)

330 Shipment Clearance Certificates


Initiatives

To keep up with the Government of India initiative for Digital

India and keeping in view the difficulties faced by the exporters,

Capexil decided to introduce an online system:

For issuance ofPlant ApprovalCertificate,Shipment Clearance Certificate andHealth Certificate etc,for products ofanimal origin

The details of all Approved Plantsand Certificates issued by Capexilare displayed on this websitehttps://www.capexilcertifications.in which can be used by officers ofthe Animal Quarantine and Certi-fication Service (AQCS) and Ex-port Inspection Council of India(EIC) for verification of the statusof the Approved Plants and thedetails of the Health Certificatebefore signing. The online detailscan also be used by the IndianCustoms at the Indian ports ofshipment to confirm the authen-ticity of Shipment Clearance Cer-tificates issued by Capexil. PortHealth Authorities at the destina-tion ports can also verify and con-firm the Authenticity of HealthCertificates.

For member-ship relatedservices

The beta launch of our Member-ship Automation web applicationcan be seen at https://member-ship.capexil.org for better serv-ices to our bona fide members.

CAPEXIL has launched new website development akin to that

of IBEF as per advice of Ministry of Commerce & Industry Govt.

of India which can be seen at http://capexil.org/

SHELLAC AND FOREST PRODUCTS EXPORT PROMO-

TION COUNCIL (SHEFEXIL)

SHEFEXIL was formerly known as the Shellac Export Promo-

tion Council, which had been working in partnership with the indus-

try since 1957 as the catalysing agency for the long-term development

and export promotion of shellac and lac-based products. The objec-

tive of the council is to realise the full potential of India’s Non-timber

Forest Produces (NTFP) exports through collective action, create a

global brand for Indian NTFP, etc. Shellac Export Promotion Coun-

cil is the Nodal EPC for Non-Timber Forest Produce. Major prod-

ucts Groups under SHEFEXIL are Non-timber Forest Produces

(NTFPs) and their added variants and Guar Gum.

The main roles of SHEFEXIL are as follows:

� To provide commercially useful information and assistance to

the members in developing and increasing their exports

� To offer professional advice to their members in areas such as

technology upgradation, quality, and design improvement, stan-

dards and specifications, product development, innovation etc.

� To organize visits of delegations of its members abroad to ex-

plore overseas market opportunities and interaction with ex-

porters aboard

� To organize participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and buyer-

seller meets in India and abroad

� To promote interaction between the exporting community and

the government both at the central and state levels

� To build a statistical base and provide data on the exports and

imports of the country, exports and imports of their members,

as well as other relevant international trade data

Export Performance

� SHEFEXIL’s exports during 2016-17 stood at US$ 1571.91 Mil-

lion. The export performance of SHEFEXIL for the period

April-July, 2017 is US$ 615.95 Million which registers a growth

of 26.04% in Value as compared with the exports for the period

April-July, 2016.

� SHEFEXIL’s exports too have been impacted by the global

slowdown and lower world demand, though in volume terms its

performance has shown an uptrend. Council’s export perform-

ance would keep pace with the positive momentum, going by

the export trends in the first quarter of 2017-18.

Export Promotion Measures

Action was taken for smoothly carrying out the process of se-

lection of a suitable research organization for conducting a Toxicity

Study on Food Grade Shellac (E 904) for export to EU region. SHE-

FEXIL is in the process of identifying a suitable agency competent

for undertaking the study. Once the final approval for the Toxicology

study MAI proposal is obtained, the study will be awarded to the

identified lab.

Research & Product Development of Hydrolysed Guar for di-

etary fibre use, Cationic Guar for personal care use, Hydroxypropyl

Guar for construction, personal care, oil field users, odourless and

tasteless Guar for use in food, removal of odour of Guar meal and

use as a protein supplement for human consumption, etc. is being

done. For this, the Council is in process of identifying an agency

suitable for conducting the Guar Gum Study.

A Task Force has been constituted in Department of Commerce

for identifying minor forest products which required significant at-

tention both in promotional activities as well as by way of back-end

support in terms of cultivation practices, productivity, packaging and

marketing, etc. Such products by value addition and promotion can

boost export to great levels and India can create a brand name in

exports of such products. SHEFEXIL has made a detailed analysis

of 25 items of Medicinal plants having export potential in India as

well as in overseas market and same has been identified in consulta-

tion with the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), New Delhi.

Comprehensive strategy for promoting production, processing and

value addition of identified 25 medicinal plants has been made &

special focus has been given for promotion of the short-list of 7

medicinal herbs: Senna (Senna alexandrina), Galangal Rhizomes

(Kaempferia galangal), Periwinkle (Vinca rosea), Stevia (Stevia re-

baudiana), Neem (Azadirachta indica), lsobgul (Plantago ovate),

Sweet flag rhizome (Acorus calamus). It was decided that Shefexil

will prepare the work programme for enhancing the exports of the

identified medicinal plants at the earliest for being examined by this

Task Force which is in progress.

Other steps to be taken to enhance SHEFEXIL exports would

be as follows:

� Achieving desired market shares in Focus Market countries

� Establish vertical linkages to enhance productivity, improve qual-

ity, etc.

� Focus on value additions

� Development of Brand India for sustainable market impact

SPORTS GOODS EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL

(SGEPC)

Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC) is working for

the promotion of India’s exports of sports goods & toys. The Sports

Goods Export Promotion Council has been able to register growth in

export of sports Goods and Toys from India at a steady pace. This

year members of SGEPC exported goods to 140 countries. Exports

of Sports Goods and Toys during the year under reporting have regis-


tered an increase from Rs. 1024.56 Crores to Rs. 1095.33 Crores show-

ing an overall growth of 6.91% over the previous year. The top ten

destinations for export of sports Goods and Toys are UK, Australia,

USA, Germany, South Africa, France, New Zealand, Canada, Nether-

land and Malaysia. Top ten items of the sector being exported are In-

flatable Balls & Accessories, Nets, General Exercise Equipment,

Boxing equipments, Toys and Games, Protective Equipment, Cricket

Equipment, Sports Wear, Carrom Boards and Hammock .

Export Promotion Activities for 2017-18

� Reverse Buyer Seller Meet at Kids India Mumbai (20th to 22nd

September, 2017)

� ISPO Munich 2018 (28th to 31st January, 2018)

� Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair 2018 ( 31st January -4th

February, 2018)

TELECOM EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES EXPORT PRO-

MOTION COUNCIL (TEPC)

Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council

(TEPC) has been set up by the Government of India to promote

and develop export of telecom equipment and services from India.

The Council caters to the complete Telecom Ecosystem including

Telecom Hardware Manufacturers, Telecom Service Providers, Tele-

com Software Vendors and Consultants.

VISION OF TEPC

� TEPC shall continue to promote telecom exports from India

� Promote and accentuate Telecom Exports from India.

� Create a healthy environment for growth of Telecom Ecosystem

including Manufacturing & Services Sector in India.

� Encourage both private and overseas Investments in India under

Foreign Direct Investment.

� Encourage Strategic Alliances, MOUs, and technical/Financial

collaborations to boost trade.

� Support local IPRs & R&D activities for Design in India and

making of World Class telecom products.

TEPC PARTICIPATION IN EVENTS

TEPC on regular basis organized various structured promotional

events so as to create awareness on the capability of Indian telecom

exports. The various promotional activities carried out on a regular

basis are product & services specific delegation to selected countries,

exclusive Indian TEPC Exhibition, country participation in Special-

ized Trade Fairs, Catalogue Show, Buyer-Seller Meets, Product Spe-

cific Seminars and Conferences - both in India and abroad.

EVENTS ORGANIZED BY TEPC

� INDO AFRICA ICT EXPO 2017: 6TH– 7TH SEPTEMBER:

LAGOS: NIGERIA

� INDIA MOBILE CONGRESS 2017: 27TH-29TH SEPTEM-

BER 2017: NEW DELHI

� GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2017: 8th -12th OCTOBER

2017: DUBAI

Target of TEPC

TEPC envisages meeting the following targets: -

� Exports including mobile handsets are likely to reach over $20

billion over next 5 years.

� Domestic telecom products growth of over 20% CAGR likely

over next 5 years.

� Employment generation (direct and in-direct) of 5 million.

� Major domestic telecom needs are targeted to be met by prod-

ucts manufactured in India in coming years.

� At least a few IPR- driven Indian product companies with global

success would become billion dollar companies by 2020.

PROJECT EXPORTS PROMOTION COUNCIL (PEPC)

Project EPC acts as an apex co-ordinating agency for the Indian

project exporters to secure, facilitate and execute projects overseas

within the framework of the Foreign Trade Policy of Government

of India and in line with the guidelines prescribed by the Reserve

Bank of India for undertaking overseas projects as detailed in their

Memorandum PEM (Project Exports Manual).

Its aim is to contribute to the economic development world-wide

by helping project exporters, both in the private and public sector,

to execute projects overseas by employing the best technologies and

use Indian project construction items.

Besides, PROJECT EPC also co-ordinates the promotion of

economic co-operation between indian project exporters and for-

eign companies by assisting in the formation of consortia or joint

ventures to facilitate bidding for executing large projects, and by

promoting technology transfer especially in sophisticated technol-

ogy fields which would encourage Indian companies to jointly bid

for mega projects. It also co-ordinates with the Government to seek

necessary rectifications in policies or procedures (in the regulatory

framework) which would tend to allure Indian project exporters not

only to undertake overseas projects but would also lead to making

their bids more competitive and successful. PROJECT EPC not

only has strategic alliance with various trade bodies in India and

abroad (including Indian missions abroad and foreign missions in

India) but also continues to enlarge its sphere of such alliances with

a view to enhancing project exports as well as export of project

construction items.

The overall management of the Council rests with the Working

Committee which has as members senior officials from Department

of Commerce apart from representatives from Export Import Bank

of India, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India, Reserve

Bank of India and construction industry.

During the last five years’ performance of project export sector

has been as follows:

Year 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18(Apr-Sept)

Value 1856.57 4436.19 5493.04 5014.898 8226.9 1900.82US$ Mln

The growth in 2016-17 was 64.04% (in terms of USD).

ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE EXPORT

PROMOTION COUNCIL (ESC)

Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council

(ESC) is mandated to promote India’s exports of Electronics, Tele-

com, Computer Software and IT Enabled Services. ESC offers a var-

ied set of services to its members for accelerating exports. The ESC

is an Autonomous Society under control of Ministry of Electronics

and Information Technology (MeitY).

Some of the services of ESC are as follows:

� Facilitates participation in Global Trade Shows/ Expositions and

Conferences

� Undertakes Market Research/ Studies and publicity Campaigns

in overseas markets

� ESC facilitates business interface between Indian and foreign

companies through Buyers - Seller Meets, and locates new busi-

ness partners for Indian electronics, computer software and IT

companies

� For facilitating foreign trade, ESC provides on-line facility for

Data Search

During the period April 2016-2017, export of Electronics is es-

timated to be US$ 5686 million and software export is estimated to

have reached to a level of US$ 1110 billion. During the period April


to September 2017, export of Electronics is estimated to have

reached US$ 2917 million and that of Software has reached to an

estimated value of US$ 56.50 billion.

PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL EXPOSITIONS:

� ICT Expo, 13-16 April 2017, Hong Kong

� International SME Innovation and Technology Fair 2017, 10-16

May 2017, Mauritius

� China Nanjing International Software Product and Information

Service Trade Fair, 07-10 September 2017, Nanjing, China

� Mobile World Congress, 12-14 September 2017, USA

� Softwave 2017, 14-16 September 2017, Seoul, South Korea

� Business Alliance Meet, 25-26 September 2017, Bulgaria

� Gitex - Dubai, 08-12 October 2017, Dubai, UAE

EVENTS TO BE ORGANISED:

� Messe Nagoya, 08-11 November 2017, Nagoya, Japan

� Japan IT Week 2017, 08-10 November 2017, Tokyo, Japan

� India Electronics & Software Expo 2018 (INDIASOFT - India

Electronics Expo and GLOBALSOFT) 24-25 January 2018,

Karnataka, India

� Source India Iran, February 2018, Iran

� Mobile World Congress, 27 February - 02 March 2018,

Barcelona, Spain

� Source India Argentina, March 2018

� Source India Nigeria, March 2018

EEPC INDIA LTD

EEPC India is the premier trade and investment promotion or-

ganization in India. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce &

Industry, Government of India and caters to the Indian engineering

sector. As an advisory body it actively contributes to the policies of

Government of India and acts as an interface between the engineer-

ing industry and the Government. Set up in 1955, EEPC India now

has a membership base of nearly 13,000 out of whom 60% are

SMEs. EEPC India facilitates sourcing from India and boosts the

SMEs to raise their standard at par with the international best prac-

tices. It also encourages the SMEs to integrate their business to the

global value chain. Keeping ‘Engineering the Future’ as the motto,

EEPC India serves as the reference point for the Indian engineering

industry and the international business community in its efforts to-

wards establishing India as a major engineering hub in the future.

Export Promotion Initiatives of EEPC India

EEPC India organizes a large number of promotional activities

such as buyer-seller meets (BSM) – both in India and abroad, over-

seas trade fairs/exhibitions, and India pavilion/information booths

in selected overseas exhibitions to demonstrate the capabilities of

Indian engineering industry and to provide the overseas buyers with

true value as propagated by Brand India. India Engineering Exhibi-

tion (INDEE) is EEPC India’s own brand and is one of the largest

expositions of engineering in the world. This has been happening

for the last few decades and is established as the largest and most

important showcase for Indian engineering. To encourage building

global partnerships with India, EEPC India organizes International

Engineering Sourcing Show (IESS), the largest display of engineer-

ing products and services every year. This is recognized as the only

engineering sourcing event in India – showcasing the latest technolo-

gies and a preferred meeting place for global buyers & sellers. This

show is also important to encourage foreign investments in line with

the newly initiated “Make in India” campaign, by Government of

India. Extending its regular agenda, EEPC India publishes several

reports/studies to make the members aware about the international

trends and opportunities in order to enhance their global footprints.

Engineering Export Scenario

Engineering exports have achieved a Compound Annual Growth

Rate (CAGR) of 2.01% from 2011-12 to 2016-17. In 2016-17, engi-

neering exports from India gained 11.3% growth and rose to US$

65.23 billion from US$58.59 billion during the previous fiscal year.

Continuing with the growth trends, the current financial year re-

flected not just the strong momentum in sustaining the growth in

engineering exports, it also smoothly sailed with structural reforms

introduced by the Government in the month of October 2017 viz.

Goods and Services Tax (GST).

In fact, Indian engineering exports continued its growth run for

the 15th straight month to October 2017 albeit with a slower year-

on-year growth of 11.60 percent as against 44.65 percent in Septem-

ber 2017 and 19.09 percent in August 2017.

Overseas shipment of India's engineering products was recorded

at US$ 5728.95 million during October 2017 as against US$ 5133.58

million in the same month last year.

Cumulative growth of India's engineering export during April-

October 2017-18 also slowed down marginally to 19.42 percent on

a year-on-year basis from 20.75 percent during April-September

2017-18. Engineering exports during April - October 2017-18 was

recorded at US$ 41,994.64 million as against US$ 35,166.67 million

during the same period last fiscal.

Out of 33 engineering panels, 20 panels recorded growth in ex-

ports in October 2017 over the same month last year. The panels

which registered a high growth rate of exports during April-Oct

2017-18 vis-à-vis April-Oct 2016-17 were Lead and Products

(139.11%), Zinc & Products (137.48%), Iron & Steel (58.33%), Cop-

per & Products (52.06%), Aluminum & Products (51.77%), Railway

and Transport Equipments (49.7%), Pumps (30.5%), Other Con-

struction Machinery ( 28.2%) and Electrical Machinery and Equip-

ment ( 23.9%.).

Major Initiatives for Increasing Engineering Exports

In order to provide boost to the engineering exports and arrest

decline / stagnancy among the export of major engineering panels,

EEPC India under the various initiatives, is proactively seeking con-

sultations with different stakeholders like as Ministry of Heavy In-

dustry & Public Enterprises, Ministry of Micro Medium and Small

Enterprises, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of

Mines, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Science

and Technology, etc., and National, Regional and sector specific in-

dustry associations, and other trade promotion bodies.

‘Brand India Engineering’ Initiative for global brand

promotion of Indian Engineering goods

To accelerate exports by enhancing brand image of ‘Made in

India’ engineering quality and capabilities of Indian engineering

products and services, EEPC India under the aegis of the Depart-

ment of Commerce is undertaking Brand India Engineering initia-

tive since 2014. The initiative, implemented in support with IBEF

(Indian Brand Equity Foundation), has identified Pumps & Valves,

Electrical Machineries, Equipments and Components, Equipments

and Power Products, Medical Devices & Pharmaceutical Machineries

for further expansion. In future, the council proposes to expand the

ambit into the Textile Machinery & Equipments, Machine Tools and

Defence & Security sector.

Initiative for Technological Upgradation for boosting

Engineering Exports

Low value addition and low quality have been identified as the

key reasons that are contributing towards making Indian products

highly uncompetitive in the international market, and leading to

highly unsustainable growth in exports. In the light of the above,

the Department of Commerce (DoC), Ministry of Commerce and

Industry has undertaken the initiative of Technological Upgradation

for boosting engineering exports.


The initiative aims to facilitate upgradation of technologies for

products which have huge export potential, through partnership and

collaborations with R&D labs and the Government. The DoC, in

consultation with EEPC India has identified 98 focus products

which have revealed significant potential for increasing India’s export

share in the Global market. The initiative aims to sensitize the in-

dustry about various Government schemes available for technology

upgradation, and implementing the technology development initia-

tives in consultation with the industry requirements in a cluster based

approach.

EEPC India inaugurated its first Technology Centre in Banga-

lore. The launch of its second Technology Centre in Kolkata is ex-

pected in near future. Further, it plans to open such centres in its all

the major Offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad,

Hyderabad and Jallandhar. The effort for Digitization of Technology

resources for value addition services to the members of the council

is afoot. The Digital Compendium of Schemes by Government of

India for Technology Upgradation and Directory of Available Tech-

nologies by Academia R&D labs are expected to be completed

within current financial year.

List of Technology Meets organized since the Year 2016-17

along with the targeted focus products

� Kolkata, 26 April 2016 (Foundry, Castings, Forgings, Engineer-

ing Equipments)

� Rajkot, 3 June 2016 (Castings, Forgings, Machine Tools, Electric

Motors, Diesel Engine)

� Raipur, 17 June 2016 (Steel Re rolling, Castings & Metal Fabri-

cation.)

� Aurangabad, 4 July 2016 (Electrical Machineries and transport

equipments)

� Hubli 29 July 2016 (Preparatory Meet held on Hubli 16th July

2016) (Industrial Valves, Castings and other engineering equip-

ments)

� Bangalore 12 August 2016 (Electronics, Electric Motors, Indus-

trial Machineries, Engineering Equipments)

� Jalandhar 26 August 2016 (Hand Tools, Fasteners, Agriculture

and Farm implements, auto parts and General Engineering

Equipments)

� Aurangabad, 18 November 2016 (Forging, Automobile and Au-

tomotive components, Electronics goods)

� Bhilai, 15 December 2016 (Follow up for Raipur Meet of 17th

June 2016)

� Bangalore (at IISc) 10 January 2017, (Valve Sector)

� Bhilai, 04th February 2017 (Metal Fabrication & Casting)

� Ghaziabad, 17 February 2017 (Mechanical Engineering Equip-

ments)

� Belgaum, 23rd February 2017 (Foundry)

� Bangalore, 24th February 2017 (Machine Tools & Accessories)

� Vadodara, 02nd March 2017 (Electric Motors, Follow up meet)

� Rajkot, 03rd March 2017 (Valves, Diesel Engines)

� Ghaziabad, 07 March 2017 (Follow Up Meet of R&D Meet

Ghaziabad)

� Vadodara, 24th July 2017 (Follow up Meet for Electric Motors)

� Chennai, 25th July 2017 (Forging Process Technologies)

� Coimbatore, 2 August 2017 (Industrial Valves)

� Bhopal, 22 September 2017 (Electrical & Machining Tech-

nologies)

Initiative for sensitizing industry on importance of Quality

Standards and International accreditations for Indian

Engineering Products

EEPC India has launched the awareness campaigns in order to

sensitize the industry on importance of Quality Standards and In-

ternational accreditations in partnership with NABCB (National Ac-

creditation Board for Certification Bodies). The initiative is being

launched under series of campaigns across different engineering

clusters.

Promotional Events

EEPC India was the lead agency for Partner Country India at

MSV Brno 2017 - the largest trade and industrial fair of Czech Re-

public held in Brno from October 09-13, 2017

The success of EEPC India in marketing Brand India Engineer-

ing overseas is evident from the omnipresence of the Council in all

Internationally acclaimed engineering shows: including EMO – the

leading international Metal Working trade show; Subcon - World’s

leading Subcontracting trade show for Industrial machinery and

equipment, Automechanika, Middle East – Leading Show for Auto-

motive and Aftermarket Technologies, Hannover Messe 2017, Inno-

prom 2017 and several shows on niche sectors such as Technosalud

2017, Peru, Hong Kong International Medical Devices Fair etc

India Engineering Exhibition (INDEE) shows which has organ-

ized 37 editions, covered 26 countries and 5 continents in three

decades is one of the largest expositions of engineering in the world,

like INDEE Bangladesh in the current financial year. IESS is enter-

ing into its 7th edition in 2018 - the largest display of engineering

products and services every year have gained immense popularity

and is much awaited by both domestic and overseas participants.

India is emerging as reliable supplier of Medical Device, Equip-

ments & Pharma Machinery. Medical Device is the sunrise industry

in India registering a CAGR of 15%. Medical tourism is another

niche segment in the Medical Device sector which is putting India

in front on the global map. Against this backdrop, EEPC India or-

ganised RBSM with overseas sponsored buyers and potential domes-

tic engineering exporters

EEPC India alongwith Department of Heavy Industry, Govt.

of India organized the 4th meeting of Indo-Czech Joint Working

Group on Advanced Manufacturing and Heavy Engineering from

3rd to 6th October, 2016 in Brno, Czech Republic. The visit of the

delegation discussed areas of cooperation in the Heavy Engineering

and Advanced Manufacturing sectors particularly business coopera-

tion in mining machinery, material handling segment, steel plant

equipment, machine tool and railways.

Action Plan

As part of strategy to scale up engineering sector exports, action

points have been identified in this Department and EEPC was man-

dated to evolve an action plan to implement each of them with time-

frame. Initiatives are being taken by the Department to implement

both short and long term action plan in coordination with EEPC

and other stakeholder agencies and Departments.

THE CASHEW EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL OF

INDIA

The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India was established

by the Government of India in the year 1955, with the active co-op-

eration of the cashew processing industry with the object of pro-

moting exports of cashew kernels, cashewnut shell liquid and allied

products from India. By its very set-up, the Council provides the

necessary institutional framework for performing the different func-

tions that serve to intensify and promote exports of cashew kernels,

cashewnut shell liquid and allied products.

The Council undertakes detailed studies and collects trade in-

formation and other particulars relating to the market potential of

cashews and makes them available to the exporters. It also deals

with the trade enquiries received from various parties and passes

them on to its members. The global trade information on cashew

and cashew products is updated on a continuous basis.


The Council sponsors Trade Delegations and Study Teams from

time to time for on-the spot study of various markets abroad. These

teams submit their reports on their return, on the markets visited,

its potential and trends which serve as reference material and also

provide the basis for necessary follow-up action. The market infor-

mation collected by these teams/delegations is disseminated to the

trade/industry.

The Council participates in specialized International Food Fairs

and Exhibitions and general fairs abroad directly as well as through

the Trade Promotion Organizations of Government of India. As

the Council represents the whole industry, it arranges display of

products received from the members. The enquiries received are

circulated amongst the members for their contacting the parties

abroad for business negotiations.

In addition to the above the Council also undertakes publicity

abroad with a view to projecting the 'Product Image' which serves

to focus attention on the high quality and superiority of Indian

Cashews.

The Council has sponsored many research projects for improve-

ment of packaging, developing new products out of cashew, etc. in

association with reputed research institutes like Indian Institute of

Packaging, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Regional

Research Laboratories, etc..

The CEPC Laboratory and Technical Division at Kollam serves

the food processing industry in general and cashew processing in-

dustry in particular in analyzing, testing, training and rendering ad-

vice on technical matters.

Export Performance of Cashew Kernels

The export earnings from cashew and allied products during the

year 2016-2017 were Rs.5,213.00 crores (US$ 778 Million). The

UAE,USA, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Netherlands were top 5 markets

for Indian cashew kernel during 2016-17. On a regional basis , ex-

port to the Middle East was 39%, American Zone, 22%, in Euro-

pean Zone, 22% and South East & Far East Zone 15% of India’s

total export.

The total export of cashew kernels from India during 2016-17

was 82,000 Metric Tonnes valued at Rs.5169 crores the export of

Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CSNL)/Cardanol was 11,000 Metric

Tonnes valued at Rs. 44 crores.

Domestic production and Import of Raw Cashewnut

India continued to be the largest producers of raw Cashewnuts

in the world. The production of raw Cashewnuts in India during

2016-17 7,80,000 was Metric Tonnes as against the estimated pro-

duction of 6,70,300 Metric Tonnes during 2015-16.

The total raw Cashewnut imported into India during 2016-17

was 7,70,000 Metric Tonnes compared to the import of 9,58,339

Metric Tonnes during 2015-16.

INDIAN OILSEEDS AND PRODUCE EXPORT PROMO-

TION COUNCIL (IOPEPC)

IOPEPC is mandated for the development and promotion of

exports of oilseeds, oils and oilcakes, Indian Oilseeds and Produce

Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC), erstwhile known as IOPEA,

has been catering to the needs of exporters since last six decades.

Besides focusing on exports, the Council also works towards

strengthening of domestic supply chain by encouraging farmers,

shellers, processors, surveyors and exporters to enhance the quality

of oilseeds in India. The council is headed by a Chairman.

The Council places higher emphasis on development of oilseeds,

edible oils, oilcakes and other products under its purview. The Coun-

cil works towards improvement of yield and quality of oilseeds being

produced in India so as to match the requirement in global markets.

The Council places higher emphasis on development of oilseeds,

edible oils, oilcakes and other products under its purview. The Coun-

cil works towards improvement of yield and quality of oilseeds being

produced in India so as to match the requirement in global markets.

The Council also organizes workshops for promotion of Good

Agricultural Practices (GAP) amongst Indian farmers and training

sessions for processing units for adoption of HACCP and Good

Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Regional Meetings at various parts in India are also organized so

as to strengthen supply-chain and create awareness regarding the

quality issues amongst stakeholders in the trade and industry such

as exporters, processors, traders, brokers and service providers in

oilseeds and oils sector.

Export Promotion Measures (2017-18):

a. Regional Meeting:

With the objective of development and promotion of exports

of sesame seed from India, Council organized workshop on Capacity

Building Program in Gwalior on 27.08.2017 to make various stake-

holders comprising exporters, processors, traders and brokers aware

about export of sesame seed to EU and non-EU countries, quality

issues, trade issues, Good Manufacturing Practices (GAP), pesticides

issue and GST.

b. Participation in international trade fairs and conferences:

The council has actively participated in the following interna-

tional trade fairs and conferences

� Sesame Seed Conference, China (I):

� Groundnut and Sesame Seed Conference, Zhengzhou, China

(II):

� Buyer Seller Meet (BSM), China:

� World Food Moscow 2017 (WFM 2017) :

Annual Trade Meet 2017 at Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra:

The Council is gearing up to organize its Annual Trade Meet

and Award Function to be held at “Hotel Dreamland”, Maha-

baleshwar, Maharashtra during 10-12th November, 2017. On this

occasion the Council would be unveiling its Souvenir 2017 con-

taining advertisements, contact details of members, informative

articles, etc.

Conference on Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices, Ethiopia:

Council has been invited by Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and

Spices Processors exporters association (EPOSPEA) to be a distin-

guished speaker during 7th International Conference on Pulses, Oil

seeds and Spices” to be held during 22-23rd November, 2017 at

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Council would make an excellent pres-

entation aimed at promoting exports of Sesame seeds from India.

Field based Oilseed Crop Survey:

IOPEPC is undertaking scientific field based groundnut and

sesame crop survey during Kharif, 2017. The survey is being con-

ducted under the supervision of agricultural scientists from the re-

spective state Agriculture universities who have deep knowledge and

understanding of oilseed crops. The scientific approach to the crop

survey provides unbiased and objective assessment of the crop both

in terms of production and quality of crop thereby giving quite re-

liable figures.

The reliable crop estimates help the exporters to chalk out their

appropriate strategies for supply contracts and price quotes. The sur-

vey is being undertaken in major six groundnut producing states i.e


Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and

Maharashtra and four major sesame producing states i.e Gujarat, Ra-

jasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

PHARMACEUTICALS EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL

(PHARMEXCIL)

Indian Pharma, a highly knowledge based industry, is growing

steadily and is playing a major role in the Indian economy. During

2016-17. The Indian pharma exports contributed to the extent of

Rs.1,12,915 crore.The Indian pharma is one of the few sectors in

India that has registered positive growth continuously in spite of

global economic downward trend. Over 55% of our pharma ex-

ports are to highly regulated markets. India accounts for about 37%

of Drug Master Files filed with US FDA (3980 DMFs and 3600

ANDAs), which is highest outside the USA. India has been accred-

ited with approximately 1,300 CEPs, more than 1300 TGA approvals

and 600 sites approved by the USFDA.

India’s Pharmaceuticals manufacturing picked up momentum in

1970s as a result of various introduction of drug policies of the gov-

ernment which favoured domestic manufacturing sector where in-

digenous technology was used. The country soon became not only

self-sufficient but also an exporter of pharma products. India’s

pharmaceutical industry is highly developed and sources its own bulk

drugs & intermediates for most of its formulations barring some

imports from China.

India is considered as Global Pharmacy of generic drugs and

has a distinction of providing quality healthcare at an affordable

cost. India has proven international quality standard capabilities as

measured by number of ANDA approvals, DMF filings, USFDA /

UK MHRA approved manufacturing facilities / bio equivalence cen-

ters etc. These are considered as key indicators to measure the ca-

pabilities of any national pharma sector. India exports APIs,

intermediates, Pharmaceutical formulations, bio-pharmaceuticals,

Clinical Services, medical devices, surgical, herbals, Nutraceuticals,

Ayurvedia, Homeo, Unani products, veterinary drugs etc. to almost

all the countries in the world.

Salient features of export trends:

� 4th in the world in terms of production volumes.

� 17th in terms of export value of bulk actives and dosage forms.

� Over 55% exports of India are to highly regulated markets.

� USA (27%) the largest exports destination followed by EU

(18%).

� One of the Largest exporter of formulations .

Huge market opportunity is emerging for Indian manufacturers.

Further, the prospects of India as outsourcing destination for

CRAMS, Clinical research, biotechnology, bio-informatics etc., is

emerging stronger due to skill, cost and delivery advantages.

Initiative taken by DOC for promotion of pharma exports

a) Brand India Pharma Project:

Brand India Pharma Project, launched in 2012, is continued in

2016-17 also to promote Indian pharma products in the international

markets. Pharmexcil, with the support of IBEF, has undertaken brand

promotion activities in Arab Health held at Dubai, IPHEX Africa,

held in Ethiopia, CPhI World Wide, CPhI Japan. Branding activities

in Arab Health and IPHEX Africa have created positive impact.

b) Reducing dependency on import of APIs:

Continuing the efforts to reduce dependency on import of APIs

and to make Indian API industry self-reliant,the Department of

Commerce held series of consultations with the stakeholders to for-

mulate policies / road map. Pharmexcil also organized several con-

sultative meetings on this subject. A policy for APIs sector, as part

of National Pharmaceutical Policy is under finalization in the De-

partment of Pharmaceuticals.

c) Track & Trace system for exports:

Track & Trace System for pharma exports is being implemented

successfully. Considering the genuine concerns of Small Scale Ex-

porters, exemption from maintenance of parent-child relation and

uploading the data on DAVA portal was given to SMEs up to

31.3.2017. With effect from 1.4.2017, it is mandatory for all the ex-

porters, including Small scale exporters, to carry a specific barcod-

ing on secondary, tertiary packing to maintain Parent-child relation

and to upload data on DAVA portal. Seminars / workshops are

being organized by NIC, GS1 and Pharmexcil, periodically, to clar-

ify the queries of exporters and to ensure smooth functioning of

the system.

Major Export promotional activities undertaken by Phrmexcil

in 2016-17:

IPHEX 2016

4th Edition of IPHEX was organized by Pharmexci during 27-

29th April 2016. Over 350 Indian Exhibitors, 550 overseas delegates

participated in the event. About 7,000 Indian visitors also attended

the event and interacted with the exhibitors.

IPHEX LATAM

Pharmexcil organized its own expo in Latin American region,

with its brand IPHEX Latom in Peru in August 2016. About 40 In-

dian companies exhibited. With the help of pharma associations

and Embassies, local pharma companies were invited to visit the

event and interact with the exhibitors

RBSM focused for APIs

With a view to promote exports of Indian APIs, an RBSM fo-

cused for API exporters was organized in Hyderabad during 23-25th

September 2016. About 90 overseas delegates were invited and or-

ganized B2B meetingsorganized. Over 250 Indian delegates partic-

ipated and had business meetings with the overseas delegates.

CPhI India

Council, for the 10th time, organized Pharmexcil Pavilion in

CPhI India during 21-23rd November 2016. 89 Indian companies

participated in the Pavilion.

Arab Health

For the 11th consecutive time, Pharmexcil organized India Pavil-

ion at Arab Health in Dubai in Jan 2017. 54 Indian companies, deal-

ing in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, surgical products etc.,

participated in the pavilion

IPHEX Africa

The 2nd edition of IPHEX Africa was held in Ethiopia during

20-21st February 2017. With the support of the Department of

Commerce and IBEF, Brand India pharma project was promoted in

this event. Over 40 Indian companies participated. �


CENTRES OF EXPORTPRODUCTION - SEZs & EOUs


SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (SEZs)

The Special Economic Zones Policy was announced in April

2000 with the objective of making the Special Economic Zones an

engine for economic growth, supported by quality infrastructure

and an attractive fiscal package both at the Central and State level

with a single window clearance. The SEZ concept recognizes the

issues related to holistic economic development and provides for

development of self-sustaining Industrial Townships so that the in-

creased economic activity does not create pressure on the existing

infrastructure.

Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 and Special Economic

Zones Rules, 2006

Asia’s first EPZ was set up in Kandla in 1965. Seven more zones

were set up thereafter. However, the zones were not able to emerge

as effective instruments for export promotion on account of the

multiplicity of controls and clearances, the absence of world-class

infrastructure and an unstable fiscal regime. While correcting the

shortcomings of the EPZ model, some new features were incorpo-

rated in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy announced in

April 2000.

To instill confidence in investors and signal the Government’s

commitment to a stable SEZ policy regime and with a view to impart

stability to the SEZ regime and thereby generating greater economic

activity and employment through the establishment of SEZs, a com-

prehensive Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, was passed by Par-

liament in May, 2005. The Act received Presidential assent on the

23rd of June, 2005. The SEZ Act, 2005, supported by SEZ Rules,

came into effect on 10th February, 2006, providing simplification of

procedures and single window clearance on matters relating to Cen-

tral and State governments. As a result of this Act and Rules coming

into force, it was envisaged that the SEZs would attract a large flow

of foreign and domestic investment in infrastructure and production

capacity leading to generation of additional economic activity and

creation of employment opportunities.

� The main objectives of the SEZ Act are:

� Generation of additional economic activity;

� Promotion of exports of goods and services;

� Promotion of investment from domestic and foreign sources;

� Creation of employment opportunities; and

� Development of infrastructure facilities.

Amendments in the SEZ Rules, 2006

The following important amendments have been made to the

SEZ Rules, 2006:

� Prescribing minimum built up area for Bio-technology and Gem

& Jewellery Sectors;

� Prescribing minimum processing area for Free Trade Warehous-

ing Zone (FTWZ);

� Inclusion of specific provisions regarding grant of in-principle

approval and its extension;

� Providing for a lease period of not less than five years as against

the earlier provision of lease period being co-terminus with the

validity of Letter of Approval;

� Stipulating the Upper limit of the area required for multi product

SEZs at 5000 hectares, with the State Governments having the

option to prescribe a lower limit;

� Revising the minimum processing area uniformly at 50% for

multi- product SEZs as well as sector specific SEZs;

� Type of land to be mentioned in the application form of SEZ;

� Reimbursement of duty in lieu of drawback for supply of goods

to SEZ developers against Indian rupees;

� Term “vacant land” defined for the purpose of SEZs;

� Clubbing of contiguous existing notified Special Economic

Zones notwithstanding that the total area of resultant Special

Economic Zones exceeds 5000 hectares

� A number of other amendments to delegate powers and to sim-

plify the procedure;

� SEZ Authority Rules, 2009 has been made for the smooth func-

tioning of zones and SEZ Authority has been set up accord-

ingly.

� Routing proposal for setting up of SEZ through Development

Commissioner, to facilitate developers and for better adminis-

trative efficiency.

� Including all the existing legislation/rules for generation, trans-

mission and distribution of power. Prescribing a time limit of

10 years for constructing the minimum built up area prescribed

under Rule 5.

� Adding a new provision that once SEZ is notified and becomes

operational, the validity of Letter of Approval will continue as

long as the SEZ remains notified.

� Prescribing various forms and procedure for smooth

functioning.

� Making it mandatory to all the developers and units to use the

online system for better monitoring as also better facilitation in

respect of the users.

� Classifying Cities of the country.

� Promoting IT/ITES SEZs in smaller cities of the country.

� Allowing setting up of FTWZs without any minimum area re-

quirement in the existing SEZs.

� Paving way for import of prohibited items by a unit in a Special

Economic Zone or Developer of the Special Economic Zone

from a place outside India to the Special Economic Zone with

prior approval of the Board of Approval.

� Amending Annexure-II of Special Economic Zone Rules, 2006

to substitute the term “Apparel” mentioned is column (3) against

Serial Number 3 of the Annexure by the words “Textiles and

Articles of Textiles”.

� Enabling Board of Approval to extend validity of Letter of Per-

mission of unit beyond 4th year.

� Making validity of Letter of Approval of a

co-developer of SEZ co-terminus with that of the developer.

� The following amendment to the SEZ Rules, 2006 were notified

on 12th August, 2013:-

� Minimum Land Area Requirements for setting up ofSEZs in various categories has been reduced by half.

� To allow greater flexibility and address the intermediatesize land tracts falling between different categories,

Graded Scale for Minimum Land Criteria has been in-

troduced.

� Sectoral broad-banding provisions have been introducedfor categories of sectors to encompass similar/related

areas.

� IT and ITES SEZs – Minimum land requirement criteriahas been Dispensed with.

� Transfer of Assets by SEZ Units upon their exit.

� Vacancy Norms clarified.

� Notification of Dual use of infrastructure in NPA issued and

published on 02/01/2015. This would facilitate creation of so-

cial and commercial infrastructure and other facilities in Non-

Processing Area of SEZs.

� Guidelines issued for setting up of the first International Finan-

cial Services Centre (IFSC) in SEZs vide notification dated

08/04/2015.

� Annexure-II of Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006 has been

partially amended to substitute the figures and word “38

hectares” in serial number 3, in column (4) by the figures and

word “20 hectares” vide notification dated 16/07/2015.

� In supersession of all previous guidelines Power Guidelines for

power Generation, Transmission and Distribution in Special

Economic Zones (SEZs) has been issued on 16th February,

2016.

� Notification of amendment for insertion of Rule 47(5) and Rule

79 in SEZ Rules, 2006 issued and published on 8th August,


2016. This issued in order to incorporate provisions for Audit,

Demand, Refund, Adjudication, Review and Appeal in SEZ

Rules, 2006 & for better administrative efficiency and to take ef-

fective steps for implementation of the approved proposals.

� Notification in respect of amendment for insertion of new Rule

2(1)(zg) and 22(1)(v) in the principle Rule of SEZ Rules, 2006

has been issued in order to empower the Export Promotion

Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES) to issue Registration

Cum Membership Certificate to SEZ Developers, Co-developers

and Units under SEZ Rules, 2006.

� Notification in respect of amendment notifying the investigating

agencies under section 20,21 and 22 of the SEZ Act, 2005 has

been issued.

� Instruction No. 85 issued allowing of authorized employees of

IT/ITES units in SEZ to Work from Home or place outside the

SEZ unit.

� Instruction No. 86 issued for amendment to instruction No. 9

regarding procedure for reimbursement of Duty (RoD) in lieu

of drawback for supply of goods to SEZ Developers against In-

dian Rupees.

� Notification of amending time limit for filing of Annual Per-

formance Reports by SEZ units has been issued.

Current status of approvals for setting up of Special Economic

Zones

Seven Export Processing Zones set up by the Central Govern-

ment at Kandla (Gujarat), Santa Cruz (Maharashtra), Cochin (Ker-

ala), Noida (U.P.), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Falta (West Bengal) and

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), were converted to SEZs on an-

nouncement of the SEZ Policy. Another EPZ set up in the private

sector in Surat was also converted to an SEZ. In addition to these,

11 more SEZs were set up by the State Governments/private sector

during the period 2000-2005 in the States of West Bengal (2), Gu-

jarat (2), Madhya Pradesh (1), Uttar Pradesh (1), Rajasthan (1) and

Tamil Nadu (4). After the coming into force of the SEZ Act, 2005

on 10th February 2006, 423 formal approvals have been granted for

setting up of Special Economic Zones, out of which 354 SEZs have

been notified and are in various stages of operation. A total of 222

SEZs are exporting.

While there is some concentration in certain states, the fact that

the approved SEZs are spread over 19 States and 3 Union Territories

indicates that these are not confined to any particular region. State-

wise distribution of SEZs as on 09.10.2017 is in Table 7.1. The total

land area involved in the formally approved SEZs including notified

SEZs is around 50208.11 Ha.

Table: 7.1State-wise Distribution of approved Special Economic Zone

States/UTs Formal In-principle Notified SEZs Exporting SEZs (Central Approvals approvals Govt. + State Govt./Pvt.

SEZs + notified SEZs under the SEZ Act, 2005)

Andhra Pradesh 29 4 25 20

Chandigarh 2 0 2 2

Chhattisgarh 2 1 1 1

Delhi 2 0 0 0

Goa 7 0 3 0

Gujarat 28 4 24 19

Haryana 24 3 20 7

Jharkhand 1 0 1 0

Karnataka 62 0 51 26

Kerala 29 0 25 19

Madhya Pradesh 10 0 5 4

Maharashtra 57 11 50 28

Manipur 1 0 1 0

Nagaland 2 0 2 0

Odisha 7 0 5 4

Puducherry 1 1 0 0

Punjab 5 0 3 3

Rajasthan 9 1 8 4

Tamil Nadu 50 3 47 36

Telangana 64 0 57 30

Uttar Pradesh 24 1 19 12

West Bengal 7 2 5 7

GRAND TOTAL 423 31 354 222

(As on 09.10.2017)

Source: Department of Commerce


Table: 7.2Sector-wise Distribution of SEZs in India

(Number & Percentage of Operational SEZs (222) as on 30.06.2017)

Box 7.1Direct Employment in Special

Economic Zones (As on 30.06.2017)

Employment, Investment and Exports in SEZ

The details of employment and investment generated in the

Special Economic Zones are given in Box 7.1 and Box 7.2.

Export Performance

The exports from SEZs as on 30th June, 2017 i.e. in the first

quarter of the current financial year 2017-18, has been to the tune

of Rs.1,35,248 crore approximately. Exports from the functioning

Special Economic Zones during the last seven years and current year

are in Table 7.3.

� SEZs in India provide direct employment toover 17,78,851 persons;

� The incremental employment generated by theSEZs in the short span of time since the SEZ Actcame into force in February 2006, is of theorder of 16,44,147 persons.

Box 7.2Investment in Special Economic Zones

� The total investment in the SEZ is Rs.4,33,142crore.

� The incremental investment in the Special Eco-nomic Zones notified under the SEZ Act, 2005is Rs.4,05,690 crore since the coming into forceof the SEZ Act in February, 2006.

Year Value Increase (%) (Rs. Crore) (Over previous year)

2009-2010 2,20,711 121.40

2010-2011 3,15,868 43.11

2011-2012 3,64,478 15.39

2012-2013 476159 31.00

2013-2014 494077 4.00

2014-2015 463770 -6.13%

2015-2016 467337 -0.77%

2016-2017 523637 12.05%

2017-2018 135248 15.39%(as on 30.06.2017)

Source: Department of Commerce (SEZ Division)

The six major sectors of IT/ITES, Hardware etc., Textiles and

Apparel (including Wool), Pharma and Chemicals, Biotech, Engineer-

ing and Multi-products account for bulk (84%) of the SEZ formal

approvals granted so far. IT/ITES/Electronic Hardware/Semicon-

ductor is the single most important segment accounting for about 58%

of the total formal approvals followed by Multi-product SEZs. More

than one third of the 423 formal approvals issued so far have reached

the stage of notified SEZs.

Sector-wise details of SEZs is as in the following diagram:

Table: 7.3Exports from the functioning SEZs during the last eight years and current year


SEZ Policy Reform Initiative

While above achievements are in no way insignificant, a com-

prehensive analytical assessment of the performance of the sector

has highlighted the need that certain aspects of the SEZ Policy and

Operational framework perhaps require a re-look with a view to pos-

sible reform in order to ensure that the laid down objectives of the

SEZ Policy are better achieved.

The geographical dispersion of the SEZs is mainly limited to

seven States, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maha-

rashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. These States account for the

nearly 75% of the SEZs established so far. Further, most of the es-

tablished SEZs, Particularly, IT/ ITES SEZs have come up in and

around major urban centres. The sectoral dispersion of the SEZs

also indicates that manufacturing SEZs are not markedly visible.

With the availability of land becoming increasingly difficult, setting

up of multi product SEZ becomes more challenging as it required

minimum 1000 hectares of contiguous and vacant land. The opera-

tional issues relating to FTWZs, procedure for refund of CST, serv-

ice tax etc., also need further elaboration.

In order to address these concerns, inputs have been received

from the stakeholders after meetings with the Principal Secretaries

(Industries) of the State Governments, and by organizing outreach

seminars under the auspices of the Zonal DCs. Inputs have also

been received from trade associations like NASSCOM, AS-

SOCHAM, Federation of Indian Chambers and CII etc. Further ac-

tion in this regard is in progress.

In short span of about ten years since SEZs Act and Rules were

notified in February, 2006, formal approvals have been granted for set-

ting up of 423 SEZs out of which 354 have been notified. Out of the

total employment provided to 17,78,851 persons in SEZs as a whole

16,44,147 persons is incremental employment generated after February,

2006 when the SEZ Act has come into force. This is apart from mil-

lions of man days of employment generated by the developers for in-

frastructure activities. Physical exports from the SEZs has increased

from Rs.4,67,337 crore in 2015-16 to Rs.5,23,637 crore in 2016-17, reg-

istering a growth of 12.05%. The total physical exports from SEZs as

on 30th June, 2017 i.e. in the first quarter of the current financial year

2017-18, has been to the tune of Rs.1,35,248 crore approximately. The

total investment in SEZs till 30th June, 2017 is Rs.4,33,142 crore ap-

proximately, including Rs.4,05,690 crore in the newly notified SEZs set

up after SEZ Act, 2005. A total of 222 SEZs are exporting at present.

Out of this 129 are IT/ITES, 23 Multi product and 70 other sector

specific SEZs. There are a total of 4,643 units setup in the SEZs.

EXPORT ORIENTED UNITS (EOUs)

The Export Oriented Units (EOUs) scheme was introduced in

early 1981, primarily to boost exports by creating additional produc-

tion capacity. It was introduced as a complementary scheme to the

Free Trade Zones/Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Scheme intro-

duced in the sixties, which had not attracted many units due to loca-

tional restrictions. It adopts the same production regime as SEZs

(erstwhile EPZs) but offers a wide option in locations.

Units undertaking to export their entire production of goods

and services, except permissible sales in the DTA, as per the Ex-

port-Import Policy are referred to as export oriented units (EOUs).

The EOUs function under the administrative control of the con-

cerned Development Commissioner of Special Economic Zone i.e.,

under the Department of Commerce, Government of India.

The EOUs are governed by the provisions of Chapter 6 of the For-

eign Trade Policy (FTP) and its procedures, as contained in the Handbook

of Procedures (HBP). Provisions of the said Chapter 6 and its procedures

have also been made applicable to the Electronics Hardware Technology

parks (EHTPs), Software Technology Parks (STPs) and Biotechnology

Parks (BTPs). Hence the scheme is for EOU/STP/EHTP/BTP and is

referred in common parlance as EOU Scheme.

As on September 30, 2017, 1832 units are in operation under the

EOU Scheme. State-wise distribution of EOUs is given in table below:

State-wise distribution of functional EOUs

States/UTs Functional EOUs as on 30.09.2017

Andhra Pradesh 76

Telangana 165

West Bengal 45

Jharkhand 2

Orissa 1

Meghalaya 1

Gujarat 177

Kerala 83

Karnataka 376

Tamil Nadu 416

Pondicherry 12

Maharashtra 225

Goa, Daman & Diu 37

Dadra & Nagar Haveli 16

Delhi 12

Haryana 55

Uttar Pradesh 55

Punjab 7

Rajasthan 55

Himachal Pradesh 4

Jammu & Kashmir 2

Chandigarh 2

Uttrakhand 1

Madhya Pradesh 7

Total 1832

Export Performance by EOUs

Year EOUs Exports

2012-13 92089.80

2013-14 82072.71

2014-15 98803.29

2015-16 97493.23

2016-17* 74771.89

2017-18* 36591.90(upto 30.09.2017)

(Rs. In Crores)

*Note: Provisional as APRs & QPRs from some of the unitsare yet to be received.

Exports during 2017-18 (upto 30.09.2017) from EOUs are of

the order of Rs. 36591.90 crore as compared to the export of Rs.

74771.89 crore during 2016-17. EOUs are mainly concentrated in

textiles and yarn, food processing, Gems & jewellery, computer soft-

ware, electronics, chemicals, plastics, granites and minerals/ores. �


SPECIALIZED AGENCIESThe Department of Commerce operates a number of CommodityBoards, Development Authorities, Institutional Trade Facilitationand Public Sector Corporations that are specialized agencies,

looking after specific sectors


PLANTATIONS SECTOR

The Plantation Sector comprising Tea, Spices, Coffee & Rubber,

is important to India’s economy as it gives livelihood to large number

of people in the industry and its ancillary activities and the protec-

tion it offers to the historical, cultural and ecological uniqueness of

the regions where they are grown. It is the key sector for environ-

mentally sustainable development, concentrated mostly in ecologi-

cally fragile regions. Trade and exports of the commodities has been

growing steadily, increased value realization per unit, through pro-

cessing and packaging, niche marketing and organic products are in

focus. Following significant steps have been made during the current

year:

� E-Spice Bazaar, a digital platform initiated in association with

Department of Electronics and Information Technology

(DeitY) to ensure total traceability of farms and better price re-

alisation to spice farmers.

� Spices Board, with the objective to brand and showcase the au-

thenticity and quality of spices and its value added products, has

set up signature stalls under the name “Spices India” at Kochi

and Delhi.

� Spices Board initiated the process of formation of Spices

Farmer Producer Companies (SFPC) in order to empower small

and marginal spice growers for better price realisation.

� Buyer-Seller Meets has organised at Guwahati, Itanagar, Kota,

Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Unjha during 2017 for facilitating

direct interaction between spice buyers and sellers to create an

effective market linkage between the two ends of the supply

chain.

� The coffee cupping session of “Flavour of India-Fine cup

Award Competition 2017” was organized on 11th & 12th June

2017 to the “SCAE’s World of Coffee Conference 2017 at Bu-

dapest, Hungary.

� In line with the ambitious initiative of Government of India,

the Coffee Board introduced the Soil Health Cards programme

and issued 6550 Soil Health Cards on pilot scale. The soil health

cards enable judicious use of fertilizers, correct nutrient defi-

ciencies and maintain the soil health for achieving sustainable

yield.

� An exclusive web portal www.indiacoffeesoils.net named KSHE-

MAM (Kaapi Soil Health Monitoring and Management) has

been launched for benefit of the coffee growers.

� Rubber Board released cold resistant clone RRII 2018 for NE

(exclusive clone for NE).

� Board developed Rubber Soil Information System (RubSIS), an

online fertiliser recommendation system for rubber growers to

get fertiliser recommendation for any rubber growing location

in South India.

� A new Laboratory block to house the Advanced Centre for Mo-

lecular Biology and Biotechnology inaugurated by the Com-

merce Secretary to mark the Diamond Jubilee of RRII in March

2017.

� Rubber Board launched skill development project of “Recogni-

tion on Prior Learning” Programme under the Pradhan Mantri

Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme to address the skill gap

and shortage of skilled manpower through re-skilling/up-

skilling programmes in rubber plantation and industrial sector.

� Plant Protection Code (PPC) for cultivation and manufacture of

quality tea introduced in all tea gardens which mandates the pro-

ducers/manufacturers to provide undertakings about the quality

of tea manufactured and supplied by them. PPC version 9.0 has

been released recently.

TEA BOARD

India is the largest producer and consumer of black tea in

the world. Tea is grown in 15 States in India, of which Assam,

West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala account for about 97% of

the total tea production. The traditional States where tea is

grown to a small extent are Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarak-

hand, Bihar and Karnataka. The non-traditional States that have

entered the tea map of India in the recent years include

Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland

and Sikkim. The teas originating from Darjeeling, Assam, Nil-

giris and Kangra are well known for their distinctive quality the

world over. On an average 18% of the total production is ex-

ported and balance 82% is consumed within the country. Besides

bringing in valuable foreign exchange, tea industry is one of the

important sources for revenue for the tea growing states. The

most significant feature of the industry is its ability to provide

direct employment to more than a million workers, of which a

sizeable number are women. Additionally, more than six million

people derive their livelihood from ancillary activities associated

with the industry.

Production: The cumulative tea production during 2017-18 (Apr-

Aug) is arrived at 677.81M.Kgs., increased by 50.32M.Kgs (8.02%)

as compared to its corresponding period. Both North India and

South India production increased by 27.75M.Kgs (5.21%)

and22.57M.Kgs., (23.89%) respectively during the current period.

Production of Tea in India during last two financial years

Year North India South India All India

2015-16 1008.56 224.58 1233.14

2016-17 1043.11 207.38 1250.49

(Source: Tea Board)

(in million kgs)

Production of tea in India (M Kgs)


Average Prices of Tea per kg sold in Public auctions

Period North India South India All India

2015-16 142.91 85.64 127.62

2016-17 141.37 106.12 133.51

(Source: Tea Board)

(Rs/Kg)

Component Activities Target for Achievement 2017-18 till 30.09.2017

PDS Replanting & 2700 511.84Replacement Planting (Ha.)

Rejuvenation 800 58.18 pruning (ha.)

New Planting (Ha.) --- 51.50

Irrigation (ha.) 8500 58.17

Field Mechanisation 35 14(No.)

QUPD Factory 2 1Modernization (units)

Value Addition (units) 5 4

Quality certification 100 --(units)

Orthodox Production 60 20Subsidy ( m.kg.)

(Source: Tea Board)

Exports of tea from India during the last two financial years

Year Quantity Value Unit Price Value Unit Price (M.Kgs) (Rs.Crs) (Rs/Kg) (M US$) ($/Kg)

2015 -16 232.92 4493.10 192.90 686.67 2.95

2016-17 227.63 4632.50 203.51 690.73 3.03

(Source: Tea Board)

Exports: During 2017-18 (Apr-Aug), the provisional tea exports stood at 82.72M.Kgs., with FOB value of Rs. 1636.93Crs., as compared

to 82.37M.Kgs., and FOB value of Rs. 1707.87Crs., of corresponding period. During the current period, value realization in US$ is 254.26

Millions as against US$ 254.94 Millions.

Increase of tea exports were registered mainly to Iran, UAE,

Egypt, U.K., Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and China.

Imports: During current financial year 2017-18 (Apr-Aug), pro-

visional imports stood at 8.30 M.Kgs., with CIF value of Rs. 124.35

Crs., as compared to 10.42 M.Kgs., and CIF value of Rs. 135.07 Crs.,

of corresponding period. During the current period, the import

value in US$ is 19.32 Million as against US$ 20.16 Million.

Prices: During the financial year 2017-18 (Apr-Aug), the All

India auction prices decreased by Rs. 3.52 (2.51%) per Kg. compared

to the corresponding period of last year. Both North India and

South India auction prices were decreased by Rs. 0.13 (0.08%) per

Kg., and by Rs. 8.36 (8.23%) per Kg, respectively.

Tea Development: One of the important functions assigned to

Tea Board under the Tea Act includes formulation and implementa-

tion of development schemes aimed at increasing tea production

and productivity of plantations, modernization of tea processing,

packaging and value addition facilities and encouraging co-operative

efforts amongst small tea growers. Financial assistance for the above

activities is extended through Plan schemes approved for implemen-

tation. Activities supported include uprooting and replanting/reju-

venation of old aged tea bushes, creation of irrigation facilities, field

mechanisation, new planting in organised and small holdings, col-

lectivisation of small growers by way of Self Help Groups/producer

groups, training, demonstration, study tours, modernisation of tea

processing factories, value addition, quality certification, incentivi-

sation of production of orthodox and green teas and welfare meas-

ures for workers.

The physical achievements during 2017-18 till 30.09.2017 for the

major components is as under


Small Grower Development Directorate: The Small Grower De-

velopment Directorate is catering exclusively to the needs of the

small tea growers through offices set up in the areas of major small

grower concentrations in the tea growing States. One of the major

activities being undertaken by the Directorate is carrying out work-

shops and training for the small tea growers on the best field prac-

tices, organic farming, collectivisation for moving up the value chain

etc. Study tours are also organised for the small growers to help them

gain exposure and adopt the better practices and enterprise being

followed. A total of 935 workshops / trainings were conducted for

small tea growers involving 18,658 beneficiaries during FY 2017-18

till 30th September 2017.

Labour Welfare: Supporting welfare measures for securing better

working conditions and improvement of amenities and incentives

for workers and their dependants is one of the major objectives and

functions of the Tea Board, as mandated in the Tea Act 1953. A sum

of Rs. 2.63 crs was extended as financial assistance to disabled per-

sons dependent on tea garden workers/ Special cases of heart and

cancer patients, medical equipments, educational stipend, Uniform/

Book grant etc /Nehru Award, organizing Bharat Scouts Guides ac-

tivities, vocational Training for workers in acquiring new skills under

this scheme.

Other major initiatives on Tea Development

� An exercise for the enumeration of small growers and providing

them with smart cards is under progress. Till now, 159695 grow-

ers have been enumerated and 110857 cards have been issued.

� A Seminar on the "Impact of Climate Change on Tea and Ame-

liorative Measures" was organised by Tea Board of India and

Tea Garden Atlas was released. ‘Tea Garden Atlas - Based on

Remote Sensing Data’ is one of the outcome under Tea GIS-

MIS project of all tea growing areas of entire North Bengal and

Assam using high resolution satellite data.

Tea Promotion: One of the main functions of the Tea Board

is to carry out promotional activities aimed at making India the lead-

ing supplier of quality tea in the global market through increasing

awareness of the many varieties of Indian teas with an objective to

increasing market share of Indian teas in the targeted markets and

also increasing domestic consumption. Focused attention was given

to selected countries, where there is higher potential for increasing

export. The following are the salient achievements achieved till date:

� Trade facilitation measures: Various trade related issues with Iran

such as GMP registration & its renewal for export, the issue of

non-release of INR by the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) to the

L/C issuing banks in Iran, inclusion of the Iranian Consulates

in Mumbai & Hyderabad in addition that in New Delhi for le-

galisation of documents were addressed in an effective and fruit-

ful manner in active collaboration with the Indian Embassy in

Tehran

� Participation in -“Summer Fancy Food Show New York” June

25-27, 2017: Tea Board India participated along with 12 ex-

porters and tea sampling of select Indian teas (Darjeeling black,

Darjeeling Green, Assam, Niigiri, Masala Chai and Sikkim) was

done. The delegation also comprised 9 other exporting tea com-

panies and other stakeholders. A buyer seller interaction was

jointly organized by Tea Board India, Consulate of India, New

York and US Tea Association and a tea tasting session was or-

ganized

� Tea Trade delegation to Chile: A delegation comprising 21 stake-

holders of the Indian Tea Industry was mounted to Chile during

June 29-30, 2017. Chile is a tea market of about 21 m kg but In-

dian tea is insignificant here. The major suppliers are Argentina

and Sri Lanka. It was hence thought prudent to mount a dele-

gation to Chile with a view to explore the potential of export

of Indian teas to Chile. A number of meetings were held with

important buyers to discuss about possible facilitation of tea

trade between Indian exporters and Chilean importers. Meeting

was held at the Santiago Chamber of Commerce with an agenda

of requesting for their support in furthering of Indo-Chilean

Tea trade. They also promised help and suggested that promi-

nent Chilean buyers may be invited for a tour to the tea estates

of India and where the business meetings and partnership talks

may be held. A buyer-seller meet was organized for the interac-

tion and possible business deals between Indian exporters and

Chilean importers. A promotional film on Indian tea showcasing

the different types of teas and the gardens was shown to the au-

dience which was followed by a tea tasting session for some se-

lect Indian teas.

� Participation in “World Food Moscow 2017”: Over the last 20

years, World Food Moscow has grown to become a major meet-

ing place for the food and drinks industry and a vibrant source

of products for the Russian market. Tea Board participated in

this renowned trade exhibition by organizing an India Tea Pavil-

ion with the biggest quantum of space ever taken. Sixteen

prominent exporters participated in the exhibition through Tea

Board of India pavilion. The number of trade inquires was very

encouraging. Maximum trade inquires were for by Assam fol-

lowed by Darjeeling Tea.

A Buyers-Sellers Meet was organised where all major Tea Com-

panies, Retail Chains, Moscow Food City Representatives, Foreign

Diplomats and Government Representation were present. The event

proved to be immensely useful in business networking amongst the

exporters and the importers from the CIS Region.

� Participation in “Anuga 2017” in Cologne, Germany: Six ex-

porters co-exhibited flavoured and blended tea ranges under the

company brands in various packet sizes. Liquid tea sampling was

undertaken. The salient outcome of the participation was the

generation of a number of business leads and exploration of

business opportunities by the six exporters as a corollary to in-

tense deliberations with their potential buyers.

An all-encompassing “India branding exercise” covering

processed food, tea, coffee, rice, dairy items etc was undertaken by

IBEF marking this occasion.

Initiatives on Tea Park: The idea behind setting up a “Tea Park”

is to promote India as an Investment destination and to establish

India as a manufacturing hub by attracting the global tea brands to

India to meet their warehousing, blending, packaging & labelling re-

quirements in India as the country has a huge potential of work-

force, infrastructure, raw material and other facilities. Setting up an

integrated Tea Park with infrastructure for common facilities for use

on cost basis at suitable locations along the lines of “Dubai Multi-

modal Commodity Centre (DMCC) Tea Centre, Jebel Ali Free Zone,

Dubai” has been accorded due emphasis. These facilities may also

be availed of by the Indian exporters at reasonable prices to cater

to the export markets in a fruitful manner in order to earn better

unit export price realization. As a feasible location in the Eastern

region the area near Dhamra Port, Odisha has been identified and

the following are the steps initiated till date:

o Concept note on the project has been prepared

o Exploratory visits have been undertaken by Tea Board officials

and industry members to the port to examine the facilities on-site

o Efforts are underway to constitute a committee comprising In-

dustry members, Tea Board officials, shipping lines, Concor of-

ficial etc with suitable terms & references for undertaking a

feasibility study about the possible use of the facilities by the

Industry.

Research: Tea Board of India has been extending research sup-


port for the Indian tea industry, mainly through tea research insti-

tutes, namely, Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre

(DTR&DC), Tea Research Association (TRA), Jorhat, Assam and

United Planters’ Association of Southern India – Tea Research

Foundation (UPASI-TRF), Valparai, Tamil Nadu and Quality Con-

trol Laboratory (QCL),Siliguri. Tea Board prioritizes the areas of tea

research based on the needs of stakeholders and ensure that the re-

search outcomes are disseminated to the stakeholders. TRA and

UPASI-TRF are disseminating extension services through the net-

work of their advisory centres in different tea plantation areas in

their respective zones. These institutes are carrying out basic as well

as applied research. Tea Board is providing grants-in-aid to both

TRA and UPASI-TRF towards a part of their administrative expen-

diture on certain identified items

During the year under review, more emphasis was given to research

on plant improvement for mechanization, development of stress tol-

erant tea cultivars, genome sequencing, and mechanization of opera-

tions like pruning and plucking and quality aspects of tea. Emphasis

was given to various regulatory aspects like MRL of pesticides, imple-

mentation of Plant Protection Code (PPC) etc. in order to comply with

both the national and international regulatory standards.

The following activities/achievements made in the field of Re-

search till September, 2017are furnished below:

� In TRA - Kawasaki Project on Mechanical Harvesting results in-

dicated that, continuous machine and shear plucking yielded

4.5% and 1.6% less crop than hand plucking. However, where

machine plucking was restricted to July to September, 4% in-

crease in yield was recorded in the machine plucked plots over

hand plucking. In july, shear plucking (July-September) produced

highest percentage (23%) of broken and cut leaves followed by

continuous machine plucking (22%) and continuous shear pluck-

ing (19%). It was also found that light pruned bushes sprayed

with 2% Urea after each round of mechanized harvesting,

brought about 19% increase in cumulative yield .

� At TRA to promote research in development of drought resist-

ant tea through genetic and bioengineering, Molecular charac-

terization of nine germplasms selected from Germplasm

Reserve Block No II (NBA) with TV1, TV20, TV25 as control

under the In house project (Screening of genotypes for drought

tolerance - Plant Physiology and Breeding) are being done. DNA

was extracted from the 9 samples along with TV1, TV20 and

TV25 as control. 2 highly polymorphic ISSR primers were used

to screen the germplasms for drought tolerance. Further, stan-

dardization of another 6 ISSR primers for screening is being

carried out.

� Studies were also conducted at TRA on expression of genes by

putting water stress conditions. RNA was extracted and cDNA

prepared from 10 clones (TV21, TV26, T.3/3, TV25, TV7, Vim-

tal, CP1, Koomsong 29, Panitola 126 and Hatikhuli 311). cDNA

prepared from previously extracted 4 control and stress samples

(Koom 29 and TV7) were subjected to quantitative RT-PCR

using the primer pair for catalase gene and difference in expres-

sion was observed between control and stress samples.

� At Upasi –TRF under the project on “Incorporation of non-

chemical methods”, 30 pheromone traps were fixed in one of

the estates of Anamallais for the control of Tea Mosquito Bug

(TMB) . A total of 240 TMB trapped during the month.Forty

five kairomone traps were installed in ICM (integrated crop

management ) block for shot hole borer control and a total of

309 SHB Shot hole borer trapped during the month.

� A new sponsored field experiment on SAMARTHA (ie. Mixture

of humic acid, amino acids, seaweed extracts and triacontanol)

was initiated in one of the member estates of Anamallais to

study its influence on crop productivity in tea.

� At DTR&DC ethanol extract of Artimesia @ 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%,

2.5% and 5% exhibited varied degree of motality ranging from

52 to 100% of adult red spider mites within 96 hours of treat-

ment. Similarly, average number of eggs laid on the treated leaves

of tea with the above doses ranged from 51 to 0 after 96 hrs. of

treatment whereas the same for untreated control was 73.

� Quality Control Laboratory received accreditation for additional

20 parameters (7 pesticide residue, 4 heavy metal residue,9 quality

parmeters ) apart from 13 NABL accrediated FSSAI parameter .

Regulatory Issues and Technological Support: Research Direc-

torate of Tea Board has been pursuing regulatory issues of tea on

fixation of MRL of pesticide residue, nature identical flavour, staple

pin in tea bags issue etc with the FSSAI. It is also trying to showcase

the propargite and anthroquinone issue at 11th JWG of Indo EU

SPS TBT meeting . This division has also rendered support for

knowledge dissemination to stakeholders on non tariff barrier and

quality of tea during seminar/workshop.

� MRL Fixation: 2 GAP data of pesticides were submitted to

CIB&RC and FSSAI for revision of MRLs

� Reply to Draft notification by FSSAI on pesticide residue along

with scientific rationale was submitted by Tea Board in consul-

tation with stake holders

� Plant Protection Code: Tea Board of India has a comprehensive

guideline for safe usage of Plant Protection Formulations (PPFs)

in the tea plantations in India called “Plant Protection Code”

for the Indian tea industry. Plant Protection Code Ver 9.0 has

been released recently.

� FAO IGG on Tea Inter- sessional meeting was held in Colombo,

Sri Lanka during 12-13 August 2017 where Tea Board partici-

pated. There was sharing and exchange of scientific information

between tea producing /importing countries and research insti-

tutes related to pesticide residue, tea trade and quality, climate

change etc.

� SPS TBT issues: 72 responses were sent to SPS TBT notifica-

tions issued by different countries.

COFFEE

Coffee is cultivated in an area of around 4.49 lakh hectares pre-

dominantly in the traditional areas covering the States of Karnataka,

Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which contribute to around 97 percent of

the total production. Coffee is also cultivated to some extent in Non-

Traditional Areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and to a lesser ex-

tent in the North Eastern States viz., Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,

Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur with main em-

phasis on tribal development and afforestation. There are about 3.53

lakh coffee holdings in the country, of which around 3.50 lakh hold-

ings (99%) constitute the small growers category (up to 10 hectares

holding) and the balance 1% of the total holdings fall under the large

grower category with holding size of more than 10 hectares.

Coffee Production: The final crop estimates for 2016-17 have

been placed at 3,12,000 MT consisting of 95,000 MT of Arabica and

2,17,000 MT of Robusta. The post-blossom crop estimates for the

year 2017-18 have been placed at 3,50,400 MT comprising of

1,03,100 MT of Arabica and 2,47,300 MT of Robusta.

Productivity: Based on the estimated crop production for the

year 2016-17, the overall productivity of coffee was 761 kg/ha. The

productivity for Arabica was 786 kg/ha and for Robusta, it was 1012

kg/ha. As far as the traditional area is concerned, the overall pro-

ductivity for 2016-17 was 874 kg/ha with the productivity of Arabica

being 643 kg/ha and that of Robusta being 1016 kg/ha.

Export of Coffee: Coffee is primarily an Export Oriented

Commodity and presently 75% of Coffee is being exported while

balance is being consumed domestically. During the year 2017-18

(up to 30.09.2017), India has exported 2,08,175 MT of coffee valued


at Rs.3346.35 crores, as against the export target of 3,20,000 MTs

for 2017-18.

Export of Value Added Coffee: During 2017-18 (up to

30.09.2017), the total quantity of value added coffee exported has

reached 54,689 MT valued at Rs. 965.52 crores.

Export Promotion Measures: The export promotion scheme

is formulated to boost the export of coffee includes providing in-

centives @ Rs.3/kg for export of value added coffee in retail packs

as “India Brand” and providing incentives @ Rs.2/kg for export of

high value green coffee to the far-off destinations viz., USA, Canada,

Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Finland and Norway.

During 2017-18 (as on September 2017), the Board has participated

in 7 overseas exhibitions and organized 1 Buyer seller meets.

Flavor of India- Fine Cup Award–2017: The Coffee Board of

India is organizing Flavour of India - The Fine Cup Award Cupping

Competition every year with an objective of promoting production

of fine quality coffees. This has been successful in showcasing the

fine coffees from India in the International market.

The final cupping session of “Flavour of India-Fine cup Award

Competition 2017” was organized on 11th and 12th June, 2017 to

the “SCAE’s World of Coffee Conference 2017 at Budapest, Hun-

gary. In the final cupping session of Flavour of India, a team of 9

International Jury members participated and assessed the coffee

samples which had reached the final stage of cupping competition.

The Fine Cup Award for Flavour of India - - Cupping Compe-

tition 2017 was won by M/s Gowri Estate, Yercaud for best Arabica;

Poabs Estates (P) Ltd., Palakkad for best Specialty Arabica, Chu-

rakulam Coffee Estate, Vandiperiyar for best Robusta and Badra

Kerkiecoondah Estate for best Specialty Robusta.

Events of Flavour of India Fine Cup Award- Cupping Competition – 20171-3 :- Physical evaluation of green coffee samples at Coffee Board, Bengaluru4 :- Pre Jury Cupping at Coffee Quality Division, Coffee Board, Bengaluru5-6 :- National Jury Cupping at Coffee Quality Division, Coffee Board, Bengaluru7-8 :- International Jury Cupping at Hotel Expo Congress, Budapest, Hungary


Domestic Promotion: It is evident that for achieving long term sus-

tainability in the coffee sector in India, growth of robust domestic mar-

ket is important. Besides creating value in the sector, a robust demand

helps to create a buffer for the producers against international price

fluctuations.

In this context, the Board has taken several steps/programmes for

supporting the domestic market development of coffee, by spreading

awareness about coffee / consumption of pure coffee through generic

mass media campaigns like TV campaigns and Print media campaigns,

in the form of booklets, journals, educating the consuming public on

the positive health aspects of coffee in reputed magazines. During 2017-

18 up to September, 2017, Board participated in 9 reputed domestic ex-

hibitions, against the target of 24 events to promote coffee as a beverage

in the non-conventional coffee drinking areas.

Initiatives to promote Entrepreneurship: The Board conducts

training programmes for capacity building of stakeholders and entre-

preneurs in roasting & brewing of coffee through Kaapi Shastra Train-

ing Programmes–which are 5 day training workshops. During 2017-18,

up to September 2017, 8 programmes benefitting 154 participants have

been organized. A one year Post Graduate Diploma in Coffee Quality

Management certificate programme is being conducted by the Coffee

Board. This Diploma helps in developing professional manpower in the

area of Coffee Quality Evaluation. During the current year, 12 students

have enrolled for the programme.

Prices: Coffee prices in India are largely influenced by the New

York Exchange (NYBOT) renamed as ICE for Arabicas and London

Exchange (LIFFE) for Robustas. The international coffee prices are

volatile and have a tendency to fluctuate. After prolonged coffee crisis

which prevailed from 2000 to 2004, the international coffee prices

started recovering from 2005 onwards. The improvement in ICO in-

dicator prices was more significant from 2009 onwards reaching a

record high of US cents 300.12 per lb for Arabica coffee in April 2011

and US cents 121.98 per lb for Robusta coffee in May 2011. The inter-

national coffee prices have, however, shown a mixed trend since then.

During 2017-18 (Apr-Oct), the coffee prices at the global level have

shown downward trend but maintained the trend of 2016-17 with av-

erage price of US cents 147.92 per lb for Arabica coffee and US cents

101.56 per lb for Robusta coffee.

Research:

� Research on effective interventions for white stem borer manage-

ment has been given the priority and collaborative initiatives with

other national research institutions have been continued. In the joint

programme with Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, (IISc), a

tool using ultrasound sensing has been developed and validated with

X ray imaging. Promising leads have been obtained with Ritec system

with 1MHz transformers coupled with X-ray imaging for identifica-

tion of the pest.

� The Ecology and Ethology of Coffee White Stem Borer has been

validated in the collaborative studies with National Centre for Bio-

logical Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru. The differential responses of

the pest toward Arabica and Robusta plants have been established.

� CCRI conducted extensive field trials with new silica based chemical

molecules supplied by the M/s Tata chemicals Innovation Center,

Pune and established that the performance of CCS03 Plus against

Coffee White Stem Borer which is on par with earlier recommen-

dation of 10% lime coating of the stems.

� The promising leads obtained in stem wrapping trials have been fur-

ther taken forward and a non- woven fabric material has been intro-

duced in place of gunny strips to improve the longevity of

protection against the pest in field conditions and also to economize

the cost.

� A significant lead in breeding for white stem borer tolerance has

been achieved and S.4595 an interspecific hybrid manifesting field

tolerance to white stem borer has been identified based on field in-

fested data and systematic bioassays.

� As occurrence of Giant African Snail (GAS) has been reported in

some coffee plantations, extensive survey and awareness programmes

have been conducted covering different coffee tracts to check the

spread of the snail.

� Fifteen extended trial plots established with three promising Arabica

genotypes viz., S.4814, S.4817 and S.5146 which have superior char-

acters like highest tolerance to coffee leaf rust disease, high yield

and good quality and the field performance has been monitored in

different locations.

� The activity of production of Robusta clonal material has been con-

tinued with focus on on-farm production of clones in order to im-

prove productivity in Robusta. Supplied about 53,000 clones of elite

Robusta material for the growers for raising wood gardens for fur-

ther multiplication. On-farm production of clones has been initi-

ated in 10 locations and a total of 16 field demonstrations of the

technology were organized covering Karnataka and Kerala Regions.

� In line with the ambitious initiative of Government of India, the

Coffee Board introduced the Soil Health Cards programme and is-

sued 6550 Soil Health Cards on pilot scale. The soil health cards

enable judicious use of fertilizers, correct nutrient deficiencies and

maintain the soil health for achieving sustainable yield.

� An exclusive web portal www.indiacoffeesoils.net named KSHE-

MAM (Kappi Soil Health Monitoring and Management) has been

launched for benefit of the coffee growers.

Activities undertaken in North Eastern region: The Coffee Board

continued its efforts to promote coffee cultivation in the North Eastern

States with main emphasis on tribal development and afforestation. The

present area under coffee (2016-17) in North Eastern Region is 7501 ha

comprising of 5904 ha of Arabica and 1598 ha of Robusta with 10486

Coffee holdings. Though the rainfall spread in NER is not a limiting factor

for coffee cultivation, the low temperature in winter months does not

help to improve productivity. The coffee production in the entire NER

continued to be low on account of various factors including nonuse of

recommended inputs, non maintenance and low plant density etc.

RUBBER BOARD

The Rubber Board is a statutory body constituted under Section (4)

of the Rubber Act, 1947 and functioning under the administrative con-

trol of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Board undertakes

research, development, extension, training and regulatory activities re-

lated to natural rubber (NR). The Board also collects statistics on rub-

ber, promotes marketing of rubber and undertakes labour welfare

activities in unorganised plantations.

Production: India currently occupies the sixth position in the global

ranking in terms of production of NR by contributing 5% of the global

output. Rubber cultivation covered a total area of 818,000 hectare in the

country at the end of 2016-17. From 445,000 ha tapped area, the country

produced 691,000 tonnes of NR during 2016-17, an increase of 23%

from 562,000 tonnes a year ago. Production of NR during April to Sep-

tember 2017 is provisionally estimated at 321,000 tonnes, an increase of

5.2% from the same period a year ago. Share of untapped area declined

to 24% in 2016-17 from 30% in 2015-16 and average annual productivity

gone up to 1,553 kg per ha from 1,437 kg per ha. The growth in pro-

duction is attributed to measures taken by the Board to increase produc-

tion and productivity, relatively high rubber prices and continuation of

Rubber Production Incentive Scheme (RPIS) of Government of Kerala

for ensuring a price of Rs 150 per kg etc. The North East continued to

increase its significance in the country’s NR sector by accounting for

23% of the total area and under rubber 13% of the production during

2016-17.

Consumption: In terms of consumption of NR, India stands sec-

ond by accounting for 8.2% of the global demand. Rubber products

manufacturing industry in the country consumed 10.44 lakh tonnes of


NR during 2016-17, a growth of 5% over the previous year (6.6%

growth in auto-tyre manufacturing sector and 1.8% in general rubber

goods sector). NR consumption provisionally estimated for April to

September 2017 is 527,380 tonnes, an increase of 1.8% from the same

period a year ago.

Import and Export: Import of NR had been consistently increas-

ing from 2008-09 reaching 458,374 tonne in 2015-16. However, in 2016-

17, import of NR had declined for the first time by 7% to 426,188

tonne. During April to September 2017, the country is estimated to have

imported a total quantity of 224,793 tonnes of NR, a decline of 10.2%

as compared to 250,416 tonnes imported during the same period a year

ago. India exported 20,920 tonnes of natural rubber during 2016-17.

A total quantity of 4,175 tonnes was exported April to September 2017,

as against 525 tonnes exported during the same period a year ago.

Table 1 summarizes the trends in key parameters of the Indian

NR sector during the last three years and during the year 2017–18 up

to September.

Market and Prices Trends: From the end of November 2016,

rubber prices improved owing to a host of factors like uptrend move-

ment in crude oil prices, improved US economic outlook, supply con-

cerns due to repeated floods in South Thailand, strengthening of the

US Dollar against China’s Yuan and Japan’s Yen etc. However, inter-

national and domestic NR prices were at relatively lower levels from

April 2017 mainly due to recovery in supply from Thailand, fall in

crude oil prices and downward trends in TOCOM and Shanghai fu-

tures. July 2017 witnessed a short lived recovery in domestic rubber

prices but prices retreated towards the end of the month. Thereafter,

the NR prices in the domestic market remained more or less sideways

with some degree of volatility. By June 2017, domestic rubber prices

went above international prices after remaining below from Novem-

ber 2016. Table 2 shows the monthly average prices of comparable

grades of RSS (Ribbed Smoked Sheet) in domestic and international

markets.

Key Performance of Natural Rubber Sector

Quantity growth (%) Quantity growth (%) Import Export(Tonnes) (Tonnes) (Tonnes) (Tonnes)

2014-15 645,000 -16.7 1020,910 4.0 442,130 1,002

2015-16 562,000 -12.9 994,415 -2.6 458,374 865

2016-17 691,000 23.0 1044,075 5.0 426,188 20,920

Apr-Sept 2017 321,000 527,380 224,793 4,175(provisional)

Production Consumption

Table 2: Monthly Average Prices in Domestic and International markets ( /kg)

Months Domestic price International price Domestic price International price (RSS-4 at Kottayam) (RSS-3 at Bangkok) (RSS-4 at Kottayam) (RSS-3 at Bangkok)

April 130.62 114.16 143.39 146.25

May 130.76 112.31 130.73 141.65

June 133.75 105.56 122.38 116.27

July 141.77 117.88 133.00 113.15

August 138.50 113.05 130.63 117.75

September 121.42 108.14 134.24 119.77

October 116.92 112.53

November 122.14 126.77

December 133.70 151.05

January 146.66 176.54

February 159.42 184.51

March 150.24 158.89

Average 135.49 131.78

2016-17 2017-18


Research: Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) and its Re-

gional Research Stations located in various rubber-growing states of

the country has made remarkable progress in the following areas of

research:

� Provided testing facility and consultancy/advisory services to

NR sector.

� Task Force on Corynespora leaf disease completed assessment in

the disease prone Kasaragod region in Kerala and South Kan-

nada region in Karnataka. It is observed that the disease severity

was less compared to previous year and was more in clone RRII

105 and less in clones RRII 414 & RRII 430.

� Analysed the suitability analysis of rubber cultivation in different

LWE states. Out of a total of 285 districts analysed, 29, 75 and

145 districts could be classified under the <10, <20 and <30%

favourability respectively, from the minimum climatic factors re-

quired for rubber cultivation.

� Received 45 lakh funding from Department of Science and

Technology (DST), Government of India for the project titled

“Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Mapping for Analysing Genetic Deter-

minism of Disease Resistance and Development of DNA Marker Based

Selection Tools for Resistance Breeding in Rubber Trees”.

Central quality control lab and Central wood testing Lab

(NABL Accredited): Latex, dry rubber, water, effluent and chem-

icals were analysed and provided test reports to the clients. Central

quality control lab conducted 21 inspections from April to Septem-

ber 2017 and cleared 2.09 lakh tonnes of imported NR through

2,040 NOCs. Central wood testing lab provided the Consultancy

services for accreditation of NABL certification.

Development, Extension and Training: The Rubber Produc-

tion Department of the Board effectively facilitates transfer of tech-

nology at the grassroots level, for which the Board has a well-knit

extension network comprised of 158 Field Stations functioning at

the village level and monitored by 46 Regional Offices. Activities un-

dertaken included generation and distribution of good quality plant-

ing materials, technology-transfer by organizing trainings and mass

campaigns, formation of Rubber Producers Societies (RPS) and Self

Help Groups (SHG) of small farmers, maintenance of already raised

block plantations benefiting SC/ST communities in association with

the state governments concerned and strengthening of infrastruc-

ture for processing by setting up community processing centres.

Rubber Training Institute (RTI): The Rubber Training Insti-

tute (RTI) designed and organized various training programmes to

address changing needs of farmers, processors, product manufac-

turers, leaders of RPS, students and officials of the Rubber Board.

RTI organized 136 training programmes benefiting 2,207 partici-

pants during April to September 2017.

Labour Welfare Scheme: The Board disbursed a total amount

of ` 57.87 lakh to 7,987 beneficiaries under various Labour WelfareSchemes implemented during the period April to September 2017.

Cess: Clause (b) of Sub-section (1) of Section 9 and Section

12 of the Rubber Act relating to cess on rubber were repealed by

the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 2017 and hence there is no

cess on rubber with effect from 1st of July, the date of introduction

of GST. The GST rate for NR is 5%. Cess was collected for the

April-June quarter of 2017. The Board has collected an estimated

amount of ` 86.50 crore towards cess on natural rubber until Sep-

tember 2017 against ` 80.00 crore targeted up to June 2017. In ad-

dition, an amount of ` 0.17 crore was collected during April toSeptember 2017 towards interest on delayed payments of cess. At

the end of September 2017, there are 3,955 licenced manufacturers,

7,933 licenced dealers and 107 licenced processors.

International Cooperation: India was represented in the fol-

lowing inter-governmental events on rubber during April to Septem-

ber 2017.

1. International Seminar on NR in Roads, 27-28 April 2017,

Melaka, Malaysia

2. 4th Meeting of ANRPC Expert Group on NR Price Stabilisation

at Hat Yai, Thailand, 23-25 May 2017.

3. IRRDB Workshop on Rubber Genomics and Molecular Ge-

nomics, Rubber Research Centre of CATAS in Haikou, China,

26-30 September 2017

4. IRRDB Workshop on Rubber Genomics and Molecular Ge-

nomics, Rubber Research Centre of CATAS in Haikou, China,

26-30 September 2017

New Initiatives:

� Online fertiliser recommendation and Android App (Rub-

SIS): This highly useful online fertiliser recommendation system

for rubber growers is available in Rubber Board website and also

as an Android App for use on mobile phones. Hon’ble Minister

of Commerce & Industry, Smt Nirmala Sitaraman launched

RubSIS in January 2017 at Delhi. This is the first time such a

system is developed for rubber anywhere in the world or for any

crop in India.

� International Clone Museum: Between 2014 and 2016, 44

high yielding disease tolerant hybrid clones from 11 different

countries were imported under the multilateral clone exchange

programme of the International Rubber Research and Develop-

ment Board (IRRDB) and a Clone Museum was established at

RRII. This was opened by Smt Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secre-

tary in March 2017.

� Advanced Centre for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology:

A new laboratory block to house the Advanced Centre for Mo-

lecular Biology and Biotechnology was inaugurated by Smt Rita

Teaotia, Commerce Secretary to mark the Diamond Jubilee of

RRII in March 2017.

� GM Rubber: Permission was granted by Assam Government to

take up field trials with GM rubber in the state.

� Rubber Board’s Annual Mass Contact Programme for 2017

“Total Plantation Excellence” was conducted focusing on a

package of cultural practices that can improve profitability of

rubber cultivation by enhancing productivity, reducing cost of

production and improving quality. 811 meetings were organised

benefitting around 50,000 rubber growers.

� National Rubber Conference on Rubber Products Manu-

facturing: A two-day National Rubber Conference was con-

ducted by Rubber Board in association with Kerala State

Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) on 28 and 29 July

2017 at RRII, Kottayam with the theme “Rubber Products Man-

ufacturing: Synergizing Competencies”. The Conference was at-

tended by about 200 delegates from different parts of the

country, representing various sectors of the rubber industry

value chain, including the defence sector.

� The Board constituted a Committee on Quality of Smallholder

Sheet Rubber (CQSSR). Three working groups were formed

under the Committee to deal with issues pertaining to quality

sheet rubber, traceability and branding and skill development.

� The Board obtained the NABL accreditation for Central Wood

Testing Laboratory to continue for the year 2017–18 (up to June

2018) after successful completion of desktop surveillance audit

conducted by NABL authorities.

� The Board conducted GST awareness campaigns for the benefit

of stakeholders in rubber sector at Kottayam, Nilambur and


Chadayamangalam during May/June 2017. The Board also or-

ganized a workshop on “GST (Goods and Service Tax) and its

implications on RPS sector”.

� Skill Development Programme under PMKVY Scheme:

Rubber Board launched Skill Development Project of “Recog-

nition on Prior Learning” Programme under the Pradhan Mantri

Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme to address the skill gap

and shortage of skilled manpower through re-skilling/up-

skilling programmes in rubber plantation and industrial sector.

From April to September 2017, 555 batches were trained at var-

ious Regional Offices (ROs) of the Board in Kerala, Tripura,

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Assam benefitting 17,483 latex har-

vest/ processing technicians.

� Mobile App: The Board developed a Mobile App as part of its

e-governance initiatives with four features.

i. Alerts: Latest developments such as announcements of pro-

grammes, schemes, campaigns, labour welfare measures, train-

ings, disease identification and prevention etc.

ii. Market Price: To get the rubber prices in Indian as well as inter-

national markets.

iii. Cultural Advisories: Monthly agricultural operation for different

areas in the country.

iv. Contact details: Location of the nearest offices and facilities

Convergence Programmes: Efforts were made to formulate

and implement convergence projects in association with state gov-

ernments. Some of the projects already under implementation are

as follows:

� Intercropping of fruits and vegetables in young rubber planta-

tions and Tappers Bank under Kudumbasree project for women

empowerment in Kerala.

� Establishment of group processing centres, assistance for inter-

cropping and soil and water conservation programmes under

MGNREGS in Odisha.

� Supply of sheeting rollers in Arunachal Pradesh

� Rainwater harvesting on a pilot basis under MGNREGS and

short term training programmes under Skill Development Mis-

sion in Tripura.

SPICES BOARD

Spices Board was constituted as a statutory body on February,

1987 under Section (3) of the Spices Board Act, 1986. The Board

is responsible for the research, development, marketing of car-

damom and export promotion of 52 spices as scheduled under the

Spices Board Act, 1986. The functions of the Board include imple-

mentation of development programmes for small and large car-

damom, implementation of programmes for export development

and promotion, regulation of export of spices and control on quality

of spices for export. The Board is issuing Certificate of Registra-

tion as Exporter of Spices (CRES) and issue of Cardamom Dealers

and Auctioneers Licenses. The Board has been undertaking various

programmes and projects like support for infrastructure improve-

ment in spices processing, assisting and encouraging studies and re-

search on medicinal properties of spices, development of new

products, improvement of processing, grading and packaging of

spices, setting up of spices parks; striving towards stabilization of

prices of spices for export and controlling & upgrading quality for

export (including setting up of Regional Quality Evaluation Labo-

ratories and training centres) for promotion of export of spices and

spice products.

Export: Despite stiff global competition, Indian spices exports

have been able to continue its increasing trend during 2016-17 also.

During the period the period the Spices export from India attained

an all time record in both volume and earnings. During 2016-17, a

total of 9,47,790 tons of spices and spice products valued

Rs.17664.61 crore (US$2633.30 Million) has been exported from the

country as against 8,43,255 tons valued Rs.16238.23 crore (US$

2482.83 Million) in 2015-16 registering an increase of 12% in vol-

ume, 9% in rupee terms and 6% in dollar terms of value.

During April-June 2017 a total of 3,06,990 tonnes of spices and

spice products valued Rs.4589.14 crores (US$711.20 Million) has

been exported from the country as against 2,27,938 tonnes valued

Rs. 4482.13 crores (US$ 670.17 Million) in April-June 2016 register-

ing an increase of 35% in volume and 2% in rupee terms and 6%

in dollar terms of value.

Import: India imports spices mainly pepper, turmeric, ginger for

the value addition for re-export and spices items such as clove, cassia,

star anise, poppy seed, etc. for use of domestic consumption due to

insufficient production in India. The import of spices during 2016-

17 was 203,225 tones valued at Rs.4606.93 crore (US$ 686.78 million).

Cardamom Production: During 2016-17, the estimated produc-

tion of Cardamom Small in India is 19,625 MT as against 23,890

MT during 2015-16 registering a decline of 17.85 % which is mainly

attributed to the drought/long dry spell coupled with high temper-

ature prevailed in the cardamom growing areas particularly in Idukki

District of Kerala. During 2016-17, the estimated production of

Cardamom Large in India is 5623 MT as against 5315 MT during

2015-16 registering an increase of 5.79% in production due to im-

plementation of development schemes for large cardamom by Board

and favourable climatic conditions.

Plan Schemes

Export Oriented Production: The main objective of this

scheme is to improve the productivity and production of cardamom

(small & large) and produce quality spices for export. During 2017-

18 it is envisaged to cover about 520 Ha of Small Cardamom and

1000 Ha of Large Cardamom under replanting scheme.

Export Development & Promotion of spices: To encourage

higher end value addition in spice processing and scientific facility

for ensuring quality and food safety, the market development activ-

ities of the Board have its focus on technology & process up-grada-

tion. The major thrust areas are infrastructure development,

research on new applications of spices & new innovative product

development, promotion of Indian Spice Brand abroad, setting up

of Infrastructure for common cleaning, grading, processing, pack-

ing, storing facilities (Spices Park) in major spice growing/marketing

centres, promotion of organic spices/GI spices etc. Special pro-

grammes are proposed for North East Entrepreneur’s. The spice

industry is facilitated through its Regional offices spread all over

India.

Export Oriented Research: Indian Cardamom Research Insti-

tute undertakes research programmes mainly on Crop Improvement,

Biotechnological interventions, Soil testing based Nutrient Manage-

ment studies, Pest and Disease Management, Farm mechanization

feasibility and harvest and post-harvest studies in small and large

cardamoms. During the reporting period, Crop improvement trials

under All India Co-ordinate Research Project (AICRP -spices) and

Distinct Unique Stability (DUS) programmes were continued. Ten

accessions of small cardamom were collected and added to the

germplasm conservatory. Initiated trials to evaluate, nine farmers’

varieties (land races) as well as drought tolerant and thrips tolerant

lines of small cardamom. Black pepper and Vanilla multiplication

programmes were continued.

As part of biocontrol measures, 1,14,460 numbers of EPN (En-

tomo Pathogenic Nematode) were produced and supplied to needy


farmers for control of cardamom root grubs. Ongoing project under

the Area Wide Integrated pest Management (AWIPM) to develop

integrated wilt diseases management in Black pepper for Idukki dis-

trict at ICRI Myladumpara funded by Kerala State Planning Board

in collaboration with Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut

was completed. Trials on spraying fungicide Fosetyl –Al 80 WP was

found to reduce the incidence of Phytophthora infections in small car-

damom. Bioagents such as Pseudomonas fluorescens (1204 L) and Tri-

choderma harzianum (626 L) were produced and distributed to farmers.

Services such as Cfu analysis of organic manure samples (10 no.s)

received from farmers were carried out. Scientific advice on disease

management in small cardamom was extended to 242 farmers who

visited the division seeking advices. Organized nine Spice Clinics

and four hands on training programmes on Biocontrol Agent pro-

duction, in Idukki District during the period.

Research achievements were delivered to farmers/stakeholders

through Transfer of Technology programmes such as spice clinics,

hands on training programmes, supply of bio control agents, quality

planting materials and weather forecast information. Advisory serv-

ices on different aspects related to cardamom and other spice crops

cultivation including disease diagnosis, soil testing services, mass

multiplication and supply of bio control agents were carried out.

During the period under field advisory services, scientists visited 68

plantations and gave spot advisory services to farmers on integrated

disease management for small cardamom and black pepper. Research

programmes of large cardamom were continued at ICRI, RRS, Ta-

dong.

Quality improvement: The Quality Evaluation Laboratories of

the Spices Board provide analytical service to the spice industry and

control the quality of spices and spice products exported from the

country through mandatory testing and certification. During the pe-

riod April to September, 2017, the laboratory analyzed 41,990 sam-

ples for various parameters including Mycotoxins, Pesticide residues,

Illegal dyes in chillies and chili products etc. During 2016-17,

1,06,811 samples were analysed by the laboratory.

Spices Board is in the process of setting up a centre of excel-

lence laboratory for Microbial analysis to implement a comprehen-

sive screening for microbial parameters for export consignment of

spices. Board’s Labs are installed with rapid and modern analytical

techniques like RT PCR, VIDAS System, MALDI-TOF system etc.

procured under the ASIDE Scheme allocated in 2015 and all the

equipments are under standardization. Mandatory inspection for

the clearance Salmonella contamination on selected spices shall also

be implemented during the financial year 2016-17 to eliminate the

detention of consignments at US port due to Salmonella contami-

nation.

MIDH/RKVY Projects: Spices Board, as National Level

Agency, under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

[MIDH], Ministry of Agriculture, has received approval for imple-

menting post-harvest improvement of Spices at a total financial as-

sistance of Rs.200 lakh during 2017-18. The Board is also

implementing the programmes for development of spices under

RKVY in the state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Spice Development Agencies [SDA]: In order to have synergy

and convergence of activities for development of Spices by different

State/Central agencies, Government of India has established 11

Spice Development Agencies (SDAs) in major spice growing

States/Region of the country, viz Haveri in Karnataka, Erode in

Tamilnadu, Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Unjha

in Gujarat, Barabanki in UP, Gangtok in Sikkim Guwahati in Assam,

Guna in Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai in Maharashtra and Warangal in

Telangana. SDAs have the mandate to formulate programmes for

addressing issues related to the production, quality, domestic mar-

keting and export of spices in the region. The SDAs will be helpful

in boosting production, development and export of spices by ad-

dressing the State/ Region specific issues related to production,

post-harvest operations, quality etc. Actions have been initiated as

per the decisions taken in SDA meetings.

Saffron Production and Export Development Agency

[SPEDA]: The Govt of India has established Saffron Production

and Export Development Agency [SPEDA] at Srinagar for promot-

ing co-ordination of research, development, domestic marketing and

export promotion of saffron in Jammu & Kashmir. Board has ex-

tended financial assistance of Rs.1 lakh to Sher-e-Kashmir Univer-

sity of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Kashmir for conduct

of National Seminar on Saffron Production and Promotion during

2017-18.

GMS [Grant Management System]: The Board is implement-

ing Grant Management System [GMS], online software for entering

applications, inspections reports and payment of subsidy into the

farmer's bank accounts under various development programmes.

Aadhar is made mandatory in the software to avail benefit under-

taken by Board's schemes.

Spices Park: In spices growing regions in India, Spices Parks

are developed by the Board to support the farmers for better price

realization for their produce. The farmers can utilize the common

infrastructure facilities for cleaning, grading and steam sterilization

enhance the quality of the product for fetching higher price. These

parks provide the facilities of scientific packing and warehousing

and a quality testing laboratory to improve the overall quality of

spices produced in the locality. The Board had established Spices

Park at Chhindwara and Guna in Madhya Pradesh; Puttadi in Kerala;

Jodhpur in Rajasthan; Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu and Guntur in

Andhra Pradesh, Also completed Spice Parks at Kota, in Rajastan

and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.

Codex Committee on Spices & Culinary Herbs: The Codex

Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) was approved

at the 36th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission held at

the FAO Headquarters, Rome during July 2013. The Secretariat of

the CCSCH is functioning in Spices Board. After successful conduct

of the first Session of the CCSCH held during 11th to 14th February

2014 in Cochin, Kerala, the second session of CCSCH was convened

during 14th to 18th September 2015 at Goa. The third session was

held in Chennai from 6th to 10th February 2017.

e-Spice Bazaar: e-Spice Bazaar, a digital platform initiated by the

Spices Board in association with Department of Electronics and In-

formation Technology (DeitY), GoI is aimed at the spice traceability

and better price realization to spice farmers. The project is presently

focused on Warangal and Khammam districts in Telangana, Guntur

and Prakasam districts in Andhra Pradesh. The project during the

period 2016-17 covered 52,745 farmer of which 11,138 are turmeric

farmers and 41,607 are chilli farmers. Global location numbers are

allotted to the farmers. The web portal www.espicebazaar.com is

now functional.

Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops (RISPC)

Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops is an improved

and modified form of Price Stabilization Fund(PSF) scheme im-

plemented by the Department of Commerce from 2003 to 2013 for

the growers of plantation crops viz., Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Tobacco

and Spices in all States. Under the scheme, a Corpus of Rs. 435.55

crore (Govt. of India contribution of Rs. 432.88 crores and growers’

contribution (towards entry fee) of Rs. 2.67 crores was created and

kept in the Public Account of Government of India. The scheme

was implemented with interest earnings on the Corpus Fund. Both

these schemes were closed on 30.9.2013. Thereafter, a Modified


Price Stabilization Fund Scheme was formulated, which was dis-

cussed in the meeting held on 4/6/2014 under the chairpersonship

of Secretary (Expenditure). It was decided in the meeting that avail-

able fund in PSF Corpus may be utilized by the Department of

Commerce to implement a modified insurance premium subvention

scheme for the small growers of plantation crops. Accordingly, De-

partment of Commerce approved and operationalized an Insurance

based pilot scheme for small growers of Coffee, Tea, Rubber and

Cardamom having land holding upto 10 hactares to protect them

from the twin risks of weather and prices arising from yield loss due

to adverse weather parameters, pest attacks etc. and from income

loss caused by fall in international/ domestic prices through crop

insurance mechanism to ensure their sustainability.

RISPC has been approved on pilot basis for implementation in

nine districts of seven State for one crop cycle, which may spread

over two years. Insurance premium subvention under RISPC is ap-

plicable for small growers of Rubber, Tea, Coffee(Robusta & Ara-

bica), Tobacco and Cardamom(Small & Large). Large growers can

also participate in the scheme by paying the actuarial premium as

they are not eligible for premium subsidy. The pilot scheme is to be

implemented by Commodity Boards through selected Insurance

Companies mainly engaged in agriculture/rural insurance business.

The pilot scheme is expected to benefit around 1.82 lakhs small

growers in the selected 9 districts of 7 States viz. Karnataka, Kerala,

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bangal, Assam and Sikkim, cov-

ering an area of around 2.15 lakh ha.

The pilot scheme has been approved with an estimated cost of

Rs.168.77 crores, to be shared by the Central Government (through

Commodity Boards), concerned State Governments and growers in

the ratio of 75:15:10. Government of India’s share of premium will

be met from funds available in the PSF Corpus vested in the Public

Account of Government of India. After evaluating the outcome of

the scheme, decision regarding extension of the scheme to other

plantation districts will be taken.

AGRICULTURAL AND PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS

EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (APEDA)

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Devel-

opment Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of

India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export

Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December,

1985. The Authority with its headquarters at New Delhi, is headed

by Chairman, APEDA has been serving the agri-export community

for the last 31 years. In order to reach out to the exporters in dif-

ferent parts of the Country, APEDA has set up 5 Regional Offices

at Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata & Guwahati.

APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility of export

promotion and development of 14 agricultural and processed food

products groups listed in the First Schedule of the APEDA Act.

Basmati Rice has been included in the Second Schedule of APEDA

Act. In addition to this, APEDA has been entrusted with the re-

sponsibility to monitor the import of sugar as well.

APEDA also functions as the Secretariat of the Certification

Bodies under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)

for Organic exports. `Organic Products’ for export are to be certi-

fied only if produced, processed and packed as per the standards

laid down in the document `National Programme for Organic Pro-

duction (NPOP).’

APEDA has been actively engaged in the development of mar-

kets besides upgradation of infrastructure and quality to promote

the export of agro products. In its endeavour to promote agro ex-

port, APEDA under its Plan Scheme titled `Agricultural Export Pro-

motion Scheme of APEDA’ provides financial assistance to the

registered exporters under sub-components of the scheme – Market

Development, Infrastructure Development and Quality Develop-

ment.

Agricultural Export Promotion Scheme

Outcomes and Deliverables

Despite distinctive advantages in agriculture sector, India’s share

in global exports of agri and food products is small and has potential

for growth. India ranks 9thin agricultural exports and as per the

WTO, the world exports in agricultural products stood at $ 1,590

billion in 2015 and India’s share of this was 2.2 percent and has

shown remarkable increase from 1.52% in 2009 due to consistent

support extended to exporters.

In view of the above, development of a strong supply chain in-

frastructure is critical for the growth of the agro and food sector

particularly for exports. The second estimate, as per Ministry of

Agriculture for 2016-17 for production of fruits and vegetables in

India is about 92.85 million tonnes and 175.20 million tonnes re-

spectively. However, significant quantity of the produce is wasted

due to lack of adequate infrastructure for post-harvest handling,

transportation and storage. Therefore, the efforts for upgradation

of post-harvest handling, distribution and marketing facilities, initi-

ated in last one decade, need to be continued to preserve the quality

of fresh produce which can result in lower wastage levels.


India's Export of APEDA Products

Qty Rs. US$ Qty Rs. US$ Qty Rs. US$ Rs. US$ Crore Mill Crore Mill Crore Mill Crore Mill

Basmati Rice 4045796 22718 3478 4000472 21605 3230 1559396 10136 1573 -4.90 -7.12

Buffalo Meat 1314473 26685 4069 1330660 26308 3934 373870 7326 1137 -1.41 -3.33

Non Basmati Rice 6366586 15129 2315 6820773 17145 2564 2419066 6396 992 13.33 10.76

Guargum 325251 3234 497 423286 3132 468 177498 1429 222 -3.16 -5.77

Cereal Preparations 314645 3341 511 340872 3573 534 110578 1143 177 6.92 4.61

Other Processed Fruits 320733 2900 443 351835 3116 466 118840 1066 165 7.44 5.25& Vegetables

Groundnuts 537888 4046 616 726536 5457 813 126697 968 150 34.87 32.07

Miscellaneous 354905 2593 396 283265 2570 385 95575 895 139 -0.89 -3.00Preparations

Fresh Onions 1201245 2747 420 2415757 3107 464 635822 767 119 13.07 10.57

Other Fresh Vegetables 699600 2120 324 1002397 2815 421 245300 724 112 32.83 29.91

Alcoholic Beverages 239128 2005 306 231332 2001 299 81200 673 104 -0.22 -2.40

Other Fresh Fruits 308261 1538 234 409939 1859 278 118313 579 90 20.85 18.51

Pulses 251644 1603 244 124884 1140 171 53512 541 84 -28.88 -29.93

Jaggery & Confectionery 292212 1289 197 298076 1472 220 81655 434 67 14.15 11.78

Fresh Grapes 156218 1551 232 232941 2088 314 50070 419 65 34.62 35.35

Sheep/Goat Meat 21636 834 128 22060 871 130 9321 360 56 4.46 1.87

Fresh Mangoes 36329 317 50 53177 446 67 42520 335 52 40.51 35.75

Dried & Preserved 66190 914 139 87280 1089 163 30767 333 52 19.07 16.79Vegetables

Cocoa Products 32634 1267 193 25700 1090 163 8986 329 51 -13.97 -15.53

Maize 650103 1090 167 569297 1030 154 162533 274 42 -5.47 -8.06

Fruits & Vegetables Seeds 10926 494 75 11638 527 79 2387 267 41 6.86 4.92

Milled Products 416079 1078 165 256605 818 122 81157 263 41 -24.18 -26.02

Dairy Products 33377 754 115 39398 910 136 11275 261 41 20.72 18.24

Cucumber and Gherkins 202927 999 152 180821 943 141 48691 260 40 -5.65 -7.30( Prepd. & Presvd)

Natural Honey 38177 706 109 45538 563 84 19168 245 38 -20.21 -22.41

Mango Pulp 128866 796 121 135621 865 129 26522 171 26 8.64 6.60

Wheat 618020 979 152 265909 448 67 99909 167 26 -54.18 -55.58

Floriculture 22519 479 73 22086 549 82 6989 165 26 14.46 12.11

Poultry Products 659304 769 117 449527 532 80 128525 155 24 -30.84 -32.29

Other Cereals 264974 517 80 168642 396 59 36984 97 15 -23.47 -25.59

Casein 5898 216 33 6215 241 36 680 28 4 11.64 8.88

Animal Casings 206 17 3 173 14 2 831 23 4 -18.68 -20.69

Albumin( Eggs & Milk) 1934 150 23 1706 88 13 546 22 3 -41.31 -42.55

Walnuts 3292 118 18 2191 55 8 563 19 3 -53.13 -53.88

Processed Meat 280.92 6.18 0.96 140.90 4.58 0.69 37.40 1.38 0.21 -25.89 -28.13

Other Meat 0.10 0.00 0.00 78.51 0.91 0.14 7.01 0.18 0.03 100.00 100.00

Total 19942257 106002 16196 21336829 108867 16278 6965789 37270 5782 2.70 0.51

Qty In MT; Value in Rs. Crore & US$ Million

Source: DGCIS

Product 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 (April-July) %Growth in 2016-17 from 2015-16


Export Promotion Initiatives

� Development and implementation of Farmer Connect Mobile

App for farmer registration in HortiNet and BasmatiRice.Net.

� Online farmer registration module was developed for traceability

of 11 vegetables. Registration of farmer is expanding upto

Tehsil / Taluk level of each state under Horti Net traceability

system.

� As per the new DGFT notification No. 28/2015-2020 dated 15-

09-2017, a paperless issuance of RCAC for export of Pulses has

been developed and implemented for the stakeholder.

� Participated and represented APEDA in the Indian Delegation

to 20th Session of Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Veg-

etables Kampala Uganda 1-6 October 2017.

� Participated and represented APEDA in the Indian Delegation

to 11th Session of Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food

Rio de Janeiro Brazil 3-7 April 17.

� Export of Mango to USA has got increased to 1055.062 MT in

comparison to 767.38 MT last year.

� South Korea granted market access for mangoes in June 2016.

During the mango export season 2017, two QIA- inspectors

were stationed at four VHT facilities for on-site clearance pro-

gramme. The export of mangoes to South Korea was 66MT in

the mango season 2017. A mango promotion programme was

organised in Seoul and Busan in South Korea 25th to 27th May,

2017.

� Two members Iranian Delegation visited India from 21-28 April

2017 to verify the HWT facilities for export of HWT treated

mangoes from India to Iran. During their visit the delegation

approved five facilities i.e. four from Western and one from

Northern parts of India. (22.79 MT of mangoes were exported

from India to Iran)

� Market access for export of Grapes to Canada has been has been

achieved and 14 numbers of containers were exported in the last

grape season.

� From Vidharbha region, export of banana G-9 Variety (i.e.

Cavendish dwarf) was undertaken by sea shipment to Dubai by

M/s INI Farms, Mumbai. This was an outcome of the outreach

programme organized by APEDA, Mumbai in Akola region.

The efforts have been made by APEDA to promote and stabi-

lized the Banana exports from Vidharbha Region on regular

basis.

� Training programmes for litchi growers and stakeholders was or-

ganised through ICAR-NRC on Litchi, Muzaffarpur in the State

of Bihar.

� Packaging standards have been developed for following fresh

fruits and vegetable through Indian Institute of packaging

� APEDA took initiatives in paperless processing and imple-

mented online issuance of Certificate of Export (CoE) for

peanut and peanut products through digital signature. Therefore,

APEDA has issued 8696 CoEs during April to September 2017.

It is pertinent to mentioned that about 90% CoEs were issued

on the same day with the implementation of the paperless pro-

cessing of CoEs.

� APEDA also implemented paperless filing, processing and cer-

tification of Peanut and Peanut Products (PPP) unit registration

system. APEDA issued 36 nos. of PPP unit registration certifi-

cates after inspection and recommendation of the inspection

Committee and following the procedure prescribed procedure.

While 15 certificates were issued after amendments in the Unit

registration as per request of the units.

� As per DoC, MoC&I Public Notice No 24 2015-2020 dated

29.09.2017, APEDA is added at Serial No.17 of Appendix 2C

[Agencies Authorized to issue GSP Certification] and at Serial

No.15 (Delhi) of Appendix 2E [List of Agencies Authorized to

issue Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential)] of Appendices &

Aayat Niryat Forms of FTP 2015-20 for issuing GSP certificate

and certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential).

� APEDA is organising the training programmes for the exporters

of processed food products who are exporting or willing to ex-

port to USA on Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance

(FSPCA) Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF).

� The AQSIQ, China team visited India in September 2016 for

field verification of 19 units and have subsequently conveyed

approval of 14 rice establishments in November, 2016 for ex-

port of Basmati rice to China. Export of non-Basmati rice to

China is expected to be approved after technical discussions be-

tween AQSIQ and NPPO India for amendment of protocol.

� APEDA organized 15 field workshops through BEDF in asso-

ciation with AIREA, KVK and State Agriculture Departments

to educate farmers and exporters about judicious use of Pesti-

cides during 2017-18.

� Inclusion of new product categories of Organic Mushrooms,

Organic Seaweed, Aquatic Plants and Green House Crop Pro-

duction under NPOP Standards.

� Revision of livestock standards and inclusion of group certifi-

cation.

� Online module for application and issuance of RCAC for Or-

ganic pulses has been developed and implemented for Stream-

lining of RCAC issuance for organic products.

� Visit of Malaysian Delegation from 13.8.2017 to 24.8.2017 for

inspection and approval of meat processing plants. The delega-

tion visited nine plants in the states of Punjab, Maharashtra,

Telangana and AP. The report of delegation is awaited. Further,

efforts are being made for inspection of meat plants by the

Malaysian delegation in the state of UP.

� Visit of delegation from Angola for inspection and approval of

meat plants from 28th April to 5th May, 2017. The delegation

has approved 8 meat plants.

International Trade Fairs and Promotion Programmes

during 2017-18:

� To create and tap markets and enhance the brand image,

APEDA designs and delivers various promotional activities for

its products. Participation in international trade fairs, commod-

ity-specific promotional campaigns, brand promotion through

publicity and organizing exporter importer meets are amongst

the few in this respect. Promotional campaigns for Indian Bas-

mati Rice, Indian Fruits, Indian Beer, Indian Wines, Indian Cur-

ries and Indian Snacks have already been launched by APEDA

at major trade fairs across the world.

� The current financial year 2017-18, APEDA had/will participate

in Seven (9) International fairs and Four (3) Generic/Brand pro-

motion program on Indian Food products i.e. Indian Wine de-

hydrated products, Ethnic products, pulps and cereal


preparations and rice.

TOBACCO BOARD

Tobacco Board was established on 01/01/1976 under the pro-

visions of the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 with its Head Quarters at

Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Tobacco Board is headed by a Chairman.

The important functions of the Tobacco Board are :

� Regulating the production and curing the Virginia tobacco to

match demand in India and abroad.

� Propagating information useful to the growers, dealers and ex-

porters (including packers) of Virginia tobacco and manufactur-

ers of Virginia tobacco products.

� Promoting the grading of tobacco at the level of the growers.

� Establishment of auction platforms for the sale of Virginia to-

bacco and function as auctioneer.

� Maintenance and improvement of existing markets and devel-

opment of new markets outside India.

� Keeping a constant watch on the Virginia tobacco market, both

in India and abroad and ensuring fair and remunerative price

for the same.

� Purchasing Virginia tobacco from the growers when the same is

considered necessary or expedient for protecting the interest of

growers with the approval of the Government of India.

FCV Tobacco Production in India: FCV tobacco production in

the last ten years had been fluctuating from year to year. These fluc-

tuations reflect weather impacts on yield as well as market dynamics

in terms of price elasticity of supply. FCV tobacco production has

registered a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of -2.13%

during the period 2007-08 to 2016-17.

The production of FCV tobacco in 2017-18 is estimated at

239.05 million kg as against 204.07 million kg produced during last

year. The production of FCV tobacco in Karnataka is estimated at

103.05 million kg and that of Andhra Pradesh at 136.00 million kg.

FCV tobacco is cultivated in about 1.37 lakh hectares during 2016-

17. In 2017-18, the area under FCV tobacco is 0.81 lakh hectares in

Karnataka and the plantations in Andhra Pradesh are still in

progress.

FCV Tobacco Production Regulation

One of the important functions of the Tobacco Board is to reg-

ulate the production of Virginia Tobacco to match the demand for

Indian tobacco so as to ensure fair and remunerative prices to the

growers for their produce. This objective is sought to be achieved

by fixing crop size and by registering commercial nurserymen, to-

bacco growers and barn operators every year. The Board decides the

crop size of FCV Tobacco, considering various factors like demand

and supply situations in domestic and international markets, mar-

ketability of different types of FCV tobacco, carryover stocks, trends

in cigarette production and consumption.

FCV crop production policy

During 2017-18, Tobacco Board had fixed a crop size of 235

million kg for cultivation of FCV tobacco in India as against 225

million kg fixed during the last year. Tobacco Board has fixed a crop

size of 99 million kg in Karnataka for 2017-18 crop season as against

95 million kg fixed during 2016-17 crop season. For the State of

Andhra Pradesh, the Board has fixed a crop size of 136 million kg

as against 130 million kg fixed during the last year.

Soil Testing Services to Growers

Tobacco Board every year undertakes analysis of soil and water

samples collected from grower’s fields at free of cost to advise grow-

ers on suitability of soil and irrigation water used for tobacco culti-

vation and quantity of fertilizers to be used for tobacco cultivation.

During 2017-18 crop season, 2300 soil samples and 625 water sam-

ples in Andhra Pradesh are analysed at Tobacco Board’s Soil Testing

Laboratory at Ongole and based on the analysis results, growers are

advised about suitability of soil and dosage of fertilizers to be used.

Similarly in Karnataka, about 4,200 soil samples are analyzed and

growers are suitably advised. In addition to the above, 974 soil sam-

ples in Andhra Pradesh and 180 soil samples in Karnataka are ana-

lyzed for micro nutrients – Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu during 2017-18 crop

season.

Extension & Development Activities:

The Tobacco Board provides a comprehensive package of sup-

port and Extension services to farmers through supply of inputs

at competitive prices by extending subsidy to some extent for im-

proving the productivity and quality of Tobacco, thus helping the

farming community. Hence, every year Board implements various

Extension and Developmental Schemes with its own funds through

supply of inputs and imparting training to farmers at every crop

growth stage.

TOBACCO AUCTIONS

The Auction system for sale of FCV tobacco was introduced for

the 1st time in Karnataka in 1984 followed by Andhra Pradesh in

1985.

FCV TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN INDIA (In M.Kgs)


In Andhra Pradesh 2016-17 crop season, a total quantity of

102.46 mkg (million kg) of tobacco was marketed at an average price

of ₹133.70 per kg between 01/04/2017 to 09/10/2017 (the auctionsales were concluded on 09/10/2017). In Karnataka 2017-18 crop

season, a total quantity of 11.50 mkg of tobacco was marketed at

an average price of ₹139.14 per kg between 08/09/2017 &12/10/2017 (The auction sales were commenced from 08/09/2017).

It is estimated that the total estimated production is 103.05 mkg at

the beginning of the season as against the targeted crop size of 99

mkg fixed by the Board.

Growers Welfare Fund Initiatives:

Tobacco Board is undertaking various welfare measures, to

ensure overall welfare of around 89000 Tobacco Growers and

their families in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telan-

gana & Odisha by establishing “Tobacco Board’s Growers’ Wel-

fare Schemes” in 2009-10 with the approval of Department of

Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of

India.

The Welfare Scheme provides financial assistance, in the form

of Death Grants and Interest Free Loans, to perform Girl Marriage,

Education of Dependant Children, Treatment for major Illness /

Accident cases requiring surgery and repairs to barns damaged due

to Natural Calamities / Fire Accidents. Since the inception of the

scheme, Tobacco Board had provided financial relief to 11992 grow-

ers, in terms of Grants and Loans so far. Grants worth Rs.27.14

crores were sanctioned to 8596 beneficiaries and interest free loans

of Rs.6.14 crores were sanctioned to 3396 growers.

For the financial year 2017-18 as on date, Rs. 4.94 crores were

disbursed in the form of Grants and Rs. 0.94 crores in the form of

Interest Free Loans, totaling to Rs. 5.88 crores. The details of

Grants/Interest Free Loans extended scheme wise to as on date for

the year 2017-18 are as follows:

MARKETING AND EXPORTS

The exports of tobacco and tobacco products during 2016-17

were 231800 tons valued at Rs.5975.08 crores (891.91 M.US$) as

against 243418 tons valued at Rs.6058.13 crores (925.33 M.US$) ex-

ported in 2015-16.

Exports of tobacco & tobacco products during the period under

report have declined by 5%, 1% and 4& in terms of quantity, value

in rupees and in US dollars respectively compared to the exports

made during the previous year.

Participation in International Fairs / Exhibition

Tobacco Board is participating in International Tobacco Exhi-

bition “World Tobacco Middle East 2017” scheduled to be held from

5-6 December 2017 at Dubai, UAE with the objective of Brand

building and export promotion of Indian tobacco & tobacco prod-

ucts in the international markets.

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF COMMERCIAL INTELLI-

GENCE AND STATISTICS (DGCI&S)

The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics

(DGCIS) is a Subordinate Office of Department of Commerce

(DoC) under the administrative and financial control of DGFT,

DoC. This Directorate, with its office located at Kolkata, is headed

by the Director General. It is entrusted with the work of collecting,

compiling and disseminating trade statistics and various types of

commercial information required by the policy makers, researchers,

importers, exporters, traders as well as international organizations.

It is the first large scale data processing organization in the country

with ISO certification for compilation and dissemination of India’s

foreign trade statistics, which has been upgraded to ISO 9001:2015

during this year.

Data Receipt in DGCI&S

DGCI&S receives the basic data in the form of DTRs (Daily

Trade Returns) from different Customs formations and the Special

Economic Zones (SEZs) as a part of the administrative data gener-

ated whenever any international merchandise trade takes place. The

Customs Authority transmits these DTRs in three different modes,

namely, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Non-EDI and Manual.

The EDI data is transmitted on-line daily through Indian Customs

EDI Gateway (ICEGATE). From the remaining Ports the monthly

merchandise trade data is transmitted through e-mail or CD or

through manually typed/ hand written paper schedules. DTRs from

the SEZs are being received through NSDL on a daily basis. DGCIS

processes and compiles the raw data received using state-of-the-art

technology.

Volume of Data and percentage Contribution by Type of DTR

during 2013-14 to 2015-16

The number of records being processed in DGCIS has been

steadily increasing over the years. From 39.00 lakh records processed

in 2000-01, the number has increased to 186.73 lakh in 2016-17. Till

October 2017, about 115.42 lakh records have already been

processed. The number of records processed during the last 3 years,

the distribution of records by type of transactions and by values is

shown in the following Tables:

Table: 1 Number of Records Processed 2015-16 to 2017-18

Year Export Import Total

2015-16 9740368 8015898 17756266

2016-17 10482527 8190493 18673020

2017-18* 5262231 6279708 11541939(up to October’17)

* Figures for 2017-18 are provisional

Table: 2 Percentage of Records Processed by type of record


EDI Non-EDI Manual EDI Non-EDI Manual EDI Non-EDI Manual

2015-16 89.99 9.12 0.89 94.05 5.85 0.10 91.83 7.64 0.53

2016-17 90.31 9.13 0.56 94.08 5.88 0.04 91.96 7.71 0.33

Apr-Oct, 2017* 92.78 7.00 0.22 94.60 5.39 0.01 93.61 6.27 0.12



Release of Foreign Trade Data

DGCI&S has drastically reduced time-lag in all its releases and

have made the data dissemination process more user-friendly

based on the suggestions of stakeholders. The foreign trade data

compiled by the Directorate are disseminated through (i) Monthly

Press Release brought out by the Department of Commerce

within fortnight of the following month, (ii) the Principal com-

modity-wise data is now available within a month and (iii) 8-digit

item level data within two months. Web based module for on-line

data dissemination, viz., Foreign Trade Dissemination Portal

(FDDP) giving direct access to both the provisional and finalized

data-set.

Area of new initiatives

DGCI&S has been declared as the nodal agency for compilation

of services trade statistics in the country. Statistics on Services Trade

compiled by RBI following the standard classification as stipulated

under the IMF’s Balance of Payment Manual does not meet the re-

quirement for disaggregate level Services Trade Data – by partner

country and mode of delivery.

The Technical Group, headed by Director General, DGCIS con-

stituted by the Department of Commerce recommended for con-

duct of separate surveys at regular intervals to ensure a complete

coverage of all the important services categories by partner country

and mode of delivery. In addition to pilot studies, DGCIS has so far

conducted an all India survey on exports of Health Services with

2015-16 as the reference period. Report of this survey has been re-

leased in April 2017.

Currently, an all-India survey on exports of ICT- enabled serv-

ices is in progress and expected to release report by the end of

March 2018. Surveys on exports of (i) Education Services, (ii) In-

surance services and a repeat survey on (iii) Health Services (refer-

ence period 2016-17) are likely to be launched during

November/December 2017, the report of which is scheduled to be

released by the end of June 2018.

GOVERNMENT E-MARKETPLACE (GEM)

The Union Cabinet chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 12th

April 2017 gave its approval for setting up of a Special Purpose Ve-

hicle to be called Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV) as the Na-

tional Public Procurement Portal as Section 8 Company registered

under the Companies Act, 2013, for providing procurement of

goods & services required by Central & State Government organi-

zations. In view of setting up of GeM SPV, the Cabinet also ap-

proved closure of DGS&D by 31.10.2017. The process of winding

up was initiated and all Regional Offices/Directorates of DGS&D

across India were closed. The closure of DGS&D was effected on

31.10.2017.

Accordingly, a Company Government e-Marketplace was incor-

porated as a 100% Government owned, ‘Not for Profit’ company

on 17th May 2017 under Companies Act, 2013, with its Registered

Office at Jeevan Tara Building, 5-Sansad Marg, New Delhi.

The primary objectives of the Company are:-

� to promote transparency, accountability, competitiveness and ef-

ficiency in procurement by government agencies, that includes

Central & State Government Ministries/Departments, CPSUs,

SPSUs, Autonomous Institutions, Statutory & Constitutional

bodies etc.

� to development, operate and maintain technology driven e-mar-

ketplace which can be used by government agencies for procure-

ment of various goods and services and disposal of items in a

transparent and efficient manner.

Apart from above, the Company also deals with various objec-

tives e.g.:

� Promotion of trade and commerce by providing easily accessi-

ble, transparent, quick and efficient technology enabled plat-

form,

� Development maintenance and providing public procurement

related common information technology and communications

infrastructure to all stakeholders,

� Providing quality research, advice, consultancy and technology

and management related services / support to government agen-

cies

� Assist vendors and service providers to provide their goods and

services

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF ANTI-DUMPING & AL-

LIED DUTIES (DGAD)

The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties

was constituted in April, 1998 and is headed by the Designated

Authority of the level of Additional Secretary to the Government

of India, who is advised on costing issues by a Principal Adviser

(Cost) and one Joint Secretary level officer. In addition, there are

Investigating and Costing Officers with varied experience to con-

duct various investigations like anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, cir-

cumvention of anti-dumping duty investigations etc. The

Directorate is responsible for carrying out investigations and rec-

ommending, where required, under the Customs Tariff Act, the

amount of anti-dumping duty/countervailing duty on the identi-

fied articles as would be adequate to remove injury to the domestic

industry.

During the period from 01.04.2017 to 31.10.2017, DGAD initi-

ated 17 anti-dumping (both fresh and Review) investigations, issued

Preliminary Findings in 3 investigations, and Final Findings in 26

anti-dumping investigations.

The details of anti-dumping investigations for the years 2012-

13 to 2017-18 (up-to October, 2017) are shown in the following

graphs: -

Table: 3 Percentage Contribution of Different Types of Transactions to the value of trade


EDI Non-EDI Manual EDI Non-EDI Manual EDI Non-EDI Manual

2015-16 76.74 23.10 0.16 80.85 18.91 0.24 79.17 20.62 0.21

2016-17 79.79 20.10 0.11 80.53 19.30 0.17 80.22 19.64 0.14

Apr-Oct, 2017* 83.47 16.49 0.04 86.76 13.16 0.08 85.47 14.47 0.06



Fresh Anti Dumping Investigations

Review of Anti Dumping Investigations

From 1992 till 31.10.2017, India has initiated anti-dumping investigations into 377 products. The countries prominently figuring in anti-

dumping investigations are China, European Union, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, USA, Singapore, Russia, etc. The major product categories on which

anti-dumping duty has been levied are chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, fibres/yarns, steel and other metals and consumer goods.

The country-wise break-up of 377 products, is as given below: -

Number of investigations initiated by DGAD country wise as on 31.10.2017


THE MARINE PRODUCTS EXPORT DEVELOPMENT AU-

THORITY (MPEDA)

The Marine Products Export Development Authority, a statutory

body under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce &

Industry, is mandated for the development of export of marine prod-

ucts from India.

Export performance: There is steady growth of marine and aqua-

culture exports from India for the past several years and has touched

all time high standing at USD 5.78 billion in 2016-17.

The provisional export figures for Apr-Sep, 2017: The ex-

ports of marine products have shown a growth of 11.00 % in quan-

tity terms, 4.33% in rupee value terms and 8.56 % in USD earnings

compared to the exports effected during the same period last year.

However, the unit value realization decreased from 5.80 USD/kg to

5.67 USD/kg, which is about 2.19% less compared to last year. This

decrease is attributed mainly due to the increased supply of seafood,

especially shrimps and fish. There was considerable decline in the

unit value of dried and live items also. Frozen shrimp continued to

be the principal export item in the export basket accounting for

75.68% of foreign earnings in terms of USD value followed by

frozen fish. Export of frozen fish had shown a growth of 13.40%

and dried items export has grown at the rate 42.76%, in value USD

terms. During this period USA continued to be the principal export

market in foreign exchange earnings with a share of 35.46%, and a

growth of 16.78% in US Dollar value. South East Asia, the second

major market for Indian marine products, had a share of 31.52% in

terms of foreign exchange earnings with an export growth of

25.11% in US Dollar value. European Union (EU), Japan, Middle

East & China are the other major markets for Indian marine prod-

ucts. The exports to EU and Japan showed a declining trend as per

the provisional data.

Thrust Areas: To facilitate enhanced export of marine products

from the country, MPEDA has been giving greater thrust in the fol-

lowing areas: -

� Diversify the culture practices in to commercially important

Shell fishes and Fin fishes to enhance aquaculture production

EXPORT PERFORMANCE

Export Details 2016-17 2015-16 Growth

Quantity in Tons 1134948 945892 19.99 %

Value in Rs. Crore 37871 30421 24.49 %

Value in USD million 5778 4688 23.24 %

Unit Value (USD/kg) 5.09 4.96 2.71 %

and increase the varieties.

� Establishing traceability of aquaculture through enrolment of

farms and hatcheries.

� Extending assistance to set up state-of-the-art infrastructure fa-

cilities including processing plants and cold chain facilities for

export of value added products.

� Ensuring production of quality seafood by setting up sophisti-

cated residue control laboratories and operating Enzyme Linked

Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) labs for antibiotic residue free

exports, across the country. Pre Harvest Testing and NRCP lab

testing are also computerised.

� Implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points

(HACCP) and assisting industry for HACCP.

� Promoting Indian seafood in major international markets

through co-branding, publicity abroad, participating in Interna-

tional Seafood Shows, organizing international events viz. India

International Seafood Show (IISS) and Aqua Aquaria India

(AAI) and so on.

Steps taken to increase production and exports:

� Extend technical and financial assistance for the development

of aquaculture in all the maritime States of the country for sus-

tainable production of seafood.

� Production of disease free quality SPF L. vannamei Shrimp

seeds for farming through aquatic quarantine facility (AQF) at

Chennai and production in a bio-secure condition and supply

of brood stock.

� Encouraging Aqua Farmers Welfare Societies and adoption of

Code of Practices for sustainable shrimp culture by extending

financial assistance for setting up common facilities.

� Popularizing the technology through field demonstrations and

financial assistance for Crab farming, all male Genetically Im-

proved Fish Tilapia culture, Cobia culture, culture of Sea bass,

High Health Tiger shrimp, etc.

� Extending financial assistance for establishment of

shrimp/scampi hatcheries, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) di-

agnostic laboratories, establishment of Effluent Treatment Sys-

tem (ETS).

� To check rejections due to detection of antibiotics, MPEDA ac-

tively pursuing to institute traceability of aquaculture through

enrolment of farms and hatcheries. A total of 49,186 aqua

farms were enrolled covering an area of 1.35 lakh ha. In addi-

tion, 132 shrimp hatcheries were also enrolled and out of that

101 hatcheries are geotagged.

� Monitoring hatcheries and collecting the feed samples from pro-

duction units for quality analysis for ensuring quality seeds.

NABL accredited central aquaculture pathological lab (CAPL)

for diagnosis of emerging pathogens.

� Export promotional steps include organizing AQUA AQUARIA


INDIA an international show focusing the Aquaculture and Or-

namental Fish sector once in two years, India International

Seafood Show to attract the foreign buyers, participating exten-

sively along with exporters in domestic as well as International

Trade Fairs, taking delegations along with exporters to new mar-

kets for exploring trade opportunities, trade interactions, Buyer

Seller Meets and so on.

� Publicity of Indian produce in international market is top pri-

ority for MPEDA. In addition to participation at international

fora along with exporters, MPEDA also brings out a monthly

magazine, MPEDA Newsletter to disseminate the latest infor-

mation covering the entire gamut of seafood industry to the

stakeholders across the country. Through weekly publication

PRIME the indicative prices for all seafood items in different

markets are disseminated. Prices of cultured shrimp species like

Black Tiger, L. vannamei are disseminated to general public via

SMS on a missed call from mobile.

� Providing financial assistance for processing infrastructure under

Technology & Infrastructural Upgradation Scheme for Marine

Products (TIUSMP), Cold Chain Development (CCD), installa-

tion of insulated fish holds onboard fishing vessels, installation

of Radio Telephone onboard fishing vessels, etc.

� Being the Competent Authority, MPEDA validating catch cer-

tificates for the export of sea caught to the EU market, issue of

DS 2031 certificates for exports to USA and validation of In-

ternational Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna

(ICCAT) Swordfish Statistical Documents for export of tuna

and sword fish to different markets.

� Imparting training to stakeholders and to trainers and also in as-

sociation with international bodies for instance, INFOFISH,

Malaysia has organized ‘Trainers training programme on Seafood

Value addition’ at Kochi, Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai. Also

conduct training programme on Seafood HACCP (Basic) and

issue of HACCP Compliance Certificates.

� Ease of Doing Business and removing bottlenecks to Indian Ex-

ports, MPEDA provides regular inputs on Sanitary and Phyto

Sanitary/Technical Barriers to Trade notifications and an-

tidumping duties in major markets. Inputs also provided on

product specific rules, tariff rates relaxation and rules of origin

under various trade agreements. Making recommendations to

DGFT and MoCI for inclusion of marine HS lines for MEIS

benefits. MPEDA also pursues regularly with country counter-

parts or through MoCI on issues of import ban and other bot-

tlenecks or instance, intervention in rejections by National

Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), South Africa.

� Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) spearheads re-

search and development for developing new aquaculture tech-

nologies by innovative methods by implementing several species

specific projects. Outputs from various RGCA projects include

supply of 20.03 lakhs seeds under sea bass hatchery Project, 5.6

lakhs seeds under mangrove crab hatchery project, 2.3 lakh pom-

pano seeds under marine finfish hatchery project, 300 kg bio-

mass and 65 kg dry Artemia cyst under Artemia project, 9130

pairs of brood stock under L. vannamei BMC project, quaran-

tine of over 1 lakh brood stock and 70000 of PLS of L. van-

namei through AQF, supply of 1.28 lakh crablets and 4720

seabass fingerlings to farmers aquaculture demonstration farm

project and 9.5 lakhs seeds under tilapia project. RGCA through

these projects has generated a revenue of Rs. 1802 lakh in 2015-

16, Rs. 2166 lakh in 2016-17 and Rs. 1245 lakh in 2017-18 (till

25-11-2017). In addition to this, the Domestication of Tiger

Shrimp Project at Andaman & Nicobar Island successfully pro-

duced 22 families of G7 families. RGCA also conducted 17

Technology Transfer training programmes and the Genetic lab-

oratory identified 27 partial gene sequences of various fin fishes

and shell fishes.

� Network of National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture

(NaCSA), a Society promoted by MPEDA is instrumental in ex-

tension education programmes for culture fisheries, quality up

gradation, capacity building of small scale shrimp farmers, better

management practices, crop Planning, etc and continue to sup-

port sustainable aquaculture.

� The Network for Fish Quality Management and Sustainable

Fishing (NETFISH) is a society under the aegis of MPEDA has

been conducting effective extension training programmes at

areas in and around selected harbours and landing centers in all

maritime states of India, since 2007. NETFISH in instrumental

in capacity building in fish quality management and conservation

of marine fishery resources at the grass root level by networking

with fishermen societies, federations and other non-governmen-

tal organizations. NETFISH organizes a variety of programmes

like clean-up programmes, mass communication programmes,

school children programmes, door to door programmes, etc.

This financial year, focus has been shifted towards conducting

more livelihood improvement programmes including production

of hygienic dry fish, production of value added fishery products,

popularization of square mesh cod ends, GPS handling, sea

safety, vocational students training, tuna processing, etc. In total,

880 extension training programmes have been conducted by

NETFISH from April to October 2017, reaching around 29500

beneficiaries.

� Assisting the processors to construct/renovate the captive/in-

dependent pre-processing centers as per EU/GOI guidelines

and setting up of mini laboratory in processing centers.

MPEDA takes up timely investigation and suggestion of correc-

tive action to the processor on Rapid Alert Notifications by EU,

import refusals by USFDA, violation of Japanese standards, etc.,

to prevent recurrence in future. Implements National Residue

Control Plan (NRCP) for Aquaculture products through four

Quality Control laboratories located at Kochi, Bhimavaram and

Nellore. The Quality Control lab at Bhubaneswar is set up for

testing commercial samples. In addition, samples were analyzed

in the 11 ELISA labs established in the states of West Bengal,

Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. The Quality

Control lab at Kochi is also undertaking a project for Monitoring

of Pesticide Residues at National Level (MPRNL) and samples

of inland fishes and crustaceans from the maritime states of

India are analysed.

� Functioning of MPEDA is largely shifted to e-platform and dis-

bursal of payments, application for registration, payment of fee

and issue of various certificates are made on-line. E-office is

successfully implemented and all activities including financial ac-

counting, payroll, pension, personnel, GPF, stores, inventory,

etc. are computerised.

� New initiatives taken up including establishing Self Sufficiency

Project (March, 2017) for stocking Tilapia aiming at quality fish

fingerlings & shrimp seed for the state of Kerala.

� In October, 2017 as a reward to its achievements Bharathidasan


University, Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu recognized RGCA as an

accredited centre for conducting research programmes.

TRADE FACILITATION INSTITUTIONS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN TRADE (IIFT)

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was set up by Govern-

ment of India on 2nd May, 1963 with a focus on foreign trade re-

lated research and training. In 53 years, the Institute has broadened

the scope and dimensions of its academic activities covering the en-

tire gamut of international business. Today, the Institute is widely

recognized for its knowledge and resource base, rich heritage and

for its strong alumni network both in India and abroad.

In recognition of its all round achievements, the Institute was

given the status of “Deemed University” in May 2002 by University

Grants Commission(UGC) enabling it to award degrees and start

its own doctoral programme.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)

accredited IIFT with the highest grade ‘A’ with overall CGPA score

of 3.53 in 2015. IIFT is in the process of getting AACSB Accredi-

tation and the iSER has been accepted by AACSB.

The Institute enjoys close and enduring linkages with the Min-

istry of Commerce, Government of India and has established ties

with leading Industrial and Trading Houses and Academic Institu-

tions, both in India and abroad. These linkages have helped the In-

stitute to expand its activities relating to training & research and

addressing critical issues of international business in a holistic man-

ner.

The Board of Management is the principal executive body of

the Institute. The BoM consists of 11 members and is headed by

the Director of the Institute.

The Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Com-

merce & Industry, Government of India, is the Chairman of the In-

stitute. The Director of the Institute is the Principal Executive of

the Institute and exercises supervision and control over the affairs

of the Institute.

ACADEMICS

The Institute has five academic divisions namely Graduate Stud-

ies Division (GSD), Research Division, Management Development

Programmes Division, International Collaboration and Capacity De-

velopment Division and International Projects Division and three

Centres namely Centre for WTO Studies, Centre for MSME Studies,

and Centre for International Trade in Technology (CITT). Each Di-

vision and Centre caters to competence development in a specific

area and contributes to the overall growth of the Institute.

The Institute offers a number of programmes comprising two-

year full time MBA (International Business), two year & six months

weekend MBA (International Business) Degree Programmes, three

Executive Post Graduate Diploma Programmes, etc. The flagship

programmes of the Institute – two year MBA (International Busi-

ness) Degree Programme received overwhelming response with

more than 61,967 applicants applying for 350 seats during the year.

IIFT is one of the few management institutes in India which con-

ducts a separate and exclusive entrance examination. The other pro-

grammes have been equally well received both in the corporate and

the government sector.

The main market reflector for any business school is its place-

ment. IIFT has reinforced its standing as one of the elite B-Schools

of the country by organizing final placements for the largest ever

batch of 258 students of 2015-17 with an impressive highest com-

pensation in excess of Rs. 1 crore per annum for 3 students. Six stu-

dents have got more than Rs.75 lakh per annum (LPA) in Interna-

tional Placements. The average compensation also maintained an up-

ward trend with Rs.18.41 LPA with highest domestic CTC of Rs. 26

LPA despite increase in batch strength. In spite of challenges of

black swan events in local and global scenario, 94 companies visited

IIFT campus for placements. Pre-Placement Offers from Summer

Internships and Corporate Competitions also had an increasing

trend with 74 PPOs offered to IIFTians as compared to 64 last year.

International placements have always been IIFT’s strength as there

has been a remarkable increase in International placement over the

years and with 20 international offers IIFT has proven its strength

with 33% increase in International placement.

IIFI was the fastest B School to complete summer placement

for the largest ever batch of 288 students of 2016-18 batch. Thirty

three (33) new recruiters made offers to students. Average stipend

was Rs 1.24 lacs as compared to Rs 1.10 lacs previous year. Sixty

nine percent (69%) of the batch were offered six figure stipend. The

TATA group (Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata International, TCS)

made a total of 16 offers. Fourteen (14) International roles were of-

fered. OECD (Paris) and WTO(Geneva) continued to hire exclu-

sively from IIFT. Leading Brands such as Goldman Sachs, GSK CH,

Sun Pharma etc. offered new roles to students like Treasury, Corpo-

rate Finance and Business Strategy. Few of the top brands that re-

cruited IIFT students were HUL, ITC, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan,

Nestle, Godrej, Colgate Palmolive, Marico, Shell, Dabur, Bain, De-

loitte, J&J Pharma, Google, Amazon, Citibank, Axis Bank and many

more.

IIFT students bought laurels to the institute by winning 39 na-

tional and international awards. The case study skills competition

were organized by leading originations and premier B schools to

showcase the talents of the management students. Few of such pres-

tigious awards won by IIFT students are RBI Policy Challenge or-

ganized by RBI, CFA Research Challenge organized by CFA,

Mahindra War Room organized by Mahindra Group, Carpe Diem

Organised by HUL, LOriel Brandstorm organized by LOriel, Yes

Bank Transformation Series organized by Yes bank, Optimus organ-

ized by IIM Bangalore, Finalogue organsied by XLRI, Buizkriti or-

ganized by IIT Kanpur, and many more.

RESEARCH

The Research Division at IIFT organizes important national and

international conferences on contemporary themes from time to

time. The Institute had completed five Research Projects during

2016-17 for State Governments and Corporate Sector.

The Institute organized its Fifth Research Conference on Em-

pirical Issues in International Trade and Finance (EIITF) during 16-

17 December 2016 at its Kolkata Campus. The Conference received

wide response from the academia and the policy research commu-

nity, and a total of 101 papers were submitted by scholars from Uni-

versities and Research Institutes from India and abroad.

Ph. D PROGRAMMES

The Ph.D. Programme offered by the Institute is very well-ac-

claimed. Fifteen candidates have been enrolled for the Ph.D. Pro-

gramme 2016 on the basis of written exam and viva-cum-interview.

Nine students (09) were awarded Ph.D. Degree at the 51st Annual

Convocation held on 28 July, 2017. Till date IIFT had awarded 29

Ph.D. Degrees.

The Management Development Programmes (MDP)- The In-

stitute offers regular training programmes in the area of finance, ex-

port & trade operations, strategic management, human resources,

IT & software management, corporate social responsibility (CSR),

e-governance, management of special economic zones(SEZs), issues

like dollar-rupee valuation etc. IIFT also conducts programmes for


IFS, IPS, IRS and ITS officers. Besides, MDP Division has provided

training to ITI principal under the Vocational Training Improvement

Project (VTIP) Scheme. During 2016-17, IIFT conducted 09 on-

line programmes on Export Import Business and provided training

to 353 exporters and entrepreneurs across the country under Niryat

Bandhu Scheme. IIFT also has undertaken 09 open programmes,

21 sponsored programmes for Government officers executives from

PSUs and corporates. In addition, the Institute has also conducted

three long duration online programmes: (i) One-year EPGDIBS

(Online) with NIIT, (ii) One-year EPGDIB-VSAT (Online) with

Hughes, (iii) One-year PGCPBM with Talent edge (2nd batch), (iv)

Four-months CPEIM (with IIFT’s own online platform). A total of

1246 participants benefited from various programmes conducted by

the Institute.

International Collaborations & Capacity Development (ICCD)

division plays an important role in the Institute through establishing

academic ties with domestic and international universities/institu-

tions to enable joint training and research programmes. At present,

IIFT has collaborations with 24 Universities / Institutes across the

world. Of these Universities/Institutes, 13 are in Europe, 5 are in

Asia and 6 are in other parts of the world. Students and faculty ex-

change is an integral part of the academic cooperation with these

institutions.

Under Student Exchange Programme, eighteen students came

to IIFT from different Universities and Institutions from France,

Spain, Italy, under Student Exchange Programme during for Aca-

demic Year July 2016 - March 2017. And Under the Student Ex-

change Programme, 22 students from Delhi Campus and 14 students

from Kolkata Campus visited the various International universities

from France, Finland, Germany, Spain, Barcelona, January to March

2017.

The Institute, by obtaining membership of renowned domestic

and international institutions, further consolidated the academic co-

operation. The Division hosts interactive information sessions for

foreign delegations, academicians and policy-makers from different

countries who visit the Institute and also facilitates participation of

faculty in national and international training programmes and con-

ferences.

New MoU Signed in 2016-17

The Institute has signed an MoU with Florida International Uni-

versity, USA on 27th October, 2016 for student / faculty exchange

& other academic activities.

Visitors from International Universities

� IIFT invited Prof. Farok J. Contractor from Rutgers business

school, USA for guest lecture on 3rd March 2017.

� A 15 member delegation from Bradley University, USA visited

IIFT on 6th Oct., 2017 to understand about socio-cultural-

economic factors of India. Dr. Rajesh Iyer, Associate Professor

was the Team Leader.

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS DIVISION of the Insti-

tute plays a crucial role in developing capacities in different aspects

of international business in developing countries through short-term

and long-term programmes like Capacity Building Programmes in

Africa and MBA (IB) in Dar-es Salaam, Tanzania. Simultaneously,

through focused research, the Division analyzes India’s trade and in-

vestment opportunities with developing countries. The Division

also works closely with different trade bodies on enhancing India’s

foreign trade.

Since the year 2009, the Institute has successfully conducted

thirty-six Executive Development Programmes on International

Business in Thirty Three African Countries during 2015-16. Batch

of MBA (IB) 2017-18 was inaugurated on 10 July 2017 at IFM, Tan-

S.No. Country Dates of Partner Name the EDP Organization

1 Luanda, 19-22 Agência para a Promoção Angola September do Investimento e

2017 Exportações de Angola (APIEX)

2 Cairo, 1-5 Foreign Trade Training Egypt October 2017 Centre (FTTC)

zania with the enrollment of 12 students.

IIFT launched Post Graduate Diploma Program in International

Trade (PGDIT) for delegates from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and

Vietnam (CLMV) countries at IIFT, New Delhi on 24 April 2017.

There are 18 participants from Myanmar, 15 from Vietnam, 9 from

Laos and 2 from Cambodia.

IIFT undertook the Study Report on ‘Israel FTA and the nego-

tiation stand for India in the Goods sector’ and submitted the final

report to DoC in September 2017.

MEA has sanctioned Rs. 20 Crores to IIFT for organizing 40

Capacity Building Programs in African Countries in the next five

years. The following two EDPs were conducted:-

LIBRARY

The Foreign Trade Library is a knowledge bank and a

resources centre on International Business & Economic

Environment and is accessible in printed as well as e-form to its

readers for their reference. It continued with its endeavour to add

to its collection of specialized publications, reports, databases, e-

journals, print journals, articles, etc. and get itself updated regu-

larly. The WTO Resources Centre provides rich information

exclusively on WTO and related issues. Further, the Library con-

tinuously enriches itself with the publications from National and

International Organizations such as United Nations Agencies,

ITC/UNCTAD/WTO, International Monetary Fund, World

Bank, Ministers and Departments of Government of India, Ex-

port Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards and other Trade

Promotion Organizations.

The Library is enriched with its virtual resources, called the e-brary

which is accessible round the clock These resources are available

through the licensed databases like ,EBSCO, Proquest, Emerald, Black-

well, CMIE, JSTOR, ISI Emerging Markets, Indiastat, World Trade

Online, IMF databases, OECD online, World Trade Atlas, Sciencedi-

rect and many others. The latest development is web OPEC on intranet

in which reader can access, download and print e-books, articles, etc.

PUBLICATIONS

In addition to various brochures, prospectus and folders, the In-

stitute continued to publish the following quarter journal/paper se-

ries/e-news letter to communicate its views on critical and

contemporary issues related to International Trade & Business,

WTO, General Management, Finance, IT, technology and trade etc.:

1. Foreign Trade Review

2. Focus WTO

3. Working Paper Series

4. Tech-n-Trade – e-Newsletter

Various papers of IIFT faculty were published in

international/national journals of repute during the year. In addi-

tion, faculty members also participated in the National and Interna-

tional Seminars, apart from contributing chapters in the books and

articles in the newspapers.


COMPUTER CENTRE

The Institute has a well equipped Computer Centre exclusively

for the students for their training and research activities. The Com-

puter Centre for students is open round-the-clock and have access

to all IT facilities. This facility also houses the provision to conduct

online assessment activities by the faculty. The desktops are fully

supported with application software such as Microsoft Lync Com-

munication, Oracle, VB, Microsoft project, Java, SPSS, E-Views,

SAS, etc. India Trade & Prowess databases from CMIE are also avail-

able on the Institute’s network. For its internet requirements, IIFT

avails 125 MBPS leased line from two different ISPs on load balanc-

ing mode. IIFT also uses video conferencing facility for placement,

training, research activities besides connecting IIFT Delhi & Kolkata

for internal meetings, etc. The classrooms are adequately equipped

with LCD projectors and PCs.

CENTRES OF IIFT

I. Centre for International Trade in Technology: The Centre

for International Trade in Technology (CITT) at the Institute

operates with the objective of actualizing India’s potential in

technology trade and addressing some of these institutional

complexities. The Centre regularly undertakes research projects

in the area of FDI and technology transfer, technology financing

and other related issues.

II. Centre for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME):

Studies aims at providing continuous support to the MSME sec-

tor by carrying out activities which can broadly be classified into

conducting training programmes, provision of business intelli-

gence services through comprehensive information hub and act-

ing as a catalyst for interfacing with the other concerned and

associated institutions and organisations, both within the coun-

try and abroad. The training programmes are being conducted

in various areas of international business such as international

marketing, trade operations and logistics, international finance,

WTO related issues, documentation and trade facilitation meas-

ures, entry level strategies, etc.

III. Centre for WTO Studies: The activities undertaken by the

Centre for WTO Studies seek to achieve three broad objectives:

(i) to assist India’s trade negotiators and policy-makers in par-

ticipating effectively in the WTO and at the related multilateral

trade negotiations; (ii) to enhance the understanding of key trade

issues among stakeholders through outreach and dissemination

activities; and (iii) to develop capacities within India and in other

developing countries for analysing WTO and other trade-related

issues through training programmes.

IIFT CAMPUS KOLKATA

IIFT started its Kolkata Campus in 2006 in a rented accommo-

dation. With the financial help from the Ministry of Commerce,

Government of India, the new Campus has been built in Kolkata

and the academic session 2015-16 commenced from the new cam-

pus. Apart from the two year MBA full-time and six months week-

end programmes, Kolkata Campus offers various Executive

programmes and undertakes research projects.

The library at Kolkata Campus is gradually growing with re-

sources of traditional type as well as electronic and virtual informa-

tion. It includes above 3500 books and CDs and more than 70

national and international printed journals in the field of manage-

ment and its related facets. The collection is fully automated with

the facility of Online Public Access Catalogue and the bar-coded

circulation system

Computer lab at IIFT Kolkata is well equipped with computers

for student access. WiFi services are also made available to the stu-

dents in the campus. Libsys, Prowess, India Trades etc. services are

provided locally whereas other web services are being facilitated to

IIFT Kolkata over NLD line.

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF PACKAGING (IIP)

The Indian Institute of Packaging is an autonomous body in the

field of packaging technology which was set up on 14th May, 1966

as a society under the societies registration act, 1860 by the leading

packaging and allied industries and the Ministry of Commerce & In-

dustry, Govt. of India. The main objective of this Institute is to pro-

mote the export market by way of innovative package design and

development and also to upgrade the packaging standards at Na-

tional Level. The head office of the Institute is situated at Mumbai

and its branches are located at Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad

and Ahmedabad. The Institute has got an excellent rapport with In-

ternational organizations like World Packaging Organisation (WPO)

and Asian Packaging Federation (APF)

The main functions of the Institute are Training & Education

and Research & Development in field of packaging. Under educa-

tional activities, the Institute has been conducting different types of

short term and long term programs. Till date, more than 10000 per-

sonnel have been trained in the field of packaging through different

programs. The two years PGDP program is being conducted by the

institute for the last 33 years. More than 3500 students have been

qualified and also working in India and abroad in the leading FMCG

companies. The laboratories of the Institute are also approved by

NABL as per ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and Bureau of Indian Standards.

The laboratories are recognized under the SIROs Schemes of DST

Govt. of India.

Under Research & Development, the Institute has got three

wings i.e. testing and certification of packaging materials and pack-

ages, consultancy and projects and R&D. Under Testing, the Institute

has got well equipped laboratories at its head office, Mumbai and

also at the branches at Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad &

Ahmedabad.

The Governing Body of the Institute has got 33 members com-

prising of 21 members from the industries representing to all sectors

of packaging materials, packaging machineries and user industries

and the balance 12 members are nominated by the different Min-

istries and Commodity Boards of Govt. of India. The Director is

the Head and Principal Executive Officer of the Institute who is the

overall in-charge of the organization

EXPORT PROMOTION MEASURES

The Institute is acting as a facilitator for the exporters by way

of issuing the test reports for the quality of packages for dangerous

goods for export and also issuing UN certificate. Besides, the Insti-

tute is also involved to the export promotion of commodity goods

by way of formulating the technical specifications of packaging ma-

terials and packages for the export of commodity goods. In addi-

tion, the Institute do also organizes a series of training programs on

“Packaging for Export” across the country for MSME sectors which

are being sponsored by the Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India. Sim-

ilarly the Institute do also organizes specialized training programs

on “Export Packaging of Handicraft Items” duly sponsored by Di-

rectorate of Handloom and Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Govt

of India.

New Initiative for Packaging Growth

In the recent days, the DOC, MOCI, Govt. of India has reviewed

the functions of the Institute and also constituted a Standing Advi-

sory Committee (SAC) with the heads of 21 export promotion coun-

cils, 7 commodity boards and the 7 reputed National Institutions

under the Chairmanship of Addl. Secretary, DOC, MOCI, Govt. of

India to utilize the available expertise of the Institute. The institute

has been advised to emphasize its activities in three major areas i.e.


Export Promotion by way of formulating packaging standards for

exportable commodity goods, up-gradation of packaging education

by way of introducing B.Tech and M.Tech programme in packaging

technology and management. The SAC has also advised the Institute

to formulate the packaging standards for 500 exportable commodities

over the period of next 10 years i.e 50 products in each year.

WELFARE OF SCS/STS/OBCS, WOMEN AND PERSONS

WITH DISABILITIES

The Institute has 18 number of woman employees as against 65

number of men employees. The Institute has conducted exclusive

recruitment drive for recruitment of SR, SC, OBC and PWD for dif-

ferent vacant posts. The institute is also following up the reservation

policy for the admission into Post Graduate Diploma in Packaging

(PGDP) for ST/ST/OBC candidates and persons with disabilities.

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE INFORMATION

(NCTI)

The National Centre for Trade Information (NCTI) was incor-

porated on 31st March, 1995 as a Company under Section 25 of

Companies Act, 1956. The Company started functioning w.e.f.

March, 1996. It has a Board of Directors for administration of its

affairs, which includes representatives from Ministry of Commerce

& Industry, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Indian Institute of

Foreign trade (IIFT), and Directorate General of Commercial Intel-

ligence & Statistics (DGCI&S). Other representatives are from India

Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and other Export Promotion

Councils / Apex Bodies. ITPO and NIC are co-promoters of the

Company and have contributed a sum of Rs.4 crore (Rs.2 crore each)

as Corpus Fund in the equity contribution of the Company.

Major Activities carried out since inception:

� Trade data based research and analysis – 2/4/6/8/ digit HS clas-

sification-India/Target Country – 9/10 digit level

� Focus Market: Focus Product – Export potential studies

� Drawing/evaluating wish lists/offer lists under various

PTA/FTAs of India (existing and prospective) Trade Data

Analysis support to Department of Commerce

� India-ASEAN FTA

� Identification of Tariff lines with high export potential to East-

ern and Central European Countries

� “India-Canada FTA – Analysis of trade data and Identification

of Potential items for India’s wish list Web & Database Support

to ITPO

� Development of Online Ticket Booking System for various fairs.

� Development and maintenance of Virtual Trade Portal

� Development of all Fair Specific Websites Corporate, RTI web-

sites of ITPO

� Creation of Sector Specific Database & Participants Feedback

Survey for ITPO

� Collection and compilation of Sector Specific Database and Par-

ticipants Feedback Survey for various fairs organized by ITPO.

� The promoters have now decided to wind up the organisation

in the year 2017-18.

FOOTWEAR DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

(FDDI)

Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) was set-

up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of

India in the year 1986 for the development and promotion of

Footwear and Allied Product Industries.

FDDI is a premier Institute, serving as a ‘One stop solutions

provider’ in footwear, leather and allied industry. Since its inception

in 1986, FDDI has been playing a pivotal role in facilitating Indian

industry by bridging skill gaps in the areas of footwear, leather, fash-

ion, retail and management. FDDI has been functioning as an inter-

face between the untapped talent and industry and its global

S. No. Bachelor Degree Master Degree Programmes Programmes(Duration 4 Years) (Duration 2 Years)

1 Footwear Design & Footwear Design & Production Production

2 Retail & Fashion Retail & Fashion Merchandise Merchandise

3 Leather Goods and Creative DesignAccessories Design CAD/CAM

4 Fashion Design

counterparts, by fulfilling the demand of skilled man power with its

specific curriculum, state of the art laboratories, world class infra-

structure and experienced faculty.

The Institute, having the status of ‘Institute of National Impor-

tance’ (as per FDDI Act 2017) is located at different parts of the coun-

try with well-designed campuses at Noida, Fursatganj, Chennai, Kolkata,

Rohtak, Chhindwara, Guna, Jodhpur, Ankleshwar, Banur, Patna and Hy-

derabad and is providing trained manpower to the industry.

The Institute is well acclaimed globally and conducts the follow-

ing long-term programmes:

FDDI, Noida has prestigious certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO

14000 and ISO 17025 (For International Testing Centre) and accredita-

tion from a leading international organization like SATRA- UK. Besides

this, from time to time the Institute has entered into academic alliances

with top management and Fashion Design institutes such as LDT

Nagold, Germany, ARSutoria, Italy, Thomas Bata University (TBU),

Czech Republic and Northampton University, UK which ensures an

international level of training in the campus and extends the scope of

Student / Faculty exchange programme in order to equip them to meet

the challenges of globalization.

The Institute has remarkable global recognition in the area of

Training & Consultancy due to its relevance to the dynamic workplace

environment, unique & innovative content and delivery mechanism

and high acceptance in the industry / academia worldwide. It has

crossed the national boundaries and created a niche for itself in the

area of training and consultancy in Asian countries like Bangladesh,

Sri Lanka and many African countries like Ethiopia, Botswana, Nigeria,

South Africa, etc.

The Institute has an impeccable track record of almost 100% place-

ment for all its pass outs in major Multinational and Indian companies.

FDDI alumni include VPs and CEOs of some of the renowned com-

panies. FDDI students have been placed globally in countries like USA,

UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Egypt, China, Singapore, UK, Middle East,

Sri Lanka, South Africa, etc.

Major activities/ events undertaken during the year:

Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) has been de-

clared an ‘Institute of National Importance’ under Ministry of Com-

merce & Industry. The FDDI bill was passed by the Parliament in July

2017. The Provisions of FDDI Act 2017 have come into force from

16.10.2017, according to the Notification published in The Gazette of

India on 05.10.2017. This brings FDDI in the league of the premier

institutions of the country.

Students Placement:

The placement of 2016-17 batch saw a number of multinationals

and corporates vying to pick up talent from FDDI. A centralized drive

for placements was held at Noida campus from March, 2017.

Companies of repute like Bata, Sketchers, Reliance Brands, Land-


mark, Madura Aditya Birla, Armani, Genesis Luxury group, AVT, VKC,

Superhouse, Future Group, Pidilite, Khadims, Reliance Footprints,

Arvind Brands, Nike etc. were the major recruiters of this year.

Placement Linked Skill Development Programme:

Under the Placement Linked Skill Development Programme

(PLSDP), FDDI set a record of training more than 5.35 lakhs unem-

ployed youth from economically weaker sections from January, 2009 to

March, 2017. Out of these trainees, 4,30,928 (80.50%) have also been

placed at various footwear companies for the first time.

During the period from April, 2016 to March, 2017, FDDI has

trained 1,45,164 trainees and out of them 1,16,772 have been placed in

different footwear companies through its training centres/ Sub-centres

located in various parts of the country including main OTCs at Agra,

Chandigarh, Delhi/NCR, Kanpur, Kolkata and Ranipet.

Integrated Development of Leather Sector (IDLS) Sub-scheme :

To implement the Integrated Development of Leather Sector

(IDLS) Scheme of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion

(DIPP), Government of India, a Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

has been set up at FDDI, Noida.

FDDI is the implementing agency for modernization and technology

upgradation of leather goods and garments, saddlery, leather footwear

and footwear components units under the IDLS Scheme since the com-

mencement of the scheme. During 12th Five year plan, FDDI has also

been entrusted with disbursal of sanctioned grant under IDLS scheme.

As on March, 31, 2017, FDDI has processed 769 applications from

different units in different States since 01 April, 2012. The total invest-

ment from these units under IDLS scheme is approximate Rs.870.56

crores and the grant amount eligible is approximate Rs.207.65 Crores.

Out of these 769 applications, 507 applications were approved. As a

nodal agency for disbursal, FDDI has disbursed IDLS grant to 310 units

across the country since 2014.

INDIAN DIAMOND INSTITUTE (IDI)

Indian Diamond Institute (IDI) was established in 1978 under Society

Registration Act, 1860 and also under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950,

with a focus to provide a vocational education in the field of Diamond,

Gems & Jewellery. IDI is sponsored by Ministry of Commerce & Indus-

try, Government of India & is a project of The Gem & Jewellery Export

Promotion Council. IDI conducts vocational educational level pro-

grammes in the areas of Diamond Manufacturing, Diamond Grading,

Jewellery Designing & Jewellery Manufacturing, Gemmology thereby cov-

ering entire spectrum of Gems & Jewellery education under one roof. In-

stitute, as a knowledge provider to the re-skilling programmes launched

by the GJEPC, upgrade/impart the skill to 315 small/medium

diamond/jewellers manufacturers in interior parts of Gujarat. IDI is also

recognized as an Anchor Institute-Gems & Jewellery by Industries Com-

missionerate, Government of Gujarat.

The Institute’s Gemological Laboratory is engaged in testing &

identification of Diamonds, Gem Stones & Jewellery, and issuing a Di-

amond Grading, Gem Stone Identification & Jewellery Quality report.

The Institute’s Diamond Grading Laboratory is authorized by the

DGFT, MoC&I, as per Chapter 4 of the FTP 2015-2020 for certifica-

tion /grading of Diamonds of 0.10 Ct & above. IDI also operates Di-

amond Detection & Resource Centre (DDRC) at its Katargam campus

to provide diamond screening services to small / medium diamond

manufacturer/ diamond traders/Jewellers at affordable rates. IDI also

conducts various workshops/seminars on “Synthetic Diamond Identi-

fication” to spread awareness in diamond trade on the subject.

PUBLIC SECTOR CORPORATIONS

INDIA TRADE PROMOTION ORGANISATION (ITPO)

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is the premier trade

promotion agency of India, provides a broad spectrum of services to

trade and industry and acts as a catalyst for growth of India’s trade.

ITPO is a section 8 Company and its main corporate objectives are:

� To promote external and domestic trade of India in a cost effective

manner by organizing and participating in international trade fairs

in India and abroad; organizing buyer-seller meets and contact pro-

motion programmes abroad; exchanging and coordinating visits of

business delegations, and undertake need based research to facilitate

trade in specific sectors/markets;

� To support and assist small and medium enterprises to access mar-

kets both in India and abroad;

� To disseminate trade information and facilitate E-commerce/trade;

� To facilitate promotion of Trade in goods and services connected

with or relating to fairs, exhibitions, conventions in India and

abroad;

� To develop quality physical infrastructure, services and management

so as to enable holding of trade promotion events such as conven-

tions and trade exhibitions of international standard; and

� To enlist the involvement and support of the State Governments,

other government trade promotion agencies, trade and industry as-

sociations in promotion of India’s external and domestic trade.

With its Headquarters at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi and regional

offices at Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai, ITPO ensures representative

participation of trade and industry from different regions of the country

in its events in India and abroad.

During the year 2017-18, the following significant initiatives have

been undertaken for improving and augmenting the infrastructure ca-

pacity and service delivery of ITPO:

E-Enablement/Customer Friendly Measures

� Online space booking system in ITPO’s domestic events

� Online booking of tickets implemented for IITF and New Delhi

World Book Fair

� E-procurement from GEMS/e-tendering introduced

� E-payment/E-refund functional

� Wi-Fi facility in all AC Exhibition Halls

� Mobile Apps introduced in ITPO’s domestic fairs

� Seven new telecom towers installed for better network connectivity

� Comprehensive Mobile App of ITPO is in final stages

� Implementation of ‘Help Desk’ during third party events.

� 50 % discount in ITPO events for start-ups.

� Regular interaction with participants/ organizers.

� Online space booking for third party events is underway.

REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PRAGATI MAIDAN

To firmly place ITPO in the global MICE Industry, ITPO is in the

process of establishing a world class iconic Integrated Exhibition-cum-

Convention Centre (IECC) at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The new

Complex will be a symbol of “New India” envisioned by the Hon.

Prime Minister and in sync with India aspiring to be a global power.

The proposed centre will have world class convention facilities be-

fitting India’s economic, political and strategic importance in the comity

of nations. The proposed infrastructure aims to fill gaps in requirements

for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events) sector in NCR.

It is expected to contribute to foreign exchange earnings of the country

and revenues of the services & business sector of Delhi.

The project proposal includes the development of 3,82,188 sqm of

total built up area including 1,51,687 sq. mtr. of exhibition area in Phase-

I. The Convention Centre will be a state of the art landmark structure

on par with the best in the world and will have a 7000 pax seating facility

in single format (with a plenary hall of 3000 pax capacity and functional

hall of 4000 pax) alongwith various appurtenant facilities like meeting

halls, lounges, services and underground parking space for about 4800

passenger car units (PCU). To improve access to the Complex and de-


congest traffic in and around Pragati Maidan, comprehensive traffic in-

terventions have also been approved as integral to IECC project. All

the clearances/approvals for both IECC project and traffic interven-

tions have been obtained in a record time.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved

in January, 2017 the IECC project at an estimated cost of Rs.2,254 crore.

The revised cost estimate of Rs.2596.25 crore has been approved by

DoC. ITPO will utilise Rs.1,200 crore out of its free reserves towards

funding of the project and will raise institutional loan and /or land mon-

etization for hotel for the balance amount of the project cost. The Na-

tional Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd. (NBCC) is working as

a Project Management Consultant for the project. On the basis of

Global bidding, the IECC project stands awarded to Shapoorji Pallonji

at a cost of Rs.2149.93 crore. The work for the traffic decongestion in-

terventions in and around Pragati Maidan Complex has been awarded

to L&T at a cost of Rs. 777 crore.

The IECC Project and the work on traffic interventions are to be

completed within 24 months by August, 2019.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

During the year 2016-17, ITPO had earned a record Revenue from

Operations of Rs. 263.14 crore which is the highest during the last five

years. The total income generated by ITPO during the year was Rs.

388.97 crore against Rs. 375.56 crore (Recast as per Ind-AS) of the pre-

vious year. The outstanding performance by the company is reflected

by all time high total Income i.e. Rs.388.97 crore which is the highest

ever total income generated by ITPO since its inception. ITPO had

earned a surplus of Rs. 168.99 crore, Net after considering ‘Other com-

prehensive Income’, compared to Rs. 164.13 crore (Recast as per Ind-

AS) in the preceding year. ITPO has received “NIL” Comments from

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on the Annual Ac-

counts for the year 2016-17.

The cumulative financial figures (Income) in respect of Fairs in

India, Fairs in Abroad, and 3rd Party Fairs, up to September, 2017, are

as under:

(Rs. in lakh)

Fairs in India Rs. 1150.52

Fairs Abroad Rs. 2270.07

3rd Party Fairs Rs. 3582.87

Total Rs. 7003.46

FAIRS IN INDIA

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) organized number

of specialized events during the period from 01.04.2017 to

30.09.2017.

India International Footwear Fair, Delhi

The 3rd edition of India International Footwear Fair (IIFF) was

organized by ITPO from 04-06 August, 2017. The fair was inaugu-

rated by Shri Santosh Gangwar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fi-

nance, Govt. of India. IIFF’ Delhi 2017 covered an area of 5800

sq.mtr. There were 240 exhibitors including 100 from overseas (from

China, Italy and Taiwan). About 10,000 business visitors visited the

fair, out of which 68 were overseas business visitors from 16 coun-

tries. These visitors were from Bangladesh, China, Colombia,

Ethiopia, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Nepal, Nigeria, Qatar, Spain, Sri

Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, UK and USA.

Delhi Book Fair and the Stationery, Office Automation & Cor-

porate Gift Fair, Delhi

The 23rd Delhi Book Fair, 19th Stationery Fair, 3rd Office Au-

tomation Fair and 3rd Corporate Gift Fair 2017 were the twin events

held during August 26 – September 3, 2017. Both the events were

organized successfully in a net area of around 3711 sq. mtrs. 167

nos. of companies had participated in the nine day events and the

shows witnessed a footfall of around Two Lakh visitors.

FAIRS ABROAD

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) during the year

2017-18, proposed India’s national level participation in 29 overseas

trade shows including exclusive India Shows and making its presence

globally.

During the course of the year between the period April 2017 to

September 2017; ITPO has successfully organised participation in

16 overseas events with 2 mini India Shows i.e IHF & IGF in Osaka

(Japan) and one EXPO 2017, Astana (Kazakhstan) from June10-30

September 2017.

India Pavilion at Astana (Kazakhstan), June 10-September 10,

2017 was inaugurated on 10th June, 2017 jointly by CMD, ITPO

and Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan. The theme of the EXPO

was “Future Energy” emphasizing new and renewable energy solu-

tions such as solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy and safe nu-

clear energy. The Future of the energy had led the visitors to

“Energy in Life” corridor. The corridor, designed with Indian his-

torical architecture, had presented new energy ideas through tech-

nology and smart India with experience of smart cities, smart

transfer, tourism, yoga, ayurveda and culture. The India Pavilion

was amongst the top five most visited pavilions. Although, the pop-

ulation of Astana is only 1 million approximately, there was a foot-

fall of 10,000-12,000 visitors on an average per day to the Indian

Pavilion. The most interesting parts of the pavilion were the models

designed and displayed by the Department of Science and Technol-

ogy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and The Energy Re-

sources Institute India. The models showcased native technology

with strong forms of Science and technology. A delegation led by

hon’ble Minister of Green Energy, Government of Malaysia had

also visited the India Pavilion. A large number of visitors were com-

ing to the show. Business delegations from Oman Electricity Com-

pany, Surinam, Russia, UAE had also visited the pavilion and had

recorded their appreciation. A delegation of TERI scientists had

made impressive presentations in conference on the theme of the

Expo. A 10 member Rajasthani cultural troupe of ICCR, Delhi had

performed at the cultural stage of Indian Pavilion from June 24-30,

2017. The events and activities in the India Pavilion at Astana were

uploaded on various social networking platforms. The celebration

of National Day was organized by the Embassy of India, Astana

and ITPO, on 15th August 2017 in semi-open theatre called “Na-

tional Day Stage (NDS)” in the Expo Ground. India Pavilion was

awarded the Bronze Award in “Theme Development Category” by

an eminent International Jury among the 115 participating nations

and 28 International Corporations.

REGIONAL TRADE CENTRES

ITPO has provided assistance to State Governments in setting

up Regional Trade Promotion Centres (RTPCs) for creating Export

Infrastructure in State capital/major cities.

1. Tamilnadu Trade Promotion Organistion (TNTPO) at Chennai.

For expansion plan of TNTPO, the TNTPO Board has ap-

proved the construction of a multi-purpose (Exhibition/Con-

vention) hall with an area of 15,708 sq. mtrs. After the

expansion, there will be 2 halls for conventions and 4 halls for

exhibitions in the total area of 31,063 Sq. mtrs. The estimated

cost is Rs. 289 crore.

2. Karnataka Trade Promotion Organisation (KTPO) at Bangaluru.

For expansion Plan of KTPO, the KTPO Board has approved

the construction of a multi-purpose (convention/exhibition)

hall with an area of 5000 sq. mtrs. After the expansion, there


will be 2 halls for conventions and 2 halls for exhibitions in the

total area of 11,871 Sq. Mtrs. The estimated cost is Rs.40 crore.

3. Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation

(KINFRA) has proposed for setting up an Exhibition Centre at

Kakkanad near Kochi in collaboration with ITPO. The esti-

mated cost of the first phase of the project is Rs.159.90 crore.

The Board of ITPO has already approved the Capital Contribu-

tion of Rs.30 crore (Rs. 15 crore from owned funds & Rs. 15

crore from TIES grant) towards the project.

4. Jammu & Kashmir: Jammu & Kashmir Small Scale Industries

Development Corporation Ltd. (SICOP), a J&K Government

Undertaking, has sent a proposal for setting up an International

Trade Centre (ITC) in Pampore (J&K) in collaboration with

ITPO and EPCH under TIES Scheme. The initiative for this

project is taken by SICOP in association with Ministry of Com-

merce & Industry, Govt. of India through ITPO. The project

is proposed to be implemented by JKTPO through equity to be

held by Government of J&K, ITPO & EPCH with financial

support from Government of India. The Cost of Project is

Rs.47.92 crore. The International Trade Centre will be floated

by SICOP through its joint promoters ITPO & EPCH with a

Capital Contribution of Rs.5.00 crore to be contributed under

the proportion as 51% from SICOP, 44% from ITPO and 5%

from EPCH.

ADMINISTRATION & HRD

During the period upto September, 2017, 07 officials were ap-

pointed and 41 officials were granted personal up-gradation under

Incentivized Assured Career Progression Scheme (IACPS). Guide-

lines on reservation were compiled with ITPO. Liaison Officers

have been nominated to look after the interest of SCs/STs & OBC.

The provisions contained in Persons with Disabilities (Equal Op-

portunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995

regarding reservation in posts/services for disabled person were

also complied.

There has been no complaint under Sexual Harassment of

Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act,

2013.

Reservation Policy of Government of India

Government of India guidelines, issued from time to time,

were followed on reservation in appointment/promotion in respect

of SC/ST/OBC. Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was also cele-

brated on 17th April, 2017 and floral tributes were offered.

Corporate Social Responsibility

As a committed socially responsible organisation, under the

CSR Initiative for the year 2017-18, ITPO is looking forward to

continuing its efforts towards promotion of Sanitation. The CSR

Committee has recommended contribution towards “Swachh

Bharat Kosh”, Govt. of India and “Clean Ganga Fund“, Govt. of

India amounting to Rs. 2.44 crore in total. In addition, the proposal

amounting to Rs. 10 lakh for organizing two batches of 25 single

women training in Geriatric services has also been recommended.

Many other proposals are under examination and consideration.

MMTC LIMITED

The MMTC Limited was created in 1963 as an independent en-

tity primarily to deal in exports of minerals and ores and imports

of non-ferrous metals. Over the years, MMTC diversified its busi-

ness portfolio keeping in view national requirements and new busi-

ness opportunities including import and export of various items.

Commodities like fertilizers, steel, diamonds, bullion, agro etc. were

progressively added to the portfolio of the company.

Besides acting as canalizing agency for Iron Ore, Manganese

Ore, Chrome Ore/Concentrate & Import of Urea, MMTC func-

tions as one of the Nominated Agency for Import of Gold & Sil-

ver, sale of Sovereign India Gold Coin, Import of Pulses, trading

in other commodities like Agro Products, Fertilizers, Coal, Steel,

Non-ferrous metals, Pig Iron etc. and investment in trade related

JVs like NINL, MMTC PAMP, FTWZ etc.

MMTC has grown over the years to become one of the largest

trading organizations in India following the mantra of strategic di-

versification for progress, exploiting opportunities to expand base

and open up new business prospects. It endeavors constantly to ex-

plore emerging opportunities by synergizing and blending them

with its own core competencies, thereby creating new epicenters of

growth and expanding its role as a trade organizer and facilitator.

The company has participated in various value-multiplier initiatives

by investing in trade related infrastructure projects to enhance its

future sustainability through the JVs and PPP route. It has invested

in 1.1 million ton steel plant in JV with Govt. of Orissa, a world

class gold / silver refinery, setting up free trade warehousing zone

(FTWZ) at Kandla etc.

Subsidiary Company


owned subsidiary company of MMTC and was incorporated in Oc-

tober 1994 under the laws of Singapore with a share Capital of

USD 1 million.Since inception, the company has been engaged in

commodity trading and has established itself as a credible and rep-

utable trading company in Singapore.

New Initiatives:

a) Make in India

In line with Govt. of India’s initiative of Make in India, follow-

ing initiatives were taken by MMTC.

� Launch of India’s first Sovereign Gold Coin - India Gold Coin

(IGC) in November, 2015. MMTC has undertaken marketing of

IGC unveiled by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The coins

are minted in 5 gms, 10gms and bars in 20 gms denomination at

India Govt. Mint, Mumbai and Kolkata. Total turnover of IGC

sales achieved during 2016-17 was Rs. 129.10 crore. MMTC has

tied up with 7 Banks to sell IGC through its 400 branches to

make easy availability of the coins across India. Efforts are on

to further expand distribution network for sale of Indian Gold

Coin.

� The joint venture for gold / silver refining and medallion man-

ufacturing unit in collaboration with PAMP Switzerland in the

name of MMTC-PAMP India Pvt. Ltd. achieved a turnover of

Rs. 24,390crore and profit after tax of Rs. 14.93 crore for the

year 2016-17. MMTC-PAMP became India’s first LBMA ac-

credited refiner for Gold and silver. During 2016-17, MMTC

sold Gold Bars produced by MPIPL in the domestic market

achieving a turnover of Rs.792Crore.

� After lot of persuasion and efforts, NINL Steel Plant (Joint

venture of MMTC & Govt. of Orissa) could sign Iron ore Min-

ing lease on captive basis with Govt. of Odisha for 874.24

hectare having 92 million tonne of mineable reserves in the

State of Odisha. Mines are expected to commission iron ore

production by June, 2018. NINL has also signed MOU with

NALCO for setting up of Coal Tar Pitch Plant.

b) Swachh Bharat

During 2016-17, MMTC’s Board of Directors allocated Rs.

33.50 lakhs for undertaking CSR activities to support the Swachh

Bharat Abhiyan. The funds allocated for CSR were utilized for

Creation of sanitation and drinking water facilities in Govt.

Schools, installation of hand pumps in rural areas, Clean Ganga

Campaign etc.


c) Digital India

As a part of implementing Govt. of India’s initiative of Digital

India, MMTC ERP system up-gradation / migration to a new ver-

sion for plugging the gaps in existing ERP module (which was im-

plemented in 2002) have been upgradedduring 2016-17. In addition,

100% E-tendering is being followed in MMTC including E-Pay-

ments and BHIM.

d) Diversification

MMTC has created two new divisions with a view to diversify

into new areas and enhance exports namely;

� Engineering goods and related products with focus on SME

sector.

� Drugs, Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals.

e) Clean Energy

MMTC has set up a 15 MW capacity Wind Mill project at Gajen-

dragad in Karnataka at a cost of Rs. 68.75 crores. The project is run-

ning successfully and has contributed to the development of the area

by meeting some portion of energy needs of Karnataka state.

MMTC is exploring possibilities of expansion of the said wind mill

project.

f) Trade related infrastructure

To facilitate promotion of two-way trade, the SPV promoted

by MMTC in association with IL&FS IIDC has taken initiatives to

set up International Cargo hub at Haldiaand Free Trade and Ware-

housing Zone at Kandla on lines similar to Special Economic Zone.

Two plots of 2.75 acres of land in the Kandla FTWZ has been

leased in March, 2016 and discussions are on with the other units

for leasing out the plots.

g) Marketing support to North East states

In order to provide support to North East states, MMTC has

opened its office at Guwahati, Assam and have already initiated pro-

curement of commodities like Ginger, Turmeric and largeCar-

damom for marketing in rest of India and is also exploring for

exports of the same.

h) Government buffer stock of imported Pulses

In order to stabilize retail prices of Pulses, Govt. has taken ini-

tiative to create buffer stock of Pulses both through domestic pro-

curement and imports. Since January 2016, quantity of over 3.5 lakh

tons of Pulses including Toor, Urad, Red Lentils, Desi chick peas

has already been imported by MMTC from various countries. Govt’s

target is to source 2 million tons of pulses for creating the buffer

stock. MMTC was nominated by the Government of India to im-

port various pulses on Government account.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

MMTC is widely recognized as one of the largest International

Trading Company of India and the first Public Sector Undertaking

to be awarded as “Premier Trading House” status in the country. It

is actively involved in exploring overseas markets for exports and

sourcing material for domestic needs. With focus on ‘bulk’ opera-

tions, MMTC primarily has six core commodity groups viz. Miner-

als, Precious Metals, Coal, Fertilizers, Agro commodities and Metals.

During FY 2017-18, for the half year ending September 30,

2017MMTC has achieved a turnover of Rs. 9,897crore and a trading

profit of Rs. 143crore.

SUBSIDIARY COMPANY


owned subsidiary company of MMTC. During 2016-17, it has

achieved a sale turn-over of US$ 113.17 million, Net Profit of US$

0.04 million & Net Worth of US$ 15.40 million.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

NEELACHAL ISPAT NIGAM LTD. (NINL)

Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd.(NINL), an iron & steel plant of 1.1

million tones capacity, 0.8 million tonne coke oven and by-product

unit with captive power plant, jointly with Govt. of Odisha and

others.

The Phase II of the project for production of steel, with Basic

Oxygen Furnace, Oxygen Plant and SMS has been commissioned

and Steel Billets Production was done on trial basis. During 2016-

17, NINL achieved a turnover of Rs. 1,268.73 crore. After lot of

persuasion and efforts, NINL Steel Plant (Joint venture of MMTC

& Govt. of Orissa) could sign Iron ore Mining lease on captive

basis with Govt. of Odisha for 874.24 hectare having 92 million

tonne of mineable reserves in the State of Odisha. Mines are ex-

pected to commission iron ore production by June, 2018. NINL

has also signed MOU with NALCO for setting up of Coal Tar Pitch

Plant.

OTHER PROJECTS

Aiming at diversification and with a view to add value to its ex-

isting trading operations, the Company has undertaken various

strategic initiatives following public-private partnership route. The

initiatives taken by MMTC are –

i. One of the most modern gold/silver refinery and Medallion

manufacturing unit - MMTC-Pamp India Private Limited in col-

laboration with Pamp of Switzerland.

ii. 9.55% holding Indian Commodity Exchange Limited

(ICEX). ICEX has got necessary approval from SEBI for

launching diamond contracts apart from obtaining ‘in prin-

ciple’ approval for trading in contracts for Brent Crude and

WTI Crude.

iii. Phase 1 of Kandla FTWZ has been made operational during

the year 2016-17, a Joint Venture project between MMTC and

IL&FS Ltd..

Corporate Social Responsibility

During 2016-17, MMTC’s Board of Directors allocated a sum

of Rs. 81.41 lakhs for undertaking CSR activities.

The funds allocated during 2016-17 under CSR were spent to-

wards activities majorly related to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,

Clean Ganga Mission, Skill India Mission, Promotion of healthcare

and Yoga and promotion of sports / para-sports. Besides this,

MMTC supported distribution of artificial limbs and assistive de-

vices to the differently abled.

THE STATE TRADING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD.

(STC)

STC was set up on 18th May 1956 primarily with a view to un-

dertake trade with East European countries and to supplement

the efforts of private trade and industry in developing exports

from the country. Since then, STC has played an important role

in country’s economy. It has arranged imports of essential items

of mass consumption (such as wheat, pulses, sugar, edible oils,

etc.) and industrial raw materials into India and also contributed

significantly in developing exports of a large number of items

from India. The core strength of STC lies in handling exports/im-

ports of bulk agro commodities. Over the years, STC has also di-

versified into exports of steel, iron ore, red sanders,

agro-chemicals and imports of bullion, hydrocarbons, minerals,

metals, fertilizers, petro-chemicals, etc. STC is today able to struc-

ture and execute trade deals of any magnitude, as per the specific

requirement of its customers.

The overall performance of STC during 2015-16, 2016-17 and

April-Sept’17 vis-a-vis figures for the corresponding period of the

previous year and estimates for the full year 2017-18 are given


below:

---April - September---

2015-16 2016-17 Provisional 2017-18

Actuals Actuals Last Year This Year Estimates

Exports 1111 789 84 125 600

Imports 8735 6382 2339 6215 10000

Domestic 633 581 361 160 400

Total Turnover 10479 7752 2784 6500 11000

Profit Before Tax 22.70 (148.37) 19.88 13.85* 15.00

* For the period Apr-Jun’17

PERFORMANCE: 2016-17

The total turnover of the company declined from ₹10479 crore in

2015-16 to ₹7752 crore in 2016-17. The decline in turnover was mainlydue to (i) non-renewal of contract for export of steel plates/coils to

Iran (ii) lower allocation for import of urea by the GOI, and (iii) reduced

import of gold.

Exports: During the year, the Company’s exports fell from ₹1,111

crore in 2015-16 to ₹789 crore. The decline was mainly attributable tonon-renewal of contract relating to exports of steel plates/coils to Iran,

which fell from ₹1040 crore in 2015-16 to only ₹102 crore during 2016-17. However, during the year, the company, for the first time exported

steel rails worth ₹576 crore to Iran against an agreement entered intowith Iranian Railways.

The Company also undertook exports of around 20,000 MTs of

rice valuing ₹41 crore to Egypt. Besides above, the Company exported

agro-chemicals amounting to ₹24 crore to Iran and red sanders worth

₹46 crore to China.

Imports: During the year 2016-17, the Company achieved an import

turnover of ₹6382 crore as against ₹8735 crore in the year 2015-16. Thedecline in import turnover was mainly due to lower import of urea and

bullion.

In the recent years, bullion imports of the Company have been con-

tinuously on decline due to frequent changes in Government policies

relating to import of gold, surge in import of gold dore bars into the

country and international price parity issues. Though bullion continued

to be the single largest item of import, its turnover decreased from

₹4,711 crore in 2015-16 to ₹4,272 crore in 2016-17.

During the year, the Company was authorized by the Govt. of India

to import 13.64 lakh MT of urea. The quantities allocated for import

were lower than in the previous year due to higher indigenous produc-

tion and lower demand. Accordingly, the Company imported 14.06 lakh

MT of urea valuing ₹2048 crore during 2016-17 as against 20 lakh MT

of urea amounting to ₹3795 crore in the previous year. The Company

also imported and sold edible oils worth ₹53 crore to smallprocessing/packaging units.

Domestic sales: The domestic sales of the company amounted to

₹581 crore and was the second best in past seven years.

The Company continued to undertake supplies of imported coal to

Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd. (BORL) and sold coal worth ₹46 crore dur-ing the year 2016-17 as against supplies worth 215 crore made in 2015-

16. During the year, the Company also supplied a quantity of 7408 MTs

of coal valuing ₹ 6 crore to M/s Malabar Cements Ltd.

The Company contracted a total quantity of 25543 MTs of pulses

for supply to various state agencies viz. Tamil Nadu State Civil Supplies

Corporation Ltd. (TNSCSC), Army Purchase Organisation (APO), Ker-

ala State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd.(KSCSCL), etc.

During the year, supply of pulses worth ₹ 210 crore were made to

TNSCSC compared to supplies worth ₹ 108 crore made during the previ-

ous year. Supplies to other state agencies yielded a turnover of ₹ 42 crore.

The Company continued to undertake distribution of fertilizers to

tobacco growers/ farmers in the states of Karnataka and Andhra

Pradesh. In 2016-17 also, STC supplied 26992 MT of fertilizers to var-

ious tobacco growers/farmers. The same yielded a turnover of ₹75crore during the year.

The Company continued to conduct cardamom auctions under li-

cence obtained from Spices Board. The operations involve collection

of cardamom directly from planters and auctioning the pooled car-

damom to the traders on e-auction platform at Bodinayakanur, Tamil

Nadu. During the year, the Company conducted 49 auctions and sold

1238.41 MT of cardamom which resulted in a turnover of ₹120 croreas against Rs.104 crore in the previous year.

Profitability: The Company reported a net loss of ₹166 crore dur-

ing the year 2016-17 as against a net profit of ₹18 crore during the year2015-16. The loss was mainly due to provisions and write-offs (net of

write-back) of ₹144 crore made in respect of doubtful debts as a meas-ure of prudence.

PERFORMANCE: APRIL – SEPTEMBER 2017: During

Apr.-Sept.’17, the Company achieved a turnover of approx. 6500 crore

(prov.) and the same was more than double the turnover of 2784 crore

achieved during the corresponding period last year. The growth in

turnover was contributed by higher exports and imports.

Exports: The Company’s export turnover of approx. 125 crore

(prov.) during Apr.-Sept.’17 was significantly higher when compared

with export of 84 crore in the corresponding period last year. During

the period, the Company supplied steel rails worth ₹124 crore to Iranagainst an MOU entered into with Iranian Railways. The Company also

exported small quantities of agro pesticides to Iran.

Imports: The Company achieved an import turnover of approx.

₹ 6215 crore (prov.) during Apr-Sept’17 as against ₹ 2339 crore achievedduring the corresponding period last year. The entire import turnover

came through import of higher quantities of gold/silver which yielded

sales worth ₹ 6215 crore as against ₹ 239 crore during the correspondingperiod last year.

During April-Sept’17, import of urea was nil as against ₹2048 croreduring the corresponding period last year due to no authorization for

import being received by STC from the GOI.


Domestic sales: During Apr–Sept.’17, domestic sales of the Com-

pany stood at approx. ₹160 crore (prov.). The Company continued tosupply fertilizers to tobacco growers under an agreement entered into

with Tobacco Board and effected sales of fertilizers worth ₹75 crore.The Company also continued to undertake cardamom auctions under

licence from Spices Board and sold cardamom worth ₹40 crore.

During April-Sept’17, the Company supplied pulses worth ₹15 croreto Tamil Nadu State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. (TNSCSC) and im-

ported coal worth ₹18 crore to M/s. BORL against a contract enteredinto with them for supply of low sulfur coal.

Profitability: During Apr-Jun’17, the Company’s Profit Before Tax

amounted to ₹13.85 crore,

Estimates: 2017-18 (Full Year): The Company hopes to achieve a

turnover of 11000 crore during the full year 2017-18 comprising ex-

ports of ₹ 600 crore, imports worth Rs.10000 crore and domestic sales

of ₹400 crore.

STCL LIMITED:

STCL was originally incorporated in the name and style as “CAR-

DAMOM TRADING CORPORATION LIMITED” as a PRIVATE

LIMITED COMPANY under the Companies Act, 1956 in October 1982.

Consequent to the change of name, the Company obtained a

fresh certificate of incorporation under the name of SPICES

TRADING CORPORATION LIMITED with effect from August

1987 in order to widen its marketing base from Cardamom to other

range of spices.

Thereafter, STCL became a subsidiary of the State Trading Cor-

poration of India Ltd., with effect from 14.09.1999 and shares held

by the Ministry of Commerce were transferred to the State Trading

Corporation of India Ltd.

With the diversified trading activities, the company’s name has

been further amended its name from Spices Trading Corporation Lim-

ited to “STCL LIMITED” and fresh Certificate of Incorporation

under the name of STCL Limited has been obtained with effect from

August 13, 2004.

Performance: There is no business activities and hence no turnover

as the company is in the process of winding up. However, the company

is attending to all the administrative issues, apart from pending legal

cases and recovery processes initiated. The Company was exempted

from entering MoU for the year 2016-17.

The details of actual achievement of the company is as follows:

Present Position of the Company: The company is incurring loss

from the year 2008-09 and is having a negative net worth Rs. 3,911.89

crores as on 31.03.2017.

In view of the above, the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on

13.08.2013 had approved the winding-up of the company. Accordingly,

the company has filed winding up petition vide No. 272/2013 on

26.11.2013 in the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka for winding-up of

the company u/s 443[a] of the Companies Act, 1956 and the petition

is pending for disposal. �

Rs. In Crores

Particulars 2015-16 (Audited) 2016-17 (Audited)

Gross Sales Nil Nil

PBT -480.7 -562.77


PROGRAMMES UNDERTAkENFOR THE WELFARE OF

SCs/STs/OBCs, WOMEN & PERSON WITH DISABILITIES


The Department of Commerce liaises with the attached

and sub-ordinate offices, autonomous bodies, Public

Sector Undertakings and Commodity Boards under its

administrative control for proper implementation of

the directions of the Government of India related to

the reservation as well as other welfare measures for the SCs, STs,

OBCs categories.

There is an SC/ST Cell headed by the Liaison Officer – an offi-

cer of the level of Deputy Secretary, functioning in the Department

of Commerce. The Liaison Officer ensures prompt disposal of the

grievances of the SC/ ST category employees and also takes care

that the various benefits admissible to the reserved categories are

complied with by the associate organizations of the Department.

A statement showing total number of Government employees

and the number of SCs/ STs/ OBCs/PWDs as on 31.10.2017 in

Department of Commerce (proper) and its associate organizations

is shown at Annexure A. The welfare activities undertaken by dif-

ferent organizations attached to this Department are given in the

succeeding paragraphs.

Welfare of SC,ST and OBC

1) PEC LTD

Government Directives / Instructions with regards to

SCs/STs/OBCs are duly complied with in PEC. In PEC, there exists

a Time Scale Promotion Scheme for staff cadre. Qualifying period

for promotion for employees belonging to SC/ST categories is re-

laxed by one year in each stage of Promotion. Further a Complaints

register is being maintained at Head Office. No complaint has been

received till date.

2) Spices Board

The Board had constituted SC/ST & OBC Committees for look-

ing after the welfare of the employees and to sort out their problems.

3) MMTC Ltd.

The total strength of employees in MMTC as on 31st October,

2017 was 1174 (including Board level executives and MICA employ-

ees), out of which 246 (20.95%) employees belong to SC category,

110 (9.36%) to ST category and 116 (9.88%) to OBC category.

Women employees represented 20.87% (245 employees) of the total

manpower.

SC/ST Cell and Liaison Officer

An SC/ST Cell is in existence in the Company. A Chief General

Manager has been appointed in the Corporate Office as Chief Liai-

son Officer and Liaison Officers have been appointed in Regional

offices to ensure compliance of the Orders and Instructions of the

Government Directives pertaining to reservation and other conces-

sions as admissible to them.

Relaxation and Concessions

The relaxations/concessions extended to SC/ST candidates in

Direct Recruitment are:-

a) Age relaxation upto 5 years;

b) Relaxation upto 5 per cent in qualifying marks in written test;

c) Relaxation upto 5 words per minute is allowed to SC & ST can-

didates in the typing and shorthand tests; and

d) Relaxation in percentage of marks in prescribed educational

qualifications to the extent specified under the rules.

As regards departmental promotion following relaxations

are provided:-

a) For promotion from staff cadre to officer cadre, relaxation of

5% in qualifying marks in written test,

b) Relaxation of upto 5 w.p.m. given in typing test in promotion to

Junior Assistant post,

c) One year relaxation in qualifying period for promotion within

staff cadre, under seniority-cum-fitness.

d) One year relaxation in qualifying period for promotion within

staff cadre, under seniority-cum-fitness.

SC/ST representative is nominated in all Selection Committee

for Direct Recruitment and Departmental Promotion.

Training

In order to upgrade their functional and soft skills, SC and ST

employees are nominated from time to time to various In-house

training programmes as well as programmes conducted by esteemed

institution.

Quarter allotment

Reservation in quarter allotment is provided to SC and ST em-

ployees to the extent of 10% for B type accommodation and 5% in

respect of C & D type accommodation.

Meetings

The Company has in place “Structured Meetings Scheme” in

which the Management meets various representative bodies of em-

ployees periodically in order to discuss and resolve issues on service

matters and welfare measures. In line with this philosophy, periodic

meetings with MMTC SC/ST Welfare Associations in all offices of

the Company and the Federation of MMTC SC/ST Welfare Asso-

ciations are convened.

4) Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd.

SC/ST Candidates:

1. Pre-examination training for recruitment is conducted for can-

didates from SC/ST category.

2. The representatives of SC/ST Union are nominated for training

on reservation for recruitment and promotion in Government

Companies.

3. Liaison Officer for SC/ST has been appointed to deal with the

matter related to employees from SC/ST category.

4. Reservation is provided to SC/ST candidates in recruitment and

promotion as per Government of India rules.

5. At least one member from SC/ST category is appointed on the

panels constituted for recruitment/promotion of

candidates/employees.

OBC Candidates:

1. Reservation policy of Government of India is followed for re-

cruitment of OBC candidates.

2. Liaison Officer for OBC has been appointed to deal with the

matter related to employees from OBC category. Due consider-

ation is given for appointment of member from OBC category

on recruitment panels.

5) Indian Trade Promotion Organization

Guidelines on reservation were complied with in ITPO. Liaison

officers have been nominated to look after the interests of SCs/STs

& OBCs. In every Departmental promotion/selection committee

meeting officers of appropriate level belonging to SC/ST and mi-

nority category have been associated to look after the interests of

the candidates belonging to these categories.

6) Coffee Board

The Coffee Board is pursuing a multi dimension approach by

creating an enabling environment keeping in view the overall welfare

and development of the SC, ST, OBC and Women Employees.

7) Noida Sez

All Government directives/insturctions with regard to

SC/ST/OBC are duly complied with by NSEZ. As against total em-

ployees of 68, NSEZ has 13, 3 and 11 employees belonging to SC,ST


and OBC respectively.

8) State Trading Corporation of India (STC) Limited

In the period (from 01.01.2017 to 31.10.2017) a total of 100 em-

ployees underwent training under various programmes organized by

STC. The category wise break-up of the employees trained during

the said period is given below:

9) Directorate General of commercial Intelligence and Statis-

tics

Liaison officer for SC/ST and OBC has been appointed and as

per the direction of Liaison officers this Directorate submit requi-

sition to component authority for appointment of candidates.

10) Cochin SEZ

In so far as filling up of the posts are concerned, the roster of

reservations for SC/ST/OBC has been strictly adhered to. A Com-

plaint Committee has been constituted by this office to deal with the

complaints and also given wide publicity to constitute the committee

as per the instructions issued by the Government of India to deal

with the harassment to women in work place.

11) Visakhapatnam SEZ

Appointed ‘Liaison Officer’ to protect interest of SC&ST em-

ployees. JDC, VSEZ appointed as ‘Liaison Officer’ for OBC Em-

ployees.

Programmes Undertaken for Welfare of Persons with Disabil-

ities(PwDs)

The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection

of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 Act stipulates 3% reser-

vation in the posts under the Government to be provided for Per-

sons with Disabilities (PWDs) – reserving 1% of the posts for

Persons suffering from each disability i.e (i) Blindness and low vision

(VH) (ii) hearing impairment (HH) (iii) locomotor disability or cere-

bral palsy (OH)

There are guidelines on providing facilities to the disabled per-

sons so that a barrier-free workplace is made accessible to the dif-

ferently abled persons. A statement showing total number of

PWDs in different categories as on 31.10.2016 in Department of

Commerce (proper) and its associate organizations is shown at An-

nexure B.

1) PEC LTD

Government Directives/instructions with regards to PWDs are

duly Complied with in PEC. In PEC, there exists a Time Scale Pro-

motion Scheme for staff cadre. Qualifying period for promotion for

Persons with Disabilities is relaxed by one year in each stage of Pro-

motion. Further a Complaints register is being maintained at Head

Office. No complaint has been received till date.

2) Spices Board

The Board had nominated a Liaison officer for reservation mat-

ters relating to person with disabilities. 1 post has been notified for

Group A with the approval of Department of Commerce which is

being processed.

3) Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Develop-

ment Authority

As per Govt norms, the reservation for PwDs is 3% of the total

strength in all grades. Against the existing staff strength of 87, two

incumbents are physically handicapped. APEDA has taken care of

the welfare of persons with disabilities (PwDs). APEDA has pro-

Category SC ST OBC Women

No. of Employees 27 04 21 37Trained

vided motorized wheel chair to one of the employees to move within

the office. Further, all the facilities as per rule are given to them.

So far no complaints have been received from them.


1. PWD candidates are transferred according to suitability of posts

to PWD employees.

2. Scribe is allowed to them in recruitment and promotional exam-

ination.

3. PWD employees are preferably posted in the offices at ground

floor.

4. Government Reservation Policy for recruitment of PWD is

strictly followed.

5. Liaison Officer for PWD has been appointed to deal with the

matter related to candidates from PWD category.

5) Coffee Board

The Coffee Board is pursuing a multi dimension approach by

creating an enabling environment keeping in view the overall welfare

and development of the PwD Employees.

6) State Trading Corporation of India (STC) Limited

In the period (from 01.01.2017 to 31.10.2017), 03 nos. Of PWD

employees have undergone training under programmes organized by

STC.

7) MMTC Limited

a) In order to have easy access to office premises, ramp has been

provided for physically challenged employees. Employee with

disability of lower limbs has been provided wheel chair for easy

mobility within the office premises.

b) PWD employees are posted to positions, taking into account

their disability, to enable them to perform their job efficiently.

c) Office buildings have auditory signals announcing the floor des-

tination. Some of them have floor requisition buttons in Braille

symbols.

8) Cochin SEZ

Roster for reservation has been strictly adhered to.

9) Noida SEZ

Recruitment related direction and instructions issued by the

Government for welfare of PWD has been followed in this office

and one post are reserved for orthopedically handicapped person in

Group ‘C’ Category and same has been filled up by

absorption/transfer on 07.11.2016.

Programmes Undertaken for Welfare of Women

An independent Women Cell has been set up in the Department

of Commerce with the following functions:

a) Coordination with the Ministry of Women and Child Develop-

ment, National Commission for Women and other concerned

agencies in respect of the matters connected with welfare of

Women.

b) To review plan schemes and other programmes of the Depart-

ment of Commerce and to ensure aspects of women welfare,

development and welfare.

c) Preparation of action plans pertaining to the Department for

overall development of Women in line with the National Policy

for Empowerment of Women.

d) Observing Awareness Week for prevention of sexual harassment

of women along with Vigilance Awareness Week.

e) Other incidental matters relating to the subject.

1) PEC LTD

PEC is a small organisation having total 120 employees out of

which 27 are women, as on 31.10.2016. In compliance with terms

of Section 4(1) of the Sexual Harassment of women at workplace


(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, ‘Internal Com-

plaints Committee has been re-constituted in PEC for prevention

and redressal of sexual harassment of women at workplace.

A comprehensive policy for Prevention, Prohibition and Redres-

sal of Sexual Harassment of women employee in PEC has been

adopted with the approval of the Competent Authority. During the

year, no complaint has been received from any employee.

2) Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Develop-

ment Authority

APEDA has formed a committee for receiving complaints

against Sexual harassments against Women at work Places. The com-

mittee also includes Women Officers.

3) MMTC Ltd.

a) Women welfare activities in MMTC are derived out of the broad

guidelines of the National Policy on Women Empowerment and

objectives of the Forum of Women in Public Sector (WIPS).

MMTC encourages participation of its women employees in this

forum. A General Manager of MMTC, a female officer, is the

General Secretary – WIPS APEX. Many other women employ-

ees are member of WIPS.

b) There is an active Complaint Committee at Corporate Office as

well as at Regional Offices to deal with Sexual Harassment of

women at workplace. Women employees are free to approach

the Complaint Committee to register any complaint related to

sexual harassment. From time to time, efforts are made to sen-

sitize women employees of their rights under the Sexual Harass-

ment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and

Redressal) Act 2013. Monthly report is also obtained from Re-

gional offices of cases of sexual harassment of women for close

monitoring.

c) Good representation of women employees is ensured in various

functional and behavioural trainings organized by MMTC.


1. Programmes on issues related to women is conducted on

Women Day.

2. Women employees are nominated for the

programs/seminars/workshop conducted by WIPS

3. A committee on sexual harassment at workplaces has been con-

stituted.

4. Due consideration is given to appointment of women member

on panels for recruitment.

5) Indian Trade Promotion Organization

A women’s cell has been created in ITPO in regard to Sexual ha-

rassment of women at workplace, and reports in this regard are

being sent to Department of Commerce every month.

6) Tea Board

The Tea Board is in the process of setting up of special cell for

women where outside experts are being invited as members for their

valuable opinion and advice as and when required.

7) Noida Sez

In accordance with Section 4 of sexual harassment of womn at

work place, (prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act, 2013 an in-

trnal complaint to Committree have been constituted which is leaded

by a woman officer and has 2 women membrs, including one woman

NGO member.

8) Directorate General of commercial Intelligence and Statis-

tics

In case of women, a women cell has been constituted for look-

ing after the matter of women.

9) Kandla SEZ

This office has constituted a special committee for prevention

of sexual harassment against women and treats all its employees

whether SC/ST OBC & Women equally.

10) Visakhapatnam SEZ

Constituted Internal Complaints Committee under Sexual Ha-

rassment of woman at workplace Prevention, Prohibition & Redres-

sal Act, 2013.


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rved

fo

r S

C a

nd

ST

wh

ich

(a

s o

n 3

1st

recr

uit

ed d

uri

ng

d

uri

ng

cal

end

ar

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

d

uri

ng

cal

end

ar

rem

ain

ed u

nfi

lled

at

the

end

O

cto

ber

, 201

7)ca

len

dar

yea

r 20

17ye

ar 2

017

year

201

7ye

ar 2

017

of

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up C

278

199

4940

1817

2321

10

Gro

up D

N

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

A(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

N

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

A(S

wee

per o

nly)

Gro

up A

250

50

10

10

1

Gro

up B

310

60

10

40

1

Gro

up C

310

40

30

60

8

Gro

up D

0

00

00

00

00

(exc

ludi

ng s

wee

per)

Gro

up D

0

00

00

00

00

(Sw

eepe

r onl

y)

Gro

up A

113

(1 o

n de

puta

tion)

1119

35

-21

1-

Gro

up B

353

51

5-

8-

-

Gro

up C

180

526

13

-26

1-

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng s

wee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r onl

y)

Gro

up A

717

(4-D

irect

, 13

28

125

2 (D

eput

atio

n)-

3-D

eput

atio

n)

Gro

up B

981

22-

81

28-

SC

-3, S

T-2

(All

recr

uitm

ent

proc

ess

of th

e po

sts

was

kep

t in

abey

ance

as

per t

he d

irect

ors

of M

inis

try )

Gro

up C

79-

12-

4-

33-

SC

-3 (A

ll re

crui

tmen

t pro

cess

of

the

pos

ts w

as k

ept i

n ab

eyan

ce

as p

er th

e di

rect

ors

of M

inis

try )

Gro

up D

25

-5

-5

-6

--

(exc

ludi

ng s

wee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r onl

y)

SU

B T

OTA

L (B

)44

4533

869

763

313

2591

765

107

Agr

icul

ture

and

Pro

cess

edFo

od P

rodu

cts

Exp

ort D

evel

-op

men

t Au-

thor

ity(A

PE

DA

), N

ewD

elhi

Exp

ort

Insp

ectio

nC

ounc

il of

Indi

a (E

IC),

New

Del

hi

The

Mar

ine

prod

ucts

E

xpor

t D

evel

opm

ent

Aut

horit

y(M

PE

DA

)


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f S

C c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f S

T c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

BC

cat

ego

ryN

o. o

f va

can

cies

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

SC

Em

p.

can

did

ate

recr

uit

edS

T E

mp

.ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

O

BC

Em

p.

can

did

ate

recr

uit

ed

rese

rved

fo

r S

C a

nd

ST

wh

ich

(a

s o

n 3

1st

recr

uit

ed d

uri

ng

d

uri

ng

cal

end

ar

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

d

uri

ng

cal

end

ar

rem

ain

ed u

nfi

lled

at

the

end

O

cto

ber

, 201

7)ca

len

dar

yea

r 20

17ye

ar 2

017

year

201

7ye

ar 2

017

of

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

PU

BL

IC S

EC

TOR

UN

DE

RTA

KIN

GS

UN

DE

R D

EPA

RT

ME

NT

OF

CO

MM

ER

CE

Gro

up A

427

710

10

230

422

As

per t

he s

tate

men

t of l

ast y

ear a

s on

31.1

0.20

16 fo

r the

per

iod

from

01.

01.2

016

to 3

1.10

.201

6, 0

2 S

C v

acan

cies

and

01

ST

vaca

ncie

s w

ere

ther

e an

d w

ere

unde

r sc

reen

ing

proc

ess.

Dur

ing

the

scre

enin

g pr

oces

s on

ly 0

1 S

C c

andi

date

fulfi

lled

the

elig

ibili

ty c

riter

ia a

nd w

as s

elec

ted

and

issu

ed o

ffer l

ette

r but

he

did

not j

oin.

Th

eref

ore,

the

rese

rved

02

SC

and

01

ST

posi

tion

rem

ain

unfil

led,

whi

ch w

ill b

e fil

led

in fu

ture

recr

uitm

ent p

roce

ss. D

urin

g th

e pe

riod

from

01.

01.2

017

to 3

1.10

.201

7 no

fres

h re

crui

tmen

t pro

cess

was

initi

ated

.

Gro

up B

102

014

010

08

0In

STC

, no

recr

uitm

ent h

as ta

ken

plac

e in

grou

p B

& C

sin

ce la

st 2

1 ye

ars

(app

rox.

) ex

cept

on

com

pass

iona

te a

ppoi

ntm

ent

mad

e as

per

pol

icy

of th

e or

gani

zatio

n.

Gro

up C

970

420

110

60

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

464

1091

036

036

4-

Gro

up B

468

-94

-58

-20

--

Gro

up C

106

-17

-6

-28

--

Gro

up D

13

6-

44-

10-

32-

-(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Sta

te T

radi

ngC

orpo

ratio

nO

f Ind

ia(S

TC),

New

Del

hi

Min

eral

s an

dM

etal

s Tr

adin

g C

orpo

ratio

n(M

MTC

) Li

mite

d,

New

Del

hi


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f S

C c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f S

T c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

BC

cat

ego

ryN

o. o

f va

can

cies

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

SC

Em

p.

can

did

ate

recr

uit

edS

T E

mp

.ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

O

BC

Em

p.

can

did

ate

recr

uit

ed

rese

rved

fo

r S

C a

nd

ST

wh

ich

(a

s o

n 3

1st

recr

uit

ed d

uri

ng

d

uri

ng

cal

end

ar

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

d

uri

ng

cal

end

ar

rem

ain

ed u

nfi

lled

at

the

end

O

cto

ber

, 201

7)ca

len

dar

yea

r 20

17ye

ar 2

017

year

201

7ye

ar 2

017

of

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up A

140

-27

--05

--13

----

Gro

up B

68--

14--

04--

01--

--

Gro

up C

223

0948

505

--20

041(

ST)

Gro

up D

29

0--

68--

03--

10--

---

(exc

ludi

ng s

wee

per)

Gro

up D

49

--47

----

----

----

(Sw

eepe

r onl

y)

Gro

up A

107

(incl

udin

g C

MD

, 4

(Thr

ee jo

ined

21

-6

-18

0104

2 D

irect

ors

and

CV

O)

in M

arch

, 201

7)

Gro

up B

10-

02-

01-

02-

-

Gro

up C

03-

01-

01-

--

-

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng s

wee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r onl

y)

Gro

up A

256

NIL

40N

IL14

NIL

37N

ILN

IL

Gro

up B

331

2859

225

170

6N

il

Gro

up C

22N

IL8

NIL

3N

IL1

NIL

NIL

Gro

up D

9

NIL

2N

ILN

ILN

ILN

ILN

ILN

IL(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ILN

ILN

ILN

ILN

ILN

ILN

IL(S

wee

per o

nly)

SU

B T

OTA

L (C

)33

0858

740

722

11

344

175

GR

AN

D T

OTA

L =

(Do

C+A

+B+C

)10

269

469

1971

9470

134

1530

8614

2

Indi

an T

rade

Pro

mot

ion

Org

anis

atio

n(IT

PO

), N

ew D

elhi

Pro

ject

and

Equ

ipm

ent

Cor

pora

tion

of In

dia

(PE

C)

Lim

ited,

N

ew D

elhi

Exp

ort C

redi

tG

uara

ntee

Cor

pora

tion

of In

dia

(EC

GC

) Li

mite

d,M

umba

i


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f V

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f H

H c

ateg

ory

Tota

l no

. of

vaca

nci

es r

eser

ved

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

Vis

ual

lyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

Orth

opae

dica

llyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

H

eari

ng

ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

fo

r P

WD

s, w

hic

h r

emai

ned

un

fille

d

(as

on

31s

t re

cru

ited

du

rin

g

Han

dica

pped

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

H

and

icap

ped

d

uri

ng

cal

end

ar

Han

dic

app

ed

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

as

on

31s

t O

cto

ber

201

7 (R

easo

ns

Oct

ob

er, 2

017)

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

Em

ploy

ees

year

201

7E

mp

loye

esye

ar 2

017

Em

plo

yees

year

201

7fo

r n

on

-fill

ing

of

rese

rved

vac

anci

es)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up A

133

--

--

--

--

Gro

up B

195

-2

-2

--

2-

Gro

up C

164

-2

-1

--

-1

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

AT

TAC

HE

D A

ND

SU

BO

RD

INA

TE

OF

FIC

ES

UN

DE

R D

EPA

RT

ME

NT

OF

CO

MM

ER

CE

Gro

up A

137

9N

ilN

il02

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up B

353

241

Nil

3N

il3

Nil

Nil

Gro

up C

460

Nil

1N

il8

Nil

Nil

Nil

5

Gro

up D

23

2N

ilN

ilN

il1

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

3

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

23C

ontro

lled

by C

adre

-

Con

trolle

d by

Cad

re

-C

ontro

lled

by C

adre

-

Con

trolle

d by

Cad

reC

ontro

lled

by C

adre

Con

trolli

ng A

utho

rity

Con

trolli

ng A

utho

rity

Con

trolli

ng A

utho

rity

Con

trolli

ng A

utho

rity

Con

trolli

ng A

utho

rity

Gro

up B

182

--

-3

--

-A

ll G

roup

B p

osts

are

pro

mot

iona

l po

sts

and

ther

e is

no

prov

isio

n of

re

serv

atio

n fo

r PW

Ds.

Gro

up C

102

5-

-2

--

-R

equi

sitio

n al

read

y se

nt to

SS

C fo

r 2 P

WD

cand

idat

es (1

PW

Ds

for D

PA p

ost a

nd 1

for

LDC

pos

t)

Gro

up C

* 39

-1

--

--

-R

equi

sitio

n al

read

y se

nt to

SS

C fo

r (M

TS)

1 P

WD

can

dida

te.

Gro

up D

A

s pe

r rec

omm

enda

tion

of 6

th C

PC

all

grou

p D

em

ploy

ees

are

treat

ed a

s G

roup

C (M

TS)

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Dep

artm

ent

of C

omm

erce

(Pro

per)

Offi

ce o

f D

irect

orat

eG

ener

al o

fFo

reig

nTr

ade

(DG

FT),

New

Del

hi

Dire

ctor

ate

Gen

eral

of

Com

mer

cial

Inte

llige

nce

and

Sta

tistic

s(D

GC

I&S

),K

olka

ta

ANNEXURE - B


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f V

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f H

H c

ateg

ory

Tota

l no

. of

vaca

nci

es r

eser

ved

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

Vis

ual

lyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

Orth

opae

dica

llyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

H

eari

ng

ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

fo

r P

WD

s, w

hic

h r

emai

ned

un

fille

d

(as

on

31s

t re

cru

ited

du

rin

g

Han

dica

pped

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

H

and

icap

ped

d

uri

ng

cal

end

ar

Han

dic

app

ed

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

as

on

31s

t O

cto

ber

201

7 (R

easo

ns

Oct

ob

er, 2

017)

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

Em

ploy

ees

year

201

7E

mp

loye

esye

ar 2

017

Em

plo

yees

year

201

7fo

r n

on

-fill

ing

of

rese

rved

vac

anci

es)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up A

03N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il

Gro

up B

25N

ilN

ilN

il01

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up C

26N

ilN

ilN

il01

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up D

(e

xclu

ding

N

ILsw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

(S

wee

per

NIL

only

)

Gro

up A

51

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up B

576

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up C

36N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(S

wee

per

only

)

Gro

up A

4N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il

Gro

up B

8N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il

Gro

up C

38N

ilN

ilN

il1

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up D

37

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

2

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

4N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il

Gro

up B

12N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il

Gro

up C

18N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Coc

hin

SE

Z,C

ochi

n

ME

PZ,

C

henn

ai

Kan

dla

SE

Z,K

andl

a

Vis

hakh

apat

-na

m S

EZ,

Vis

hakh

apat

-na

m


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f V

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f H

H c

ateg

ory

Tota

l no

. of

vaca

nci

es r

eser

ved

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

Vis

ual

lyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

Orth

opae

dica

llyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

H

eari

ng

ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

fo

r P

WD

s, w

hic

h r

emai

ned

un

fille

d

(as

on

31s

t re

cru

ited

du

rin

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Han

dica

pped

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

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and

icap

ped

d

uri

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end

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dic

app

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rin

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alen

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as

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cto

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7 (R

easo

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Oct

ob

er, 2

017)

cale

nd

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ear

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Em

ploy

ees

year

201

7E

mp

loye

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017

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plo

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year

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on

-fill

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of

rese

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anci

es)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(S

wee

per

only

)

Gro

up A

2N

ilN

ilN

il-

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up B

23N

ilN

ilN

il-

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up C

10N

ilN

ilN

il1

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(S

wee

per

only

)

Gro

up A

6 (o

n -

--

--

--

-de

puta

tion

basi

s)

Gro

up B

15 (1

4 on

-

--

--

--

-de

puta

tion

basi

s+1)

Gro

up B

20 (1

9 on

-

--

--

--

-(N

on G

azett

ed)

depu

tatio

n ba

sis+

1)

Gro

up C

61 (6

0+1

on

61-

--

--

-1

LDC

(HH

)de

puta

tion

basi

s)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

33

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up B

1717

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up C

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(S

wee

per o

nly)

FALT

A S

EZ,

Kol

kata

SE

EP

Z S

EZ,

Mum

bai

Indo

re S

EZ,

Indo

re


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f V

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f H

H c

ateg

ory

Tota

l no

. of

vaca

nci

es r

eser

ved

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

Vis

ual

lyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

Orth

opae

dica

llyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

H

eari

ng

ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

fo

r P

WD

s, w

hic

h r

emai

ned

un

fille

d

(as

on

31s

t re

cru

ited

du

rin

g

Han

dica

pped

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

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and

icap

ped

d

uri

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end

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dic

app

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rin

g c

alen

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as

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31s

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cto

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7 (R

easo

ns

Oct

ob

er, 2

017)

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

Em

ploy

ees

year

201

7E

mp

loye

esye

ar 2

017

Em

plo

yees

year

201

7fo

r n

on

-fill

ing

of

rese

rved

vac

anci

es)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up A

4-

--

--

--

-

Gro

up B

22-

--

--

--

-

Gro

up C

41-

--

-1

--

-

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

(S

wee

per

only

)

SU

B T

OTA

L (A

)20

3012

63

Nil

231

30

9

AU

TON

OM

OU

S B

OD

IES

AN

D C

OM

MO

DIT

Y B

OA

RD

S U

ND

ER

DE

PAR

TM

EN

T O

F C

OM

ME

RC

E

Gro

up A

89N

il-

Nil

1N

il-

Nil

Nil

Gro

up B

187

Nil

2N

il3

Nil

1N

ilN

il

Gro

up C

524

Nil

3N

il4

Nil

3N

ilN

il

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

94N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il1

Gro

up B

133

Nil

Nil

Nil

4N

ilN

ilN

ilN

il

Gro

up C

197

Nil

3N

il3

Nil

2N

ilN

il

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

N

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

ilN

il(S

wee

per

only

)

Gro

up A

302

--

-1

--

--

Gro

up B

616

-2

-8

-2

--

Gro

up C

589

-2

-10

-2

--

NO

IDA

SE

Z,N

OID

A

Cof

fee

Boa

rd,

Ban

galo

re

Spi

ces

Boa

rd,

Coc

hin

Rub

ber

Boa

rd,

Kot

taya

m


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f V

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f H

H c

ateg

ory

Tota

l no

. of

vaca

nci

es r

eser

ved

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

Vis

ual

lyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

Orth

opae

dica

llyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

H

eari

ng

ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

fo

r P

WD

s, w

hic

h r

emai

ned

un

fille

d

(as

on

31s

t re

cru

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du

rin

g

Han

dica

pped

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

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and

icap

ped

d

uri

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cal

end

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dic

app

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rin

g c

alen

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as

on

31s

t O

cto

ber

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7 (R

easo

ns

Oct

ob

er, 2

017)

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

Em

ploy

ees

year

201

7E

mp

loye

esye

ar 2

017

Em

plo

yees

year

201

7fo

r n

on

-fill

ing

of

rese

rved

vac

anci

es)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up D

1

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

910

00

00

00

1st (

a) In

resp

onse

to 1

st N

otifi

catio

n,

96 a

pplic

atio

ns re

ceiv

ed b

ut o

nly

one

appl

ican

t is

elig

ible

. H

owev

er, h

e di

d no

t atte

nd fo

r (b)

In re

spon

se to

2n

d N

otifi

catio

n, 1

1 ap

plic

atio

ns

rece

ived

but

non

e of

the

appl

ican

t is

elig

ible

. (c)

Pw

D-H

H c

ateg

ory

is

not a

vaila

ble

whe

reas

oth

er c

ateg

ory

of P

wD

is a

vaila

ble.

Hen

ce B

oard

has

su

bmitt

ed a

lette

r to

the

Min

istry

.

Gro

up B

112

00

07

00

00

Gro

up C

328

02

010

01

00

Gro

up D

0

00

00

00

00

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

0

00

00

00

00

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

6936

00

00

00

1

Gro

up B

147

760

00

00

00

Gro

up C

287

199

00

30

00

0

Gro

up D

N

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

A(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

N

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

AN

A(S

wee

per

only

)

Toba

cco

Boa

rd,

Gun

tur

Tea

Boa

rd,

Kol

kata


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f V

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f H

H c

ateg

ory

Tota

l no

. of

vaca

nci

es r

eser

ved

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

Vis

ual

lyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

Orth

opae

dica

llyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

H

eari

ng

ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

fo

r P

WD

s, w

hic

h r

emai

ned

un

fille

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(as

on

31s

t re

cru

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du

rin

g

Han

dica

pped

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

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and

icap

ped

d

uri

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cal

end

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dic

app

ed

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

as

on

31s

t O

cto

ber

201

7 (R

easo

ns

Oct

ob

er, 2

017)

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

Em

ploy

ees

year

201

7E

mp

loye

esye

ar 2

017

Em

plo

yees

year

201

7fo

r n

on

-fill

ing

of

rese

rved

vac

anci

es)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up A

250

00

010

00

0

Gro

up B

310

00

00

00

01

Gro

up C

310

00

010

00

0

Gro

up D

0

00

00

00

00

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

0

00

00

00

00

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

113

(1 o

n de

puta

tion)

11-

-2

--

--

Gro

up B

353

--

2-

--

-

Gro

up C

180

5-

-2

-1

--

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

71(4

-Dire

ct, 3

-Dep

utat

ion)

--

--

--

-

Gro

up B

981

--

--

--

-

Gro

up C

79-

2-

--

--

1(H

H)

Gro

up D

25

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

SU

B T

OTA

L (B

)44

5433

816

Nil

62N

il12

Nil

5

Agr

icul

ture

and

Pro

cess

edFo

od P

rod-

ucts

Exp

ort

Dev

elop

men

tA

utho

rity

(AP

ED

A),

New

Del

hi

Exp

ort

Insp

ectio

nC

ounc

il of

Indi

a (E

IC),

New

Del

hi

The

Mar

ine

prod

ucts

E

xpor

t D

evel

opm

ent

Aut

horit

y


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f V

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f H

H c

ateg

ory

Tota

l no

. of

vaca

nci

es r

eser

ved

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

Vis

ual

lyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

Orth

opae

dica

llyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

H

eari

ng

ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

fo

r P

WD

s, w

hic

h r

emai

ned

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fille

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on

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t re

cru

ited

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Han

dica

pped

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

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and

icap

ped

d

uri

ng

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end

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dic

app

ed

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rin

g c

alen

dar

as

on

31s

t O

cto

ber

201

7 (R

easo

ns

Oct

ob

er, 2

017)

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

Em

ploy

ees

year

201

7E

mp

loye

esye

ar 2

017

Em

plo

yees

year

201

7fo

r n

on

-fill

ing

of

rese

rved

vac

anci

es)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

PU

BL

IC S

EC

TOR

UN

DE

RTA

KIN

GS

UN

DE

R D

EPA

RT

ME

NT

OF

CO

MM

ER

CE

Gro

up A

427

72

18

01

0A

s pe

r the

sta

tem

ent o

f las

t yea

r as

on31

.10.

2016

for t

he p

erio

d fro

m 0

1.01

.201

6 to

31.

10.2

016,

02

SC

vac

anci

es a

nd 0

1 S

T va

canc

ies

wer

e th

ere

and

wer

e un

der

scre

enin

g pr

oces

s. D

urin

g th

e sc

reen

ing

proc

ess

only

01

SC

can

dida

te fu

lfille

d th

e el

igib

ility

crit

eria

and

was

sel

ecte

d an

d is

sued

offe

r let

ter b

ut h

e di

d no

t joi

n.

Ther

efor

e, th

e re

serv

ed 0

2 S

C a

nd 0

1 S

T po

sitio

n re

mai

n un

fille

d, w

hich

will

be

fille

d in

futu

re re

crui

tmen

t pro

cess

. Dur

ing

the

perio

d fro

m 0

1.01

.201

7 to

31.

10.2

017

no fr

esh

recr

uitm

ent p

roce

ss w

as in

itiat

ed.

Gro

up B

102

01

01

00

0In

STC

, no

recr

uitm

ent h

as ta

ken

plac

e in

gr

oup

B &

C s

ince

last

21

year

s (a

ppro

x.)

exce

pt o

n co

mpa

ssio

nate

app

oint

men

t m

ade

as p

er p

olic

y of

the

orga

niza

tion.

Gro

up C

970

00

10

00

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(exc

ludi

ng

swee

per)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

(Sw

eepe

r on

ly)

Gro

up A

464

101

09

03

01

Gro

up B

468

-1

08

00

00

Gro

up C

106

-0

01

00

00

Gro

up D

13

6-

00

00

00

0(e

xclu

ding

sw

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r)

Gro

up D

-

--

--

--

--

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eepe

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ly)

Sta

te T

radi

ngC

orpo

ratio

nO

f Ind

ia(S

TC) ,

New

Del

hi

Min

eral

s an

dM

etal

s Tr

adin

g C

orpo

ratio

n(M

MTC

) Li

mite

d,

New

Del

hi


Nam

e o

f G

rou

pTo

tal n

o. o

f To

tal N

o. o

f N

o. o

f N

o. o

f V

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f O

H c

ateg

ory

N

o. o

f N

o. o

f H

H c

ateg

ory

Tota

l no

. of

vaca

nci

es r

eser

ved

O

rgan

isat

ion

Em

plo

yees

ca

nd

idat

es

Vis

ual

lyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

Orth

opae

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llyca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

H

eari

ng

ca

nd

idat

e re

cru

ited

fo

r P

WD

s, w

hic

h r

emai

ned

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(as

on

31s

t re

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ited

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g

Han

dica

pped

du

rin

g c

alen

dar

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and

icap

ped

d

uri

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end

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app

ed

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rin

g c

alen

dar

as

on

31s

t O

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ber

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easo

ns

Oct

ob

er, 2

017)

cale

nd

ar y

ear

2017

Em

ploy

ees

year

201

7E

mp

loye

esye

ar 2

017

Em

plo

yees

year

201

7fo

r n

on

-fill

ing

of

rese

rved

vac

anci

es)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

Gro

up A

148

- -

--

-01

-01

(HH

)

Gro

up B

68-

--

--

--

-

Gro

up C

223

09-

-04

-02

-01

(VH

)

Gro

up D

29

0-

02-

02-

--

-(e

xclu

ding

sw

eepe

r)

Gro

up D

49

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TRANSPARENCY, PUBLICFACILITATION AND ALLIED

ACTIVITIES


CITIZEN CHARTER

The Department of Commerce is committed to act with in-

tegrity, judiciousness, transparency, accountability and with courtesy

and understanding in dealings with the trade and public. All the serv-

ices and commitments are to be delivered to citizens in most effec-

tive and efficient manner.

The Department will strive to evolve procedures in Foreign

Trade Policy to maximize public benefits and is committed to sim-

plify various requirements necessary under rules in force, in the con-

text of a globalized and liberalized economy. We will continuously

consult client groups and give timely publicity to all changes in law

and procedures relevant to the Department.

PUBLIC GRIEVANCES

Public Grievance Cell deals with monitoring public grievances,

problems of staff of Department of Commerce and of offices

under its control for speedy redressal. A Grievance Box has also

been provided at the Information and Facilitation Counter situated

at Gate No.14, Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi.

VIGILANCE WING

The Vigilance Section in the Department with the Joint Secretary

& Chief Vigilance Officer (JS&CVO) as the Divisional head deals

with the following work:-

� implementation of Conduct rules

� processing of annual property returns

� furnishing of CVO’s monthly report on vigilance activities to

CVC

� compiling quarterly statistical reports of vigilance cases for send-

ing a consolidated quarterly report to the Department of Per-

sonnel

� work relating to granting permission under the provision of the

Conduct Rules

Vigilance Section also handles the following activities:-

� conducting regular and surprise inspections of sensitive offices

� review and streamlining of procedures, which appear to afford

scope for corruption or misconduct and for initiating other

measures for the prevention, detection of corruption and other

malpractices and punishment to the corrupt in the Department

as well as its attached and subordinate offices and Public Sector

Undertakings

� keeping a watch on the movement/visits of Undesirable persons

in the Department

� preparation of a list of officers of “Doubtful Integrity” /Agreed

S. No. Services/Transaction Maximum Time Limit

1 Approval for grant of financial assistance under This is a non-plan scheme which has Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme. been merged with MAI from

F.Y. 2017-18.

2 Approval for grant of financial assistance 3 months from the date proposals are under MAI scheme. received in E&MDA Division.

3. Approval for grant of financial assistance in 3 months*respect of projects under Trade Infrastructure (*Subject to availability of complete for Export Scheme (TIES). documents and availability of funds).

4. Approval for setting up of SEZ i. Placement of cases before the Board of Approval (BOA) within 60 days of receipt of State Government’s recommendations and complete documents, ii. Issue of approval letter within 20 days of BOA approval, subject to security clearance.

5. RTI Act, 2005i. Provide information or reject the request i. Within the time limits prescribed in for any of the reasons specified in the RTI Act, 2005. the RTI Act, 2005.ii. Disposal of appeals preferred under RTI Act, 2005. ii. Within the time limits prescribed in

the RTI Act, 2005.

PUBLIC GRIEVANCE MECHANISM

6. Resolving Public Grievances 60 days x(x Subject to receipt of complete details and receipt of response fromthe authority taking final decision on the grievance).(* if longer period is involved, the complainant will be informed through an interim reply within 60 days.)

7. For taking actions by the Appellate Committee Within 3 monthson appeals preferred against statutory orders Note: This is subject to receipt of passed by DGFT, etc. complete details/documents from the

appellant and respondents.


list and their postings to non sensitive areas

The Vigilance Section of the Department mainly deals with the

disciplinary cases of Indian Trade Service officers and Board level

appointees working in various Public Sector Undertakings, Au-

tonomous Bodies and Commodity Boards functioning under the ad-

ministrative control of the Department, while the cases of non

Board level appointees of the various PSUs, Autonomous Bodies

and Commodity Boards are looked after by the respective

CVO/Heads of the Organisations.

The complaints received from individuals and other organiza-

tions like CBI/CVC/PMO etc. are examined on the basis of the fac-

tual report obtained from the concerned administrative

divisions/organizations. If necessary, preliminary inquiries are made

to look into the merit of the complaint. If the complaints have any

substance then a regular departmental action is initiated.

During the year 2017-18 (April’17-22ndOctober’17), about 124

investigations/inquiries were conducted and on the basis of these

inquiry proceedings, in 21 cases major/minor penalties were im-

posed in attached and subordinate offices, PSUs, Autonomous Bod-

ies/Commodity Boards and the Department of Commerce.

Vigilance Awareness Week was observed by conduct of work-

shop/sensitization programmes, pledge taking, issue of pamphlets

etc during the period 30th October, 2017 to 4th November, 2017 to

create awareness amongst officers and staff.

RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI)

The Department of Commerce (DoC) has implemented the

Right to Information Act, 2005 and has put in place all necessary

systems and procedures on the website of the Department. At pres-

ent, there are 36 Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) of

Directors/Deputy Secretaries level in the Department and 16 First

Appellate Authorities (F.A.A.s), who are Additional Secretary/Joint

Secretary level officers to hear and dispose of first appeal(s) filed

under the RTI Act.

Besides, there are 31 Public Authorities (P.A.s) under the juris-

diction of DoC. All these P.A.s have their own CPIOs and F.A.A.s

for implementation of the provisions of the RTI Act.

During the period from April, 2016 to March, 2017, 967 RTI ap-

plications were disposed of by different CPIOs/Appellate Author-

ities of this Department and 494 applications were transferred to

other Public Authorities. During the same period, 118 appeals were

also disposed of as per provisions of the RTI Act.

During the period from April, 2017 to September, 2017, 456 ap-

plications were disposed of by different CPIOs of this Department

and 199 applications were transferred to other Public Authorities.

During the same period, 32 appeals were disposed of as per provi-

sions of the RTI Act.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

The Hindi Section of the Department of Commerce is respon-

sible for promoting the use of official language Hindi in the Depart-

ment. The Hindi section implements the policies made by the

Department of Official language, Ministry of Home Affairs, recom-

mendations made to the Honourable President of India by the Par-

liamentary Committee on Official Language, directions issued by the

Department of Official language for promoting the official language.

The details of the various schemes implemented by the Department

are as follows:

Hindi incentive scheme: Like previous years, the Hindi incen-

tive award scheme was implemented this year also. Under this

scheme, the Hindi speaking officers and employees writing mini-

mum of 20000 words in a year and non- Hindi speaking officers and

employees writing 10000 words in a year are awarded with the cash

prize of Rs. 5000/- . During the year 2016-17, 52 Hindi speaking

and 5 non- Hindi speaking officers/ employees were awarded for

doing their work in Hindi.

Hindi Fortnight: Following the trend in previous years, Hindi

fortnight was organized in the Department during 1-15 September

this year. Five competitions viz. essay writing in Hindi, Noting and

drafting in Hindi, Hindi typing, knowledge of Rajbhasha and trans-

lation and Dictation in Hindi were organised wherein the officers/

employees of the department participated whole- heartedly. The

winners were awarded with cash prize and certificates.

Meeting of the Official Language Implementation Com-

mittee: The meetings of the Official Language Committee were or-

ganised regularly in the year 2016-2017. The meetings are organised

to review the progress of the implementation of the official lan-

guage in the department and the schemes are devised for promoting

the usage of Hindi.

Inspection of attached/ subordinate offices: During the year

2016-2017, the officers of the Department of Commerce inspected

total of 12 attached and subordinate offices and the offices were

instructed how to handle the problems faced while working in Hindi.

Constitution of Hindi Advisory Committee: The constitu-

tion of Hindi Advisory Committee is under process. The notifica-

tion regarding the constitution of Hindi Advisory Committee will

be issued after getting the approval from the Honourable Minister

of State in Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

E-GOVERNANCE

The Department has continued its commitment towards e-Gov-

ernance with the use of ICT in its day to day functioning and

processes, delivery of services, management of country’s trade data-

bases and information dissemination. The Department's web site

(http://commerce.gov.in) is the main source of information dissem-

ination. It is being regularly updated to provide latest information

about the working of the department, various activities, events and

trade negotiations undertaken by the department and updates on

country’s trade.

The high speed Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Net-

work (WAN) with Wi-Fi connectivity are operational and being

maintained by National Informatics Centre (NIC) for 24x7 E-mail,

intranet/ internet operations for the department. An Intranet Portal

is operational and being maintained by NIC to provide single win-

dow access of various e-governance and office automation applica-

tions to the employees and internal users in the department.

Video Conferencing over NICNET is being extensively used in

the department as one of the cost effective measures for organizing

national and international meetings. In last year, forty-eight such

meetings were organized.

As one of the major eGovernance initiatives and induce less

paper environment, the eOffice system has been successfully imple-

mented for electronic file/ receipt movement besides its other com-

ponents like electronic notice board, leave management and tour

management, knowledge management system. The existing files have

been digitized and integrated in the eOffice system.

COMMERCIAL WINGS IN INDIAN MISSIONS/ POSTS

ABROAD

There are 66 formal Commercial Wings functioning in the In-

dian Missions/Posts abroad, which are funded from the Budget of


the Department of Commerce. These Commercial Wings, working

as units are attached to the Indian Missions. These include the Per-

manent Mission of India to the World Trade Organization, Geneva

and the Department’s Mission in Brussels. In addition, 40 other In-

dian Missions have been provided with commercial budget either to

employ local Marketing Assistants for undertaking commercial and

economic job or to carry out trade promotion activities.

The Commercial Wings of our Missions abroad serve as an ex-

tension of the Department of Commerce in performing various

tasks relating to India’s trade with the concerned host country. It

involves:

i) Information and marketing intelligence which would, inter-alia,

include collection and transmission of trade, economic and in-

vestment information; monitoring of economic, commercial and

trade policy developments; monitoring of bilateral economic

and commercial relations, both at the Government-level as well

as at the level of business communities of the two countries;

market research, surveys and critical analysis of ongoing trade;

ii) Trade and investment promotion which would, inter-alia, include

handling trade and investment enquiries, promotion of merchan-

dise trade, promotion of investment & joint ventures and assis-

tance in resolution of trade disputes;

iii) Trade and economic discussions which would, inter-alia, include

follow-up on the bilateral economic and commercial relation-

ship, promotion of project exports and of services, brand/mar-

ket promotion, analysis of emerging trends relating to multilat-

eral and regional institutions with a focus on India’s trade and

investment etc.

In order to strengthen the Commercial Wings and increase their

activities, budgetary allocation for these offices have been augmented

from time to time. The budget provisions have been enhanced from

Rs. 121.35 Crore in BE 2013-14 to Rs. 172.54 Crore in BE 2017-18.

Functioning of Commercial Wings is reviewed from time to

time. An exercise for strengthening the Commercial Wings to fur-

ther the commercial interests of the country across key markets and

to have location specific and need based manpower is underway. The

Department is devising an evaluation framework of the services ren-

dered by the CRs/Trade Commissioner and a web-based system for

reporting data by the Missions/posts abroad to the Department of

Commerce, wherein a revised reporting proforma for the Commer-

cial Wings is under consideration/finalization.

In order to strengthen the capacity of the Commercial Repre-

sentatives in the changing international landscape, the Department

of Commerce is organizing capacity building sessions at the Foreign

Service Institute (FSI), New Delhi under the Ministry of External

Affairs (MEA). Also training sessions for the Commercial Represen-

tatives are planned to be organized region-wise from time to time

through the FSI. �


Status/Action Taken on audit observations appears in various reports

Sl. Year No. of Paras/No. PA reports on

which ATNs have No. of ATNs No. of ATN No. of ATNs sent Sent to No. of ATNs been submitted not sent by pending but returned with Monitoring pending with to PAC after the Ministry with Audit observations and Cell/PAC other reasonsvetting by Audit even for Audit is awaiting Branch

the first time their resubmission (Lok Sabha)by the Ministry

1. 2008 Customs & 1 --- -- --Excise Issues

2. 2009 Customs & 1 -- -- --Excise Issues

3. 2010 Commercial -- -- -- -- 3

4. 2012 Commercial -- -- -- -- 1

5. 2013 Customs & Excise -- 1 -- -- 1

Commercial -- -- --- -- 1

7 2014 Customs & Excise 2 -- --

8. 2015 Customs & Excise -- 1 2 -- --

Civil --- -- -- -- 1

Commercial -- -- 2 -- --

9. 2016 Customs & Excise 3 -- -- --

Commercial --- -- 1 -- --

10 2017 Customs & Excise 1 3 -- --

Civil --- 1 -- -- --

Commercial -- -- 1 -- ---

PAC --- -- -- -- --

Total -27 --- 11 9 7

Details of the Paras/PA reports on which ATNs are pending.

Annexure–IISUMMARY OF THE AUDIT OBSERVATIONS IN THE VARIOUS REPORTS OF 2017

Sl. No. Para/Report No. Gist of Para/Status Audit observations

1

2

3

4

1 of 20174.1.1 to 4.1.5

1 of 20174.5.1

1 of 20174.5.2

12 of 20177.1

Utilization of duty credit by re-registering thescrips (licenses) with different dates.Status:- CAG vide comments dated havesought clarification certain issues with revisecomments from DRI. Matter referred to EDI forinputs on 23.11.2017. Reply awaited.

Incorrect grant of SFIS duty creditStatus:- Revised ATN sent to CAG on28.11.2017

Grant of SHIS duty credit to ineligible goodsStatus:- Revised ATN sent to CAG on29.11.2017

Final ATN approved by Audit. Pending with Section for upload final ATNAPMS portal.

Customs duties for import of inputs and capital goodsunder an export promotion scheme through a notifi-cation. Importers of such exempted goods undertaketo fulfill proscribed export obligation(EO) as well ascomply with specified conditions, failing which the fullrate of duty becomes loveable. During test check ofrecords (April 2014- to March,2016), 35 cases havebeen noticed involving total revenue of 461.66 crorewhere duty exemptions were availed of without ful-filling Eos/conditions. Out of these, thirteen casesare discussed in the following paragraphs and 22cases which have been accepted by the departmentand recoveries made/ recovery proceeding initiatedare mentioned.

Ineffective monitoring by APEDA resulted in non-uti-lization of grant for the intended purpose. APEDAsustained a loss of Rs 1.77 crore towards interestpayable on funds received from M/o Commerce & in-dustry, as an identical clause for levy of interest wasnot inserted in the MoU singed with Spices Board.


LIST OF CIVIL PARAS

Sl. No. Para/Report No. Gist of Para Status of the para

Customs & Excise Issues- EOU/SEZ

1

2

Report No. 8 of 2013

21 of 2014

Reimbursement of CST.

Special Economic Zones(SEZs)

Out of 35 paras continued in the report, CAG havegiven No comments on 23 paras, 2 paras pertain toDeitY. Revised comments on remaining 10 parashave been furnished to CAG on 10.11.2017.

Out of 79 paras contained in the report, CAG havegiven No comments on 31 paras, 9 paras Petain toDoR. Revised comments on remaining 39 parashave been furnished to CAG on 16.11.2017.

Status of Civil Paras EIC/APEDA

Customs & Excise Issues -DGFT

1

2

18 of 2015(2.2)

12 of 2017(7.1)

Avoidable expenditure due to non-collectionof service tax.

Ineffective monitoring by APEDA resulted innon-utilization of grant for the intended pur-pose. APEDA sustained a loss of Rs 1.77crore towards interest payable on funds re-ceived from M/o Commerce & industry, as anidentical clause for levy of interest was not in-serted in the MoU singed with Spices Board.

Sub-judice with Central Sales Tax Tribunal.

Final ATN approved by Audit. Pending with Sectionfor upload final ATN APMS portal.

1

2

3

4

5

6

CA6 of 2008 (Ch-IV)

PA 15 of 2009-10

PA 8 of 2013 (Ch-I)

12 of 2014(2.4 to2.19)

8 of 2015(7.19.2)

8 of 2015 (7.20 to7.23)

Central Excise, service tax and customs.

Import of good under Chapter -71

Deemed Export Drawback Scheme.

Promotional measures (Focus ProductScheme).

Incorrect grant of duty credit scrips on earn-ings in Indian rupees/foreign exchangethrough travel agents.

Achievement of Net Foreign Exchange Earn-ings by Hospitality Sector.

CAG has sought revised ATN on 25 sub paras on5.10.2017. The same had been sought from RAs.Many RAs have responded, ATN sent to CAG on24.11.2017.

w.r.t DGFTs reply on 13.9.2017, CAG vide their com-ments at APMS portal on 26.9.2017, cleared someof sub-paras and sought further action in r/o sub-parsNos. 3.6,4.4, 4.7,4.8.1 & 4.8.2. Revise ATN sent toCAG on 9.10.2017.

CAG on 29.09.2017 had dropped para 1.1 to 1.12and also offer no comments on ATN on Para 3.74 &3.56 to 3.65 being sub-judice. But sought ATNs inr/o para No. 3.1 to 3.93. The Same were obtainedfrom policy 6 and sent to CAG on 26.10.2017. Sub-judice.

CAG has given its no comments and sought infor-mation in r/o of other paras on 23.10.2017.Reply senton 10.11.2017

CAG has sought additional information on22.11.2017. Concerned RAs asked to furnish thereply on 22.11.2017. Information received Pune andJaipur. Information awaited from Mumbai and Goa.Reminder sent by email on 1.12.2017 and8.12.2017.

CAG has cleared para 7.20 only vide letter dated7.12.2017. In r/o of ther paras, CAG has alreadybeen asked to share the cases vide letter on portaldated 01.12.2017. Reply awaited from CAG.



Customs & Excise Issues -DGFT

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

8 of 2015(Para 8)

5 of 2016(Pars 5.2)

5 of 2016(Pars5.3)

5 of 2016(5.5)

5 of 2016(5.6)

1 of 20174.1.1 to 4.1.5

1 of 20174.5.1

1 of 20174.5.2

Audit of DGFTs EDI audit system

Excess DEPB credit due to application of in-correct DEPB credit rate.

Incorrect discharge of advance authoriza-tion(Zonal DGFT, Kolkata)

Grant of SHIS duty credit for services ren-dered beyond the application period

Grant of SHIS duty credit scrip to companiesalready issued Zero duty EPCG and vice-versa

Utilization of duty credit by re-registering thescrips (licenses) with different dates

Incorrect grant of SFIS duty credit

Grant of SHIS duty credit to ineligible goods

CAG vide reply on 20.11.2017 have cleared someparas and sought status/Revised ATNs of others.Matter sent to EDI on 22.11.2017. Revised ATNs re-ceived from EDI on 28.11.2017 by email were notcorrect and ATNs were unsinged. EDI has beenasked to do the needful on 1.12.2017. 3 draft ATNsmade & sent to EDI for ready reference on7.12.2017.

Revised ATN sent to Audit on 21.11.2017

CAG vide their note at APMS portal on 16.10.2017sought specific reply to the audit comments. RevisedATN sent on 10.11.2017

CAG on 29.11.2017 have sought additional informa-tion. Same called from RA on 29.11.2017 and replyreceived on 1.12.2017 and sent to CAG on1.12.2017.

CAG sought additional information/Revised ATNs.Revised reply sent to CAG on 23.11.2017.

CAG vide comments dated 20.11.2017 have soughtclarification certain issues with revise comments fromDRI. Matter referred to EDI for inputs on 23.11.2017.Reply awaited.

CAG had sought additional information on22.11.2017. Information called from RA Chennai on23.11.2017. Revised ATN received and sent to CAGon 28.11.2017.

CAG has sought revised ATN on 29.11.2017 and hassought input/clarification/notification regarding BaseChemicals. Matter referred to Policy 3 on 29.11.2017.Reply awaited.

1

2

4.3.1(9 of 2010)

13.2.1 (24 of2010)PEC/MMTC/STC

Failure to devise internal controls in entering& executing contracts with business associ-ates pertaining to STCL Ltd.

Excess expenditure due to incorrect regulationof leave encashment.

The Audit Office has furnished the vetting remarkson the ATNs sent by the Ministry. The Audit Officevide their letter dated June 2012 has stated that inview of the sub-judice nature of the case. ATNs beretained till the finality is reached. DoC has directedSTCL vide letter dated 2.7.2012 and reminder dt.2.5.2013 to pursue with the concerned authorities forearly finalization of the cases. Vide letter dated27.6.2016, Audit has been informed about latest po-sition in the matter. As per recommendation of 6thMeeting of the Standing Audit Committee STCL hasbeen requested vide letter dated 2.9.2016 to pursuewith the concerned authorities for early finalization ofthe case. Updated current status send to audit on18.7.2017.

Revised ATN dt.6.5.2013 returned from audit with thevetting remarks “keeping in view the direction of DPEto take corrective action and the fact that no recovery

List of Outstanding C&AG(Commercial) paragraphs-FT(ST)



List of Outstanding C&AG(Commercial) paragraphs-FT(ST)

3

4

5

6

7

4.1(CA 3 of 2011-12)

4.1 (8 of 2012)-13(New Addition)

4.3 (21 of 2015)

4.1 (21 of 2015)

4.1 (9 of 2017

Iron Ore Business Segment.-STCL Ltd.

Irregularities in release of funds to a businessassociate.

Non-compliance to the directions of Government of India for export of rice toAfrican Countries.

Trading Activities of Agro Commodities of thethree PSUs

Imprudent Financing decisions resulted innon-realization of dues

has been affected by PEC, STC and MMTC so far,the para may be retained. MMTC has informed on27.5.2013 that recovery from existing employees hasbeen deferred due to invocation of violation of sectionunder ID Act 1947 lodged by MMTC EmployeesUnion against the management of MMTC before Re-gional Labour Commission in May 2013 which ispending for disposal.Fresh ATN received from STC,PEC and MMTC have been sent to IFD/DoC for vet-ting on 23.10.2017.

The Audit Office has furnished the vetting remarkson the ATNs sent by the Ministry. The Audit officevide their letter dated 28.5.2012 has stated that inview of the subjudice nature of the case, ATNs be re-tained till the finality is reached. DOC has directedSTCL vide letter dated 2.7.2012 and reminder dt.2.5.13 to pursue with the concerned authorities forearly finalization of the cases. Vide letter dated27.6.2016, Audit has been informed about latest po-sition in the matter. As per recommendation of 6thMeeting of the Standing Audit Committee STCL hasbeen requested vide letter dated 2.9.2016 to pursuewith the concerned authorities for early finalization ofthe case. Updated current status send to audit on18.7.2017.

STCL furnished revised ATN s which were forwardedto office of audit on 25.3.2013. The Audit has statedthat since the cases are sub-judice and the amountis yet to be recovered, it is proposed to retain the ATNuntil a finality is reached. DoC has directed STCL topursure with the concerned authorities for early final-ization of the cases. Vide letter dated 27.6.2016,Audit has been informed about latest position in thematter. As per recommendation of 6th Meeting of theStanding Audit Committee STCL has been requestedvide letter dated 2.9.2016 to pursue with the con-cerned authorities for early finalization of the case.Updated current status send to Audit on 18.7.2017.

On the basis of inputs furnished by MMTC, STC andPEC and Vig. Division, DoC ATRs on vetting remarkson audit have been sent to audit for vetting on19.7.2017. Audit vide letter dated 18.10.2017 has ad-vised dropping of para, further action is being takenfor sending requisite no. of copies to LSS.

On the basis of inputs furnished by MMTC, STC andPEC ATRs on vetting remarks of Audit received on10.11.2016 have sent to Audit for vetting on19.7.2017. Further remarks of Audit received vide let-ter dated 17.11.2017 and are under examination.

ATRs sent to audit for vetting on 19.7.2017. Auditvide letter dated 10.11.2017 has no further remakesof para, further action is being taken for sending req-uisite no. of copies to LLS.



List of Outstanding C&AG (Commercial Paragraphs) MMTC

1 4.2.1 (9 of 2010) Loss of Rs. 2.14 Crore Due to delay in dis-

posal of Zinc.

This Department had sent ATN to Audit and con-

veyed that the matter is sub-judice vide letter dated

11.12.12 vide letter dated 1.3.13, O/o CAG conveyed

that the para need to be pursued further. Accord-

ingly, MMTC has been requested to furnish further

updates in the matter.

Present status: - The matter was listed on 6.9.2017

for framing of issues. On 6.9.2017 the court pointed

out that two applications filed by the Defendant No.

2 are still pending for disposal and matter is now fixed

on 15.11.2017 for disposal of the said application.

Present status of case is being obtained from MMTC.

Now the court has adjourned the matter to 8.2.2018

and requested MMTC to show all orginal files so that

Defendant No. 2 can be connected with Shanky

Services.

List of Outstanding C&AG(Commercial) paragraphs ECGC

Summary of Report No.9 of 2017 – General Purpose Financial Reports on CPSEs

1 4.1(15 of 2016) Blocking of funds on account of failure to im-

plement IT Solution System.

Revised comments received from CAG sent to

ECGC. Reply is awaited.

This Report includes important audit findings noticed as a result

of test check of accounts and records of Central Government Com-

panies and Corporations conducted by the officers of the Comptroller

and Auditor General of India under Section 143 (6) of the Companies

Act, 2013 or the statues governing the particular Corporations.

The State Trading Corporation of India Limited (STC) signed

(4 April 2005) a tripartite agreement with M/s. Global Steel Works

International Inc. (GSWII) and GSHL (Umbrella Company of

GSWII) for supply of raw material to steel plant of GSWII in Philip-

pines. Non-adherence to trading guidelines of STC, fixing of expo-

sure limit at an exorbitantly higher side, ignoring the defunct status

of the plant, failure to exercise effective control through collateral

management agency over the material lying in the plant of GSWII,

failure to sell material on cash and carry basis (as approved by Board

of Directors), avoidable conciliation agreement with the party, etc.,

resulted in blockage of funds amounting to Rs.2,101.45 crore in-

cluding interest of Rs.1,129.15 crore and additional trade margin of

Rs.220.99 crore.

(Para 4.1)