Minister Of State (Independent Charge) In The Ministry Of Commerce & Industry (Cim), Nirmala Sitharaman Has Said That Government Has Taken Steps To Promote Exports Of Indian Goods.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (CIM), Nirmala Sitharaman has said that government has taken steps to promote exports of Indian goods.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha on Monday, Sitharaman said, "The government takes steps to improve the competitiveness of Indian goods through steps like improvement in infrastructure and ease of doing business."

"International Trade is governed on the basis of various factors including demand and supply, global economic situation and competitive pricing," she said.

In her reply, she said, following are some of the measures Government has taken recently to promote exports.

The Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) was introduced in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 on April 1, 2015.MEIS aims to incentivize export of merchandise which are produced/manufactured in India.

At the time of introduction of MEIS on April 1, 2015, the scheme covered 4914 tariff lines at 8 digit level. Countries of the globe were grouped into 3 market categories (Country Group A, Country Group B & Country Group C) for grant of incentives under MEIS. Slight changes in lines covered etc. were made on 14.07.2015 and 15.7.2015. Thereafter on 29.10.2015, 110 new Tariff Lines at 8 digit level were added under the scheme.

The rates/country coverage for 2228 lines at 8 digit level were enhanced. As on date, 5012 Tariff Lines at 8 digit level are eligible for rewards under MEIS. The annual resource allocation under MEIS was enhanced from Rs. 18000 crore to Rs. 21000 crore in October 2015.

The Government has introduced the Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre & Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit with effect from 1.4.2015. The scheme is available to all exports under 416 tariff lines [at ITC (HS) code of 4 digit] and exports made by Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across all ITC (HS) codes. The rate of interest equalisation is 3 percent per annum.

In addition the Government continues to provide the facility of access to duty free raw materials and capital goods for exports through schemes like Advance Authorisation, Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA), Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) and drawback/refund of duties.

While India's exports during April 2015 – February 2016 over the April 2014 – February 2015 declined by 16.7 percent, the decline for the products covered under MEIS for the same period was only 8.95 percent, added Sitharaman in her reply.

In an other reply she said, "The Government is implementing a number of measures and incentives for promoting the exports of agricultural products."

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce extends financial assistance to the eligible exporters under "Agriculture export promotion Plan Scheme" which comprises of various components namely; Market Development; Infrastructure Development; Quality Development; and Transport Assistance. Also, exports of grapes are eligible for an incentive of 5 percent under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS).

In addition to this Grape Net is an internet based electronic service offered by APEDA to the Stakeholders for facilitating testing and certification of Grapes for export from India to the European Union in compliance with the standards identified by NRC Pune, on the basis of consultation with exporters.

The cultivation of grapes is supported through Centrally Sponsored Scheme i.e. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in all the States by providing assistance in the form of planting material, drip irrigation, trellies and integrated nutrient and pest management, she added.

 

Source :smetimes