Food exports to Russia: MEA asks Ind firms to focus on quality

The External Affairs Ministry today cautioned Indian exporters not to compromise on prescribed norms to avoid rejection of their food and health products to Russia in the wake of sanctions imposed on it by USA and European Union.
"Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures are not waived even when sanctions are imposed on any of the economies of the world.
"Therefore, Indian exporters are well advised to focus on quality rather than looking for excuses to take advantage of sanctions against Russia in its exports so that they are not denied market access for their health and food products in a market such as Russia," said Shambhu S Kumaran, Joint Secretary (ERS), MEA, according to a PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry statement.

He was speaking at a conference, 'Druzhba-Dosti' - on India's trade opportunities with Russia.
Kumaran reminded the exporters that a few of the export consignments to Russia of food and health products were outright rejected by authorities there in the recent past after they noticed dilution of SPS standards.
He noted that Interaction, Information and Intermediation are the three key instruments to enhance bilateral economic relations between India and Russia.