Pre-export test for fruit products no longer a must

The Commerce Ministry today said it has done away with the requirement of pre-export test for fruits, a move aimed at cutting transaction cost and promoting ease of doing business.
Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a tweet, said "pre-export test for fruit products no longer mandatory".
She has given her approval for "doing away with such tests to promote ease of doing business".
The minister has also approved slashing of EIC (export inspection council) fees by 25 per cent for export of fruit products.
The move assumes significance as export of fruits and vegetables dipped by 0.68 per cent to USD 202 million in April.

Exports body FIEO welcomed the move, saying the step will help in reducing transaction costs for fruit exporters.
Overall export, too, declined for the 17th straight month in April. It contracted by 6.74 per cent to USD 20.5 billion due to a sharp fall in shipments of petroleum and engineering products amid tepid global demand.