US eases export rules on aerospace parts

The US today eased rules on the export of select items in the multi-billion dollar aerospace industry in a bid to boost the business of its defence sector by paving the way for greater access to countries like India.
The State Department said it was moving a series of "less sensitive items" from the US Munitions List, which regulates exports, to a separate list maintained by the Commerce Department and seen by industry as less strenuous.
"These reforms will allow the US government to better focus on controlling the export of sensitive technologies remaining on the US Munitions List while streamlining exports of defense-related items to US allies and partners around the world," a State Department statement said.

The items include parts and components related to aircraft and gas turbine engines, areas that the State Department said accounted for more than USD 20 billion in annual exports.
"These are the first of 19 categories of the US Munitions List categories that will be revised under Export Control Reform," the statement said.
It added that these reforms will allow the Government to better focus on controlling the export of sensitive technologies remaining on the US Munitions List while streamlining exports of defense-related items to US Allies and partners around the world, which will contribute "to the health and competitiveness of the US defence industrial base, an important national security imperative".

"Over the longer term, the Administration remains committed to fundamental reform of the US export control system, including the consolidation of export licensing functions under a single control agency and the creation of a single export control list," it said.
A number of countries, including India, and American businesses have long complained about excessive restrictions by US.
The changes are the first to be finalised since President Barack Obama in 2009 announced an initiative to reform export controls.