WTO members ask Ind to remove export sops to textiles, apparel

WTO member countries including the US, Turkey and Japan, have asked India to phase out export subsidies on textiles and the apparel sectors, Parliament was informed today.
As per the WTO data for 2006 and 2007, India has crossed the threshold limit (exports reaching 3.25 per cent threshold of the world trade) consecutively for two years in these sectors, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
"In the WTO subsidies committee meetings, the WTO member countries, in particular the US supported by European Union, Turkey, Japan and others have urged phasing out of export subsidies by India for the textiles and the apparel sectors," she said.

Sitharaman added the government has not taken any decision on the phasing out of subsidies as the new Foreign Trade Policy is "still under consideration".
Replying to a separate question on buffalo meat exports, she said that the exports have increased to 13.71 per cent in quantity terms during April-October 2014.
In value terms, it has increased by 14.35 per cent during the period.

"The increase in the exports of buffalo meat during April to October 2013-14 was on account of increase of business in Vietnam, Egypt, Malaysia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia," the minister added.
She said that Indian bovine meat are not allowed into the Chinese market on ground of prevalence of 'food and mouth diseases' in India.

"On persistent efforts from India, China and India entered into an MoU for export of buffalo meat directly to China in May 2013," she added.