Page 6 - Commerce Ministry

India, Cambodia discuss investment treaty, UPI collab: Commerce ministry

India and South East Asian nation Cambodia are negotiating collaboration in UPI-based digital payment to promote trade and tourism, the commerce ministry said on Thursday. Both sides also deliberated upon diversification of the trade basket by identifying new products, bilateral investment treaty, recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia and collaboration in the pharma sector. These issues among others were discussed during the second meeting of the India-Cambodia Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) here on Wednesday. Pharmacopoeia is a set of standards and quality specifications for ingredients, preparation and dosage forms of medicines manufactured, sold, consumed and exported in a country. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which sets standards for all drugs that are manufactured, sold and consumed in India. "The meeting discussed the progress of the ongoing efforts for collaboration in .

DGFT implements automated system for adhoc input-output norms fixation

The commerce ministry's arm DGFT on Thursday said it has implemented an automated system for adhoc input-output norms fixation for goods, with a view to promote ease of doing business for exporters. Exporters are allowed to import duty-free raw material or inputs for manufacturing goods for exports purposes only under an advance authorisation scheme. For this scheme, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has fixed standard input-output norms for almost all categories of products. Depending on these norms, a license is issued for duty-free imports. For example, if 10 Kg steel is required to make a 100 meter long pipe, license will be given under the scheme for duty-free import of 12 kg of steel as there would be some wastages also in the manufacturing process. DGFT provides a sector-wise list of Standard Input-Output Norms (SION), under which exporters may choose to apply for the license. Alternatively, exporters may apply for their own adhoc norms in cases where the SION

DGFT proposes review in export obligation period for certain sectors

The commerce ministry's arm DGFT on Tuesday proposed to amend the export obligation period for certain sectors such as spices, pharmaceuticals and tea, with a view to facilitate outbound shipments. The government has sought comments of all the concerned stakeholders on the proposed amendments within 15 days. The government allows duty free import of inputs used for manufacturing goods only for exports purposes under an advanced authorisation scheme, subject to export obligation period. Under this period, exporters have to ship the goods within a stipulated time period, failing which attracts penalties. To amend the export obligation period, the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) has proposed to amend an appendix of foreign trade policy's handbook of procedures 2023. According to the DGFT, there have been a lot of representations from export promotion councils (EPC) and exporters regarding review of the appendix. "This has been requested to facilitate exports and operate

Govt steps help boost toy making, exports; more work needed: DPIIT secy

Government measures such as mandatory quality control orders and increasing customs duty have helped boost exports of toys from India, but there is a need to do much more for the sector, a top official said on Wednesday. Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Rajesh Kumar Singh also indicated that they are diligently pursuing the proposal of extending fiscal incentives under the production-linked incentive scheme for the sector. He said that the industry is wondering about one proposed major policy intervention and "let me assure you that we are still pursuing that". In the interim Budget in February, the Commerce and Industry Ministry has recommended an outlay of Rs 3,489 crore for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for toys to boost domestic manufacturing of the sector. As the scheme is yet to be cleared by the Union Cabinet, the interim Budget has made a token provision of Rs 1 lakh towards the scheme for 2024-25. The scheme a

Need to build on success of PLI schemes, recent FTAs: Piyush Goyal

Goyal was convening a review meeting with senior officers from the commerce and industry department

Piyush Goyal takes charge amid export decline and FDI contraction

Over the last decade, Goyal, 59, handled key and diverse portfolios, including power, renewable energy, coal, mines and railways during the first term of National Democratic Alliance (NDA)

Commerce Ministry to seek more funds for startups in upcoming Budget

The commerce and industry ministry may seek more funds for startups in the forthcoming Budget, to be announced by the new government, to promote innovation in the country, an official has said. The new government may announce the Budget for 2024-25 in July. The seed fund scheme, announced in April 2021 with a corpus of Rs 945 crore, will end in 2025, and the ministry may consider proposing a new scheme on similar lines. The seed fund scheme was aimed at providing financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market-entry, and commercialisation. The fund was divided into four years for providing seed funding to eligible startups through incubators across India. Easy availability of capital is essential for entrepreneurs at the early stages of growth of an enterprise, and the capital required at this stage often presents a make-or-break situation for startups with good business ideas, another official said. There are over 1.17 lakh ..

India unveils $500 bn investment opportunities in clean energy by 2030

India offers huge investment opportunities worth over USD 500 billion, particularly in clean energy value chain including renewables, green hydrogen and EV, by 2030, the commerce ministry said on Thursday. This was stated by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, who is in Singapore for the two-day meet of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Clean Economy Investor Forum. The meeting, which started on Wednesday, brought together the region's top investors, clean economy companies, and start-ups to mobilise investments into sustainable infrastructure, climate technology, and renewable energy projects. The 14-member IPEF bloc was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23, 2022, in Tokyo. Together, they account for 40 per cent of the world's economic output and 28 per cent of trade. The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean economy and fair economy. India has joined all the

IPEF's clean economy investor forum meet in Singapore to begin on Jun 5

Senior officials from the commerce ministry will participate in the two-day clean economy investor forum meet in Singapore, organised by Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), an official said. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, Additional Secretary in the ministry Rajesh Agrawal, and other senior officers have reached Singapore for the meet, which will start on June 5. "Indian projects would be pitched in the forum. Over 150 investors would participate," the official said. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) was launched in May 2022 and it currently includes 14 partners -- Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam. It provides a platform for countries in the region to collaborate on advancing resilient, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and aims to contribute to cooperation, stability and prosperity in the region. Th

Metallurgical coke curbs: Commerce dept, SteelMin tussle over import quota

The steel ministry's request comes against the backdrop of the final findings of the DGTR investigation released last week

MCA working on developing SOPs for FTA strategy, trade negotiation

The commerce ministry held deliberations with experts, former officers and senior officials from different departments on framing a standard operating procedure for free trade pacts and other related issues under these agreements, an official release said on Tuesday. The commerce ministry in the release stated that the 'Chintan Shivir' was organised on May 16-17 at Neemrana, Rajasthan. "The Shivir facilitated discussions on various issues related to negotiations of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) by India, its position and strategy that should be adopted for such negotiations," the ministry said. The participants also deliberated on standard operating procedures (SoP) for FTA negotiations, capacity building and resource management for trade negotiations as well as certain contemporary issues under modern FTAs such as labour, environment, and gender. It said that Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal spearheaded the deliberations which sought to chart a strategic course for India's future

ED raids ex-DPIIT Secy Ramesh Abhishek's premises in money laundering probe

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided the premises of retired IAS officer and former Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) secretary Ramesh Abhishek as part of a disproportionate assets linked money laundering probe against him, official sources said. The ED case stems from a recent CBI FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the 1982-batch officer. He was raided by the CBI in February. Abhishek retired in 2019 from the DPIIT (erstwhile Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion). The ED is searching the premises of Abhishek as part of a money laundering investigation, the sources said. The CBI had alleged in its FIR that Abhishek enriched himself "illicitly" after retirement by receiving "huge amounts" as consultation fee from private companies whose matters he had dealt while in service. The CBI and ED have also booked his daughter Vanessa. The retired officer also held the post of chairman, Forward Markets ...

Commerce ministry holds discussions on formulating SOPs to negotiate FTAs

The commerce ministry has held detailed discussions with senior officials of different departments and trade experts on formulating standard operating procedures (SOP) for negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs), an official said. To discuss the various aspects of these agreements, the commerce ministry has organised a two-day 'Chintan Shivir' on FTA strategy and SOPs for trade negotiations on May 16-17. Suggestions that came up during the discussions included comprehensive consultations with public and private sector players and sharing details of the proposed FTAs with the line ministries, the official said. "Consultations should be held at every stage of FTA negotiations. Representatives of certain ministries suggested the commerce ministry to share FTA details with them in a timely manner so that they can prepare their views on those agreements," the official added. The exercise assumes significance as India is engaging with several trade partners to negotiate free trade ...

US traders seek import tariff on Indian tile suppliers, blame subsidies

A coalition of US ceramic tile suppliers has urged the federal government to impose tariffs on ceramic tile imports from India as it is impacting domestic industry due to subsidised imports by the Indian government. The Department of Commerce has instituted an investigation into this matter. Import of ceramics and tiles from India has increased significantly over the past few years, an association of the US ceramic and tiles industry has claimed alleging that these are impacting their domestic industry as the imports are subsidised by the Indian government. In a petition filed before the US International Trade Commission of the Department of Commerce, the Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile (TCNA), which claims to represent more than 90 per cent of US tile production, seeks the imposition of tariffs estimated between 408 per cent to 828 per cent, alleging that there is ongoing massive and widespread dumping from India. American tile manufacturers have always welcomed fair ...

Comm min working on infra to achieve $1 tn exports by 2030: Official

The commerce ministry has initiated an exercise to identify required infrastructure needs, potential sectors, and clusters which would help the country achieve the USD 1 trillion merchandise exports target by 2030, a senior government official said on Thursday. Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Anant Swarup said that the Asian Development Bank has been requested to conduct a study in this regard. If the country is targeting USD 1 trillion of exports by 2030, there is a likelihood of about USD 1.5 trillion of imports, so "do we have enough capacity" to cater to USD 2.5 trillion of EXIM (export and import) trade, he said. So that is the target on which the department is working, he said. "The ADB is doing a study for us because what is more important is from where the USD 1 trillion of exports is going to come from; which are those sectors and clusters from where this USD 1 trillion of exports is going to come from. That is very critical for us. "Because unless we k

HUL rebrands Horlicks as 'functional nutritional drink', removes 'health'

Rebranding offers clearer and more transparent representation of the product category, says company

Govt orders ethylene oxide testing for spice export to Hong Kong, Singapore

Currently, spice exports to Singapore and Hong Kong require mandatory testing for the carcinogen Aflatoxin and the dye Sudan I-IV

Wholesale price inflation rises to three-month high of 0.53% in March

The overall FY24 wholesale headline inflation stood at -0.7 per cent as compared to 9.6 per cent in FY23

India's exports shrink 3% in FY24 but tide is turning, says govt

India's trade deficit at 11-month low in March

Remove Bournvita from 'health drinks' section: Govt to e-commerce websites

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has asked all e-commerce companies to remove all drinks and beverages, including Bournvita, from "healthy drinks" section