Page 2 - Indian Export

PM to meet exporters, discuss ways to boost India's trade competitiveness

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet exporters or certain labour-intensive sectors on Monday to discuss measures to enhance the country's competitiveness in the global trade, according to exporters. Representatives from sectors including apparel, leather, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, engineering, and seafood will participate in the meeting, they said. Heads of export promotion councils of these sectors would attend the meeting. The meeting assumes significance as labour intensive sectors are facing challenges due to a steep 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US on Indian goods, barring few sectors. Tariffs or import duties play a key role in competitiveness of goods and services. India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement. India's share in the global trade is about 2 per cent (1.6 per cent in global goods exports and 3.3 per cent in services). India's exports grew 6.74 per cent to USD 36.38 billion in September, while imports jumped 16.6 per cent, widening

India's exports to US decline, non-US markets show strength: Crisil

India's exports to the United States have contracted, while shipments to non-US destinations have remained robust, surpassing previous growth figures, rating agency Crisil said in its report for October. According to the report, merchandise exports to the US had shown a degrowth by 11.9 per cent to USD 5.5 billion in September, after recording a 7 per cent growth in August 2025. The agency noted that without the frontloading of shipments ahead of the tariff hike, the fall would have been sharper. In contrast, exports to non-US markets expanded by 10.9 per cent in September, accelerating from 6.6 per cent growth in August 2025, it said. The decline in US-bound exports followed the Trump administration's decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, effective from August 27. Crisil cautioned that India's merchandise exports are facing headwinds from the US tariff hikes and a broader slowdown in global growth. The World Trade Organisation has projected that global merchand

India's exports up 6.74% in September, trade deficit stood at $32.1 bn

India's exports grew by 6.74 per cent to USD 36.38 billion in September despite global headwinds. Imports jumped 16.6 per cent to USD 68.53 billion. The country's trade deficit stood at USD 32.1 billion during the month. Imports surged due to the increase in imports of gold, silver, fertiliser and electronics. In April-September this fiscal, exports increased by 3.02 per cent to USD 220.12 billion. Imports rose 4.53 per cent to USD 375.11 billion, the commerce ministry data showed.

Exports making Indian factories up to 25% more eco-friendly: IIM study

Exports not only boost business growth but also make Indian factories greener, a study by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow, has found after analysing two decades of firm-level data. Described as the first-of-its-kind, the study examined whether export orientation encourages Indian manufacturing companies to adopt greener practices. Led by Chandan Sharma, professor of Economics and Business Environment at IIM-Lucknow, it has been published in the prestigious Energy Economics (Elsevier) journal. While trade is often criticised for raising environmental pressures in developing countries, there is limited causal evidence on whether exporting firms adopt greener practices, especially in terms of energy use. By applying the Propensity Score MatchingDifference-in-Differences (PSM-DID) methodology, the researchers addressed this gap and explored several important insights. "Our research shows that exports don't just boost growth, they also make Indian factories greener. ..

EY raises India's GDP forecast to 6.7%; recommends diversifying markets

The 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the June quarter outperformed the Reserve Bank of India's expectation of 6.5 per cent growth during the August monetary policy meeting

India's exports projected to rise 6% in 2025, says Piyush Goyal

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday expressed confidence that India's exports would grow by around 6 per cent this year compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Underscoring the country's strong performance in global trade despite challenges, the minister said discussions on free trade agreements (FTAs) were advancing with several countries. "India's exports would grow by around 6 per cent this year compared to the corresponding period last year. I believe we will end the year on a positive note," Goyal told reporters here, adding that discussions on free trade agreements (FTAs) were advancing with several countries. "India's growing strength and the fact that we will be moving in the Amritkal from a USD 4 trillion economy to a USD 30 trillion-plus economy clearly show that India is the place to do business. The world would like to work closer with India," he added. The minister emphasised that India's domestic momentum and external engagements were reinforcing e

Steel secy warns EU carbon border rules could hit India's exports to Europe

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will impact Indian exports to the region, and the industry has to take measures to address this "concern", Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik said on Wednesday. The CBAM is designed to impose a carbon price on imports from countries with lower environmental regulations, initially covering iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. This is expected to be fully in place in 2026. The tariff is pegged to the carbon price in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS), which in 2026 is assumed at Rs 5,200 per tonne of CO2 equivalent, with a five per cent annual rise as free allowances in the EU are phased out. The limits of carbon emission, which are proposed in the CBAM, will definitely affect the exports, the senior ministry official said in a session at 'FT Live Energy Transition Summit India' in the national capital. He said the Indian steel industry is still predominantly using the blast furnace (BF-BOF) .

Statsguru: Jobs in India to face the heat as 50% US tariffs hit exports

With 50% US tariffs hitting labour-intensive exports like textiles, leather, and gems, millions of Indian jobs and industrial credit flows face mounting risks

India cautions against misuse of export measures at SCO ministers meet

India has cautioned against weaponising export-related measures or misusing them to create artificial scarcity, distort markets, or disrupt supply chains at an SCO meeting, an official statement said on Sunday. At the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) Trade Ministers' Meeting in Vladivostok on September 6, India said that calibrated and transparent use of these steps is essential to maintain trust in international commerce. India has also called for addressing persistent trade deficits by ensuring greater market access and simplifying processes for trade facilitation. These remarks are important as India's auto and electronics sector faced issues due to export restrictions on rare earth magnets and fertiliser by China. China is a member of the organisation. India also warned that trade-linked climate measures should not result in arbitrary or unjustified discrimination. "...persistent trade imbalances must be addressed through better market access, cooperation on standards,

Indian exporters lobby RBI for weaker rupee to offset Trump tariffs

Exporters are seeking a rupee exchange rate of around 103 per dollar for US earnings, Pankaj Chadha, chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council of India, said

Growth spurt before Donald Trump tariff squeeze: July orders jump 29%

There are no duties on semiconductors, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, among others, according to an August 27 Asia Insights note from Nomura

Govt working overtime to cushion export sectors against US tariffs: CEA

Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) Anantha Nageswaran on Saturday said the central government, along with various stakeholders, are actively working overtime to cushion export sectors in view of the recent imposition of an additional 25 per cent tariff by the United States. The US has imposed a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering America from August 27. Nageswaran highlighted that crises, whether minor or major, often act as catalysts, providing focus and purpose for all segments of societyincluding the government, private sector, and householdsto undertake necessary actions that might otherwise have been delayed. Since the tariffs took effect, "Conversations have been happening in the last three to four days", involving various exporting and representative bodies, private sector export promotion agencies, and the ministry, he said. Nageswaran, speaking virtually at ICC organised event, said that the ministries and the Ministry of Finance are "working overtime" to formulate

Govt should allocate ₹2,500 cr for exporters to join MAI exhibitions: GTRI

Expressing concern over decline in export promotion funding, economic think tank GTRI said on Saturday said the government should consider allocating Rs 2,500 crore for exporters to participate in global exhibitions under the Market Access Initiative (MAI), which has not received any funds this fiscal. It said that exporters have missed critical opportunities between April and August to participate in overseas fairs. "With a modest budget of only Rs 250 crore in past years, the scheme was already too small for a USD 440 plus billion export economy. It must be revived with a scaled-up budget of Rs 2,500 crore annually, with funds released at least a year in advance to allow Indian firms to secure high-visibility slots at global fairs," Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) Founder Ajay Srivastava said. He also called for resumption of Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES), immediate roll out of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), and E-commerce Export Hubs to boost exports amid 50 pe

Govt to soon bring various measures to boost exports: Piyush Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the government will soon introduce various measures to expand the domestic outreach and global foray to boost country's exports. "I can assure each one of you that in the days ahead, the government will be coming out with a variety of measures to support every sector, both to expand the domestic outreach and look for complementarities in other markets around the world to expand our global foray so that this year, our exports will exceed last year's exports. "This year will define our self-confidence," he said here at an industry event. The government is working on support measures for exporters as the 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US on Indian goods are expected to hurt certain labour-intensive sectors, including shrimp, leather, and footwear, as well as textiles. In 2024-25, India's goods and services exports touched an all-time high of USD 825 billion.

Centre planning support measures for exporters amid tariff shock: Official

The government is likely to include steps such as the rollout of an export promotion mission worth Rs 25,000 crore over six years, and a moratorium on export loans

India, US will 'come together' despite 50% tariffs: Treasury Secretary

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, however, criticised India's continuous imports of Russian oil, saying that they have been profiteering from it

EAC-PM chief warns US tariffs may weigh on jobs more than GDP growth

EAC-PM S Mahendra Dev said that exporters should focus on diversification of markets, while also pushing domestic consumption

Commerce ministry holds talks with exporters to counter steep US tariffs

The Commerce Ministry will hold a series of meetings this week with exporters from various sectors, including chemicals, gems and jewellery, to discuss ways to boost exports to new markets to shield industries from the steep 50 per cent US tariffs on Indian goods, an official said on Wednesday. The official also said work is progressing fast on the formulation of the Export Promotion Mission, announced in the Budget for 2025-26. "In the next 2-3 days, the ministry will meet stakeholders on the diversification of exports," the official added. The steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the United States, which came into effect from August 27, would impact exports worth more than USD 48 billion. The sectors which would bear the brunt of the high import duties imposed by the Trump administration include textiles/ clothing, gems and jewellery, shrimp, leather and footwear, animal products, chemicals, and electrical and mechanical machinery. Sectors such as pharma, energy ...

US tariff shock to hit Bengal's leather, marine, and engineering exports

The additional 25 per cent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on India is set to deliver a major blow to West Bengal's export-driven economy, with the state's labour-intensive leather, engineering and marine sectors expecting losses ahead of the festive season, stakeholders said. The increased levies on Indian products for the country's purchases of Russian oil came into effect on Wednesday, bringing the total amount of tariff imposed on New Delhi to 50 per cent. Exporters said shipments and even production are "currently on hold", amid geopolitical headwinds, intensified by the US tariffs. According to trade estimates, the move will impact at least Rs 45,000 crore worth of Indian exports, with Bengal among the "hardest-hit" states. Labour-intensive industries are under severe pressure. In marine exports, the maximum of Bengal's annual shipments may collapse," Yogesh Gupta, regional chairman (east) of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and a leading marin

US slaps steep tariffs on Indian goods, exports set to fall from Wednesday

The new duties will apply from 12:01 am EDT on Wednesday (9:31 am IST), it showed. Exceptions are shipments in transit, humanitarian aid, and items under reciprocal trade programmes