TNC Rajagopalan answers SME queries related to GST, export and import matters
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India's export target is achievable despite subdued global trade growth, citing strong domestic businesses, MSMEs and new FTAs
External Affairs Minister says India is working towards a limited resolution on grain and fertiliser shipments, while rejecting the idea of a global trading system without the US
RoDTEP and RoSCTL, which reimburse exporters for embedded non-creditable levies, have been extended by three months, though experts seek a longer five-year extension
Electronics exports rose to $26.66 billion in the first five months of FY27, with smartphones contributing nearly 60 per cent and PCB shipments surging sharply
Vessel traffic through the key oil-shipping waterway fell to seven on Wednesday from 12 a day earlier and remained well below the 10-day average of 14, preliminary ship tracking data showed
Aims to spend ₹3,710 cr in FY27, up from ₹2,250 cr in FY26
LG Electronics India already exports Made-in-India products to over 50 countries and has invested Rs 5,000 crore in its Sri City factory, which will also serve as an export hub
India's tanker exports surged more than six-fold to USD 1.36 billion in the June quarter from USD 221.1 million a year earlier, signalling the country's growing shipbuilding and maritime engineering capabilities, with the UAE emerging as the largest destination during the period, according to commerce ministry data. Tankers are large-scale transport ships engineered for the bulk movement of liquids and gases. They serve as a cornerstone of global energy networks and industrial supply chains, they safely distribute vital commodities, including crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and fresh water. The data showed that export volumes also expanded significantly from 10 vessels to 23 vessels, reflecting increasing international demand for Indian-built tankers and marine transportation assets. It added that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the dominant export destination, accounting for USD 900.8 million worth of tanker imports in April-June ...
India's exports to key free trade agreement (FTA) partner countries witnessed strong growth in the first quarter of 2026-27, with outbound shipments to Singapore and Sri Lanka more than doubling, according to the commerce ministry data. India has so far signed 17 FTAs with a number of countries and groups, including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, the European Union, Asean and the EFTA bloc. Out of this, 16 are operational. The data showed that exports to Singapore surged 101.2 per cent to USD 6.52 billion during April-June 2026, from USD 3.24 billion in the year-ago period, while shipments to Sri Lanka rose 123.8 per cent to USD 2.35 billion from USD 1.05 billion. The shipments to the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) region grew 61.6 per cent to USD 14.61 billion in the first quarter of this fiscal, from USD 9.04 billion in April-June 2025-26. Exports to the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) region rose 36.6 per cent to USD 8.40 ..
India's exports increased by 19.63 per cent to USD 44.24 billion in July, even as the trade deficit widened to USD 31.98 billion. Imports rose by about 17.52 per cent to USD 76.22 billion in July. During April-July this fiscal, exports jumped 17.04 per cent to USD 173.78 billion, and imports climbed 19.27 per cent to USD 292.38 billion. India's exports to West Asian countries rose 8.62 per cent to USD 5.7 billion in July, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said in a press briefing on trade data. Agarwal attributed the increase in the country's outbound shipments to higher exports of petroleum products, electronics, engineering and marine goods.
Aims to improve inter-departmental coordination and ensure regular monitoring of projects
Vizhinjam International Seaport has secured Customs approval to commence EXIM operations, its operator, VISL, said on Saturday. Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd said the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has granted final approval for the port to officially commence EXIM cargo operations from August 18. "While Vizhinjam International Seaport, Thiruvananthapuram, has so far functioned exclusively as an international transshipment hub, export-import cargo operations shall commence with effect from August 18, 2026. "Customs regulation of EXIM cargo will be carried out in coordination with various government and facilitating agencies, such as VISL, AVPPL, the Mercantile Marine Department, the Port Health Organisation, the Bureau of Immigration, the Coastal Police, authorised banks and port security agencies," the CBIC order dated July 24 said. As there is currently no designated Container Freight Station attached to the port, the CBIC has imposed several conditions governi
The government on Thursday permitted FDI in an inventory-based e-commerce model "exclusively" for export purposes, a move which will help increase India's outbound shipments without impacting the businesses of small retailers. These firms will have to export goods that are manufactured or produced in India. However, FDI in the inventory-based e-commerce model retailing is not permitted. "In order to facilitate greater exports through easier and increased access of global markets by Indian sellers, the extant FDI Policy has been reviewed and it is decided that the restrictions on inventory-based model of e-commerce shall not apply in case of exports of domestically manufactured and/or produced goods/products," the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said in a press note. DPIIT, an arm of the commerce and industry ministry, deals with foreign direct investment (FDI) related issues. It releases policy changes through press notes (PNs). As per the current F
Official data show Brazil remains biggest buyer as imports continue to dominate the sector
India is aiming to increase its share of global merchandise exports from about 1.8 per cent in 2024 to around 10 per cent by 2047, according to a World Trade Organisation (WTO) report. To promote exports, India maintained various duty exemption, remission, and rebate schemes. Export promotion is also emphasised in the Viksit Bharat vision, intended to help India sustain high long-term growth and boost competitiveness. "Under this vision, India aims to increase its share of global merchandise exports from about 1.8 per cent in 2024 to around 10 per cent by 2047," it said. The eighth review of the trade policies and practices of India takes place on July 21. It will also happen on July 23 in Geneva. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal is there for the meetings. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of India. It also said that India's perspective on WTO reform is that reforms must be development-centred, consensus-based, and ...
Improved market access and zero tariffs under the India-UK trade agreement are expected to lift Indian pharmaceutical exports to over $980 million in FY27
The trade deficit widened sharply to $30.43 billion in June from $28.21 billion a month ago
India's exports to the West Asian region have "evened out" in June, as it has recorded a 7.29 per cent year-on-year growth to USD 5 billion, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday. The shipments to the region had declined in March due to the US-Iran conflict, but improved in April and further in May. "Our exports to the Middle East have evened out," he told reporters here. The shipments in June 2025 were USD 4.67 billion. The country's exports to the UAE rose 3.57 per cent to USD 2.7 billion, but shipments to Saudi Arabia declined by 4.42 per cent to USD 768.56 million. On the other hand, imports from the UAE and Oman have registered a positive growth. But it dipped by 29.75 per cent from Saudi Arabia. Indian exporters are using three ports (Duqm, Sohar and Salalah) in Oman to push exports to the region. The US-Iran conflict has severely impacted the movement of ships carrying cargoes in international waters, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. India normally ex
Speaking at the Board of Trade meeting at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi, Goyal said the target would require a sharp increase in both goods and services shipments