Page 31 - Trade

US urges transparency in India's IT import monitoring beyond 2024

USTR Katherine Tai emphasizes open communication with India on import policies

Red Sea crisis pumps up global container prices, ocean freight rates

At $3,072, prices per 40-foot container highest in 15 months

Need to rationalise customs duties in sectors with healthy growth: Official

There is a need to rationalise customs duties particularly in those sectors which are growing at a healthy pace for the last several decades, an official said on Thursday. The official, however, said that providing a protection of high duty is required for the infant domestic industry. "But if the industry is 40-50 years old and has developed, has good competition, good investments and if they are globally known, then they should also be competing with the global firms," the official argued. Normally, customs duties or tariffs are used as a policy tool to ensure a higher level of protection for certain sectors to boost domestic manufacturing. These remarks assume significance as there is demand from countries which are negotiating free-trade agreements with India to cut down import duties in sectors such as auto and alcoholic beverages. Overall duties in certain segments are up to 150 per cent like alcoholic beverages. "There is a need for balancing in the duty structure. One cou

A most striking event of 2023

The saga unfolding in the seas off the coast of Yemen reveals a new facet of asymmetric warfare in today's world

India negotiating with UK to avoid double contribution to social security

India is working on a treaty with the UK under the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to avoid double contribution to social security funds by Indian professionals working for limited time period in Britain, an official said on Thursday. Indian professionals working for a limited period in Britain contribute to their social security funds but not able to get its benefit as they return once the projects are complete. "We are negotiating the double contribution treaty with the UK under the FTA. There should not be any double contribution towards social security schemes," the official said. It is a long-standing demand of Indian businesses operating in Britain to cut down on the additional cost burden associated with bringing in skilled Indian professionals on a short-term basis. The compulsory National Insurance (NI) contributions of skilled Indian professionals in the UK on temporary visas remains an additional cost burden of about GBP 500 per employee a year, over and above all .

Best of BS Opinion: Investing for growth, export potential & more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Export potential

The agricultural sector needs policy intervention

Reduction of logistics cost is a big macro turnaround for India

The country will create jobs and encourage consumption and demand by reducing logistic cost

India-Maldives row: Traders to refrain from dealing with island, asks CAIT

Amid the India-Maldives diplomatic row, traders' body CAIT on Monday called upon domestic traders and exporters to refrain from conducting business dealings with the island nation. CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal observed that the offensive comments targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been deemed unacceptable by the business community, and this call to boycott aims to express solidarity and register disapproval against such disrespectful behaviour. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) stated it has "urged traders and exporters to refrain from conducting business dealings with the Maldives". Khandelwal said the appeal "encourages traders to stand united in sending a strong message against such behaviour by temporarily abstaining from trade engagements with the Maldives". Khandelwal stressed upon the need for mutual respect in diplomatic discourse and condemned any form of disrespect towards the leaders of friendly nations. Meanwhile, the Maldivian envoy t

Optimistic about $2 trillion export target by 2030, says Piyush Goyal

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday expressed optimism that the country will meet its ambitious USD 2 trillion export target by 2030, notwithstanding geopolitical headwinds and inflationary concerns. Speaking at the inauguration of the Patsan Bhavan, which houses the Jute Commissioner's office and headquarters of Jute Corporation of India and National Jute Board, in New Town, Kolkata, Goyal acknowledged the challenging global situation. He cited the Ukraine war, the Israel conflict and issues related to the Red Sea as factors impacting trade. "To address low food grain production and curb domestic inflation, we have implemented restrictions. However, despite all these challenges, India's exports will continue to grow, aiming at reaching USD 2 trillion by 2030 from the current USD 770-775 billion," Goyal said. He highlighted the potential of the jute industry, stating that with "contribution from the jute sector and concerted efforts from the Centre and sta

Houthis launch sea drone to attack ships hrs after US issues final warning

An armed unmanned surface vessel launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen got within a couple of miles of US Navy and commercial vessels before detonating on Thursday, just hours after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Iran-backed militia group to cease the attacks or face potential military action. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Navy operations in the Middle East, said it was the first time the Houthis had used an unmanned surface vessel, or USV, since their harassment of commercial ships in the Red Sea began after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. They have, however, used them in years past. Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the USV's are a key part of the Houthi maritime arsenal and were used during previous battles against the Saudi coalition forces that intervened in Yemen's war. They have regularly been used as suicide drone boats that explode upon ...

Govt to come up with 65 QCOs to curb imports of sub-standard goods

The government will issue 65 quality control orders (QCOs) covering over 500 products to contain imports of sub-standard goods and boost domestic manufacturing, a senior government official said on Thursday. Joint Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Sanjiv said these orders are promoting safe products to consumers. Under these orders, items cannot be produced, sold, traded, imported and stocked unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark. "We are coming up with almost 65 QCOs, covering more than 500 products. QCO is benefitting consumers and reducing sub-standard imports," he told reporters here. These orders are already issued for goods like smart meters, nuts, bolts and fasteners. Violation of the law can attract a penalty of up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of at least Rs 2 lakh for the first offence, which increases to Rs 5 lakh minimum for the second and subsequent offences. These orders are issued by the .

Toys to have major share in Walmart's $10 bn Indian exports target: DPIIT

US-based retail giant Walmart is targeting to increase its exports from India to USD 10 billion annually and domestic toys will account for a significant portion of the total exports, a senior government official said on Thursday. Joint Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Sanjiv said that the American company has recently held a workshop with 100 Indian toy makers so that they can set up the supply chain for toy exports from India. "Walmart has given a target of USD 10 billion exports from India and in that they are going to have toy exports as a significant portion," he told reporters here. The company has earlier informed toy makers about their requirements and expected quality standards. In December 2020, Walmart committed to triple its exports of goods from India to USD 10 billion each year by 2027, providing a significant boost to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) here. Global retailers such as IKEA are already sour

India will have to eventually move to lower customs duty regime: DPIIT

India will have to eventually move to a lower customs duty regime and cannot continue to protect domestic manufacturers by citing infant industry argument, a senior government official said on Thursday. Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Rajesh Kumar Singh said that tariffs are not really considered a revenue source. Normally, customs duties or tariffs are used as a policy tool to ensure a higher level of protection for certain sectors to boost domestic manufacturing. "The DPIIT's view is that there are possibilities of using tariffs in a creative manner to protect some of our industries, particularly when they are subject to predatory pricing or dumping from certain geographies," he told reporters here. While there is a need to protect sectors which are weak, there is no need to continue with the high tariff walls for segments that are doing well, he added. "But I think, over time, we will have to move to a lower tariff regime overall

Keen to expand ECGC cover, form committee to boost jewellery export: Goyal

Union minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said the government is keen to expand ECGC cover and asked gems and jewellery industry leaders to form a committee to help exporters in the sector. "We have started giving ECGC (formerly Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India) cover for the whole turnover...we are keen to expand, and I ask the captains of the industry to see how we can have an industry-ECGC-government partnership, which will ensure the baggage of the past can be erased. "If the industry and the government can come together and work together, I am sure we can look at individual policies also for individual exports," Goyal said while addressing the inaugural session of the 4-day IIJS (India International Jewellery Show) Signature 2024 Gem and Jewellery Trade Show. The commerce and industry minister suggested forming a committee consisting of ECGC, the government and GJEPC representatives to develop a certain mechanism that will help the industry to cross the hump and start

India exports 8,606 tonnes of raw cane sugar to US under TRQ scheme

Shipments under the TRQ enjoy relatively lesser customs duties. After the quota is reached, a higher tariff applies to additional imports

Russian oil imports drop on pricing, not due to payment woes: Hardeep Puri

"There is no payment problem ... It is a pure function of the price at which our refineries will buy," Puri told a press conference

Adani Ports reports 42% growth in cargo handling in December 2023

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) on Tuesday said its cargo volumes rose 42 per cent in December 2023 to 35.65 MMT (million metric tonne). According to a APSEZ statement, 10 ports in the APSEZ portfolio delivered their highest-ever cargo volumes, recording new operating milestones. The billionaire Gautam Adani's firm handled 311 MMT of cargo during the nine months of FY24, which is 23 per cent higher year-on-year. Mundra Port alone managed around 5.5 MTEUs in initial nine months, it added. For the quarter ended December, APSEZ handled around 109 MMT of overall cargo, the statement said. APSEZ CEO and whole-time director Karan Adani said, "APSEZ crossed the 300 MMT cargo mark in just 266 days versus its previous best of 329 days in the previous financial year". Adani said the company is now targeting over 400 MMT of cargo volumes in FY24, surpassing the upper end of the guidance range (370-390 MMT) provided at the start of the current financial year.

Bilateral trade between India, Bangladesh down during pre-election season

The India-Bangladesh bilateral trade, already strained by economic headwinds during the year, has dampened in some land ports due to the upcoming general elections in the neighbouring country, exporters said on Tuesday. Bangladesh is set to hold its 12th general election on January 7 and the pre-election atmosphere has cast a shadow on the cross-border trade. Indian exports to Bangladesh between April and October 2023 declined by 13.32 per cent, while imports saw a marginally smaller 2.3 per cent dip, according to data from the Department of Commerce. "Trade activity has been affected for some time now due to Bangladesh's forex shortages and liquidity crunch. The election-related slowdown is expected to be temporary, but stricter rules like the 110 per cent margin on letters of credit compared to the earlier 10 per cent have been a major concern for traders," a commodity exporter told PTI on condition of anonymity. Stakeholders point to the general slowdown in trade activity during

India turns to Saudi as purchases of Russian crude oil fall in December

Indian Oil Corp, which was set to get the Sokol oil, had to withdraw from its inventory and buy from the Middle East to make up the shortfall, sources told Reuters last month