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Foreign trade policy

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FOREIGN TRADE POLICY/EXTERNAL POLICY In every five years, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, announces the Export-Import (EXIM) policy. This is an effort towards the encouragement of foreign trade and creation of a complimentary Balance of Payments. The EXIM policy, updated yearly on 31st of March, is followed from 1st April. Some of the chief highlights of the current policy are: 1. Extension of the DEPB scheme till May, the next year. 2. Service tax will be refunded on maximum services 3. Extending Income tax benefit for EOUs. 4. Extension of FMS coverage and inclusion of ten more countries including Mongolia, Croatia, Ghana, Colombia, Albania, etc. 5. Introduction of split-up facility 6. Payment of excise duty by export oriented units on monthly basis rather than consignment basis. However, the central government reserves the right to amend any of the sections of this policy in public interest. Some of the focus initiatives of the policy are: To have a greater share in the global trade and generate more employment opportunities, a number of focus initiatives that have been identified for various sectors are: Agriculture: Some of the policies that have been introduced are-Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojana. Moreover, diverse export promotion schemes have allowed the use of export of certain restricted items. Import of certain pesticides has been approved under the advance authorization schemes for export of agricultural products. Handloom: MAI/MDA schemes have granted specific plans for the promotion of export of handloom items. Duty free import on certain items has been conferred which has proved to be beneficiary. These include hand knotted carpets. Handicraft: Establishment of new handicraft SEZs would enable the procurement of products from the cottage sector and also help in the finishing for exports. It is also suggested that the import entitlement of machineries, tools, trimmings and equipments will be 5% of the value of FOB for export that was recorded the previous year. Import trimmings, consumables and
Transcript
Page 1: Foreign trade policy

FOREIGN TRADE POLICY/EXTERNAL POLICY

In every five years, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, announces the Export-Import (EXIM) policy. This is an effort towards the encouragement of foreign trade and creation of a complimentary Balance of Payments. The EXIM policy, updated yearly on 31st of March, is followed from 1st April.

Some of the chief highlights of the current policy are:

1. Extension of the DEPB scheme till May, the next year.

2. Service tax will be refunded on maximum services

3. Extending Income tax benefit for EOUs.

4. Extension of FMS coverage and inclusion of ten more countries including Mongolia, Croatia, Ghana, Colombia, Albania, etc.

5. Introduction of split-up facility

6. Payment of excise duty by export oriented units on monthly basis rather than consignment basis.

However, the central government reserves the right to amend any of the sections of this policy in public interest. Some of the focus initiatives of the policy are:To have a greater share in the global trade and generate more employment opportunities, a number of focus initiatives that have been identified for various sectors are:

Agriculture:Some of the policies that have been introduced are-Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojana. Moreover, diverse export promotion schemes have allowed the use of export of certain restricted items. Import of certain pesticides has been approved under the advance authorization schemes for export of agricultural products.

Handloom:MAI/MDA schemes have granted specific plans for the promotion of export of handloom items. Duty free import on certain items has been conferred which has proved to be beneficiary. These include hand knotted carpets.

Handicraft:Establishment of new handicraft SEZs would enable the procurement of products from the cottage sector and also help in the finishing for exports. It is also suggested that the import entitlement of machineries, tools, trimmings and equipments will be 5% of the value of FOB for export that was recorded the previous year. Import trimmings, consumables and embellishments are under the authorization of handicraft EPC.

Gems and Jewellery:The replenishment scheme holds the authority to allow the import of 8K or above gold backed up by an Assay certificate for the specification of weight, alloy content and purity. Several import duties have been revised for jewellery, cut and polished diamonds, marine sector, electronics, leather and footwear, etc.

Major export items of India :Live animals, milk products, wheat, rice, coffee, tea, spices, cumin seed, tamarind powder, sesame seed, sugar, henna, herbal extract, medicines, fertilizers, chemicals, salt, iron ores, minerals, books, leather products, textile, dyes and pigments, home furnishing, footwear, brass items, Aluminium items, sanitary wear, ceramic, glassware, flanges, fittings, embroidered and Zari items, pipe and pipe fittings, handicraft, cables, medical disposables, laboratory equipments, surgical equipments, sports

Page 2: Foreign trade policy

goods, wooden furniture and various other engineering and electrical products.

Major Import items of India :The rising expenditures of the middle income sections of the society have resulted in the imports of the country. The major items of imports are:Cereals and preparations, Fertilizers, Edible Oil, Sugar, Pulp and waste paper, Paper, Newsprint, Crude rubber, Non-ferrous Metals, Metalliferrous ores and metal scrap, Iron and Steel, Crude Petroleum and petroleum products, Pearls, Precious and Semi-Precious stones, Machinery, Project Goods, Pulses, Coal and its derivatives, Non-metallic, Organic & Inorganic chemicals, Dyeing, tanning material, Medicinal products and Pharma products, Artificial resins, yarn & fabrics(silk, cotton, wool), electronic goods, wood and wood products, gold and silver, essential oils, computer software, etc.

Get a comprehensive idea about the various import and export items of India and their contribution the growth of the Indian Economy under this section.

Top Exports Products

 Values in US$ Millions

Rank

Name of CommodityApr 2007 - Feb 2008

Apr 2008 - Feb 2009

Export Valueof Goods

Export Valueof Goods

%Growth

%Growth

%Share

%Share

Value (INR in Crores)

Value (US$ in Millions)

Value (INR in Crores)

Value (US$ in Millions)

Value (INR in Crores)

Value (US$ in Millions)

Value (INR in Crores)

Value (US$ in Millions)

1INDIA EXPORT OF GEMS & JEWELLARY

61,369.32

13,867.33

62,586.53

13,785.00

1.98 -0.59 12.26 12.26

2INDIA EXPORT OF PETROLEUM (CRUDE & PRODUCTS)

47,016.18

10,624.02

76,683.05

16,889.83

63.10 58.98 15.02 15.02

3INDIA EXPORT OF RMG COTTON INCL ACCESSORIES

25,535.86

5,770.21

27,520.53

6,061.54

7.77 5.05 5.39 5.39

4INDIA EXPORT OF MACHINERY AND INSTRUMENTS

19,773.71

4,468.17

26,512.59

5,839.53

34.08 30.69 5.19 5.19

5INDIA EXPORT OF DRUGS,PHRMCUTES & FINE CHEMLS

19,553.87

4,418.49

21,833.63

4,808.97

11.66 8.84 4.28 4.28

6INDIA EXPORT OF MANUFACTURES OF METALS

16,674.57

3,767.87

20,156.05

4,439.47

20.88 17.82 3.95 3.95

7INDIA EXPORT OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENTS

16,374.62

3,700.09

19,064.44

4,199.04

16.43 13.48 3.73 3.73

8 INDIA EXPORT OF COTTON

15,638.97

3,533.86

16,682.33

3,674.37

6.67 3.98 3.27 3.27

Page 3: Foreign trade policy

YARN,FABRICS,MADEUPSETC

9INDIA EXPORT OF IRON ORE

14,505.39

3,277.71

15,074.03

3,320.13

3.92 1.29 2.95 2.95

10INDIA EXPORT OF PRMRY & SEMI-FNSHD IRON & STL

11,641.69

2,630.62

17,856.68

3,933.02

53.39 49.51 3.50 3.50

Top Import Products

Values in US$ Millions

Rank

Name of Commodity

Apr 2007 - Feb 2008

Apr 2008 - Feb 2009

Import Valuesof Goods

Import Valuesof Goods

%Growth

%Growth

%Share

%Share

Values (INR in Crores)

Values (US$ in Millions)

Values (INR in Crores)

Values (US$ in Millions)

Values (INR in Crores)

Values (US$ in Millions)

Values (INR in Crores)

Values (US$ in Millions)

1India Import Of - WHEAT

. . 1,417.61 312.24 . . 0.19 0.19

2

India Import Of - PETROLEUM, CRUDE & PRODUCTS

175,945.00

39,757.45

236,601.84

52,112.76

34.47 31.08 32.10 32.10

3

India Import Of - ELECTRONIC GOODS

52,093.4311,771.30

65,281.4614,378.58

25.32 22.15 8.86 8.86

4India Import Of - GOLD

42,742.00 9,658.21 58,704.8112,930.03

37.35 33.88 7.97 7.97

5

India Import Of - MACHRY EXCPT ELEC & ELECTRONIC

39,209.91 8,860.08 56,216.2412,381.91

43.37 39.75 7.63 7.63

6

India Import Of - PERLS PRCUS SEMIPRCS STONES

38,229.69 8,638.58 30,061.51 6,621.20 -21.37 -23.35 4.08 4.08

7 India Import Of - OTHER

23,551.34 5,321.78 18,258.34 4,021.49 -22.47 -24.43 2.48 2.48

Page 4: Foreign trade policy

COMMODITIES

8

India Import Of - ORGANIC CHEMICALS

18,839.31 4,257.03 22,405.24 4,934.87 18.93 15.92 3.04 3.04

9India Import Of - IRON & STEEL

17,413.25 3,934.79 24,413.75 5,377.25 40.20 36.66 3.31 3.31

10

India Import Of - COAL,COKE & BRIQUITTES ETC.

15,332.59 3,464.63 18,363.64 4,044.69 19.77 16.74 2.49 2.49

Foreign Trade Policy/external policy 2007-2008 - A complete analysis

DFIA Scheme: There is a big change which has not been informed. The brokers in the market knew this change & they are already sitting on huge DFIA s to drain the exchequer. This will put the bonafide exporters to a loss & discrimination. Though the problem of total duty exemption was revealed immediately after the DFIA scheme was announced last year, no efforts were made to plug the loophole. Now in case of transferability the Additional duty will have to be paid. Two wrongs never make one right. The position is that unwarranted confusion & cause for litigation is created. It shows that we can only mess up the things but not promote exports. The surge in issuance of the DFIA in the last few days tells you the complete story

The Duty Drawback clause in respect of DFIA is confusing. If the duty is paid then this will be reimbursed as duty drawback is difficult to comprehend.

 What will happen in case of non exciseable unit & in case the unit wants to sell the material locally. The provisions are absurd & simply confirm that the policy makers simply don’t understand what they are trying to do. You may say drafting is really poor.

In Advance Authorisation regarding Drawback it is mentioned that Drawback allowed will be mentioned in authorization, which is confusing.  

 The supplies to SEZ are physical exports are possible in Indian Rupee. There is an error to the extent that these supplies will require 33% value addition in such circumstances. You cant discriminate against yourself.

 Service tax exemption/remission on services rendered in India and utilised by exporters. This is reiteration & a serious problem exists in this case. The problem remains about the mechanism to determine the incidence. How the MOC&I & the MOF determine what is the component & how will it be refunded. The MOC&I agrees for this but the problem is with the issuance of MOF notification. Therefore without specifying the way to determine the incidence on exports,the provision is futile/eye wash.

 Services rendered abroad and charged on exports from India to be exempted from service tax. At

Page 5: Foreign trade policy

least Service Tax on commission payable to the foreign agents will not be payable anymore under any circumstances.

 Efforts to be made to provide timely disbursement of central sales tax, duty drawback, and terminal excise duty. In case of any delay, interest to be provided with effect from 1.4.2006. This is again a reiteration. It is difficult to understand that why DEPB, Advance Authorisation & refund of fees has been kept out of this purview. If there is delay in issuing DEPB then why the DGFT should not compensate the exporter on reciprocal basis? You deduct 10% of the entitlement if the application is not made in time.

 Exporters affected by force majeure or other unforeseen circumstances/reasons, to be provided more time for completing their export obligation. It is difficult to understand that why such leniency is not shown in Revalidation of authorizations for imports. Defaulters are treated as son in laws & efficient exporters are cheated.

 The limit for duty free import of samples increased to Rs.75,000 from Rs.60000.

 Rationalisation in the threshold criteria and reclassification of status holder scheme. Once again new names have been used instead one star, two star etc. It is difficult to understand that what benefits are derived out of such gimmicks.

 Duty on fuel and 4% special additional duty to be factored in the DEPB scheme. This was reportedly already implemented in case of the Duty Drawback scheme. However the FTP says that this element will be reversed through the Brand Rate in case Cenvat is not claimed. Now this is ridiculous because the incidence will be too low to motivate you to go for the claim. The administrative work & expense will be prohibitive. This is also not in accordance with the Minister’s speech.

 EPCG scheme revamped to achieve simplification and make it user friendly. The scheme with 5 % duty does not make sense at all. The exporters are being cheated/drained. Non Cenvating of CVD paid in cash is again a ridiculous provision & it shows that there is no proper application of mind to trace the implication of policy provision. If you are an new exporter or exporter with huge export base, you are a looser. A complete analysis will be given later.

 Benefit of all duty exemption and remission schemes such as advance authorisation scheme, DEPB and DFIA extended to the supply of goods to developer and co-developer of the SEZ. This used to exist earlier in case of EOUs & is simply a clarification.

 Verification at customs dispensed with under EPCG and advance authorization scheme. Customs has failed to implement this in case of DEPB till date even though the scheme is in operation since 1.10.05. why the MOC&I not able to implement.  

 Encouragement to agro exports through VKUY. ‘Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojana’ (VKGUY) is being expanded to include coconut oil, soyabean oil, potato flakes, meals and flours, cardamom, food preparations like soups, sauces, pasta & bakery products, artistic wooden furniture, herbal extracts of forest products, malt and minor forest produce, etc. The DGFT seems to have given up the recognition criterion & the list seems to be expanded on the basis of influence. A new Scheme for incentivising agro processing with status holders being rewarded with duty credit scrips equal to 10% of the value of agricultural exports, provided they use them for duty redemption on imports of cold storage, pack houses, reefer vans, etc. Why this should be restricted to the big boys is difficult to fathom? This would be over and above the benefits available from the existing schemes of Ministries of Agriculture and Food Processing, etc. Benefits under VKGUY would also be given to such EOUs which do not avail direct tax benefits. The provision is not reflected in the FTP/HBP. It seems to be a last minute inclusion. It is difficult to understand that why this is restricted to Agro products because there are other units which are 100% EOU s & not availing direct taxes.

Page 6: Foreign trade policy

 A new scheme to give impetus to exports of high tech products, is being launched. The 10% entitlement is too high & invitation to cheat. Incremental growth basis is quite confusing. It is designed to dole out benefit to Big boys on you take care of me & I take care of you approach. In spite of DFCE & Target Plus scheme bad experience this is done.

.Mica and its variants, barley, oats, soyabean, cigar/cheroots, bovine fats and copra are being included under Focus Product scheme. Also, 16 new countries including 10 former CIS countries are being included under the Focus Market Scheme (FMS).

Exports and employment in handloom and handicraft sectors provided further push through duty free access to machinery and equipment for effluent treatment plants. The export obligation period under EPCG Scheme for them is being increased from 8 to 12 years.

To sharpen core strength of promising gems and jewellery sectors and handicraft sector, duty free access to tools,machinery and equipment proposed to be provided to give them competitive edge.

Export of rhodium polished silver jewellery to be encouraged further.  Duty free Consumables to the extent of 3% of the FOB value of Exports are now allowed.

 To reduce transaction cost for diamond sector, testing facility at Dubai incorporated in the list of certifying agencies.

Employment, manufacturing and value additions in the EOU scheme to be encouraged further by extending the benefit of focus products, focus market, and vishesh krishi and gram udyog yojana scheme. This is again subsidization & actionable subsidy under the WTO regime & should have been avoided. It seems this is done so that EOU exporters do not raise voices against SEZ scheme.

 Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) and Engineering Process outsourcing(EPO)—initiatives will be taken to strengthen the exports.

 DEPB(Duty Entitlement Pass Book) Scheme stands extended for another year upto 31.3.2008. DEPB will be replaced by new scheme in consultation with the exporters. Reiteration of old statement of 2006.

 Import of spares, tools, spare refractories for all the existing imported plant and machinery would also be now allowed under Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme. This was anyhow allowed. I don’t know why they should blow their trumpet?

Block-wise fulfillment of export obligations is done away with in case of EPCG licences. This simply absolves the DGFT/RLA from responsibility for a long period of time.

 Wherever more than one concurrent EPCG authorization has been issued, the fresh EPCG authorization would build upon the last required average export obligation only, notwithstanding the actual achievements of the previous year. (This is not reflected in the FTP or once again there is a serious drafting error- Paragraph 5.4 (i) may please be seen). This way better performance would not be penalized. If the actual performance is lower then the EPCG holder will be put in more serious problem. Therefore the proposition is not in the best interest of the exporter. The baggage of average maintenance has no rationale & needed to be given up but plea has fallen on deaf ears.

 In EOU loophole for fulfillment of export obligation without effecting actual exports is reintroduced with a variation. Para 6.9 b. The DGFT should ask themselves a question that whether hawala is being promoted as a policy measure! Why should somebody make payment from abroad for DTA supplies in India.

 In EPCG one more absurd condition is imposed, which says that foreign exchange counted towards

Page 7: Foreign trade policy

the fulfillment of export obligation (over & above the average) will not be eligible for rewards under promotional measures. Neither one can comprehend nor fathom the rationale of such idiosyncrasy.  Are you trying to promote exports or play a cruel joke!

 Counter sales in free foreign exchange don’t count for discharge of Export obligation anymore. The rationale is not clear. It is difficult to understand why such complications are created.

 Additionally, we are providing for waiving the outstanding export obligations, where force majeure and other unforeseen circumstances (read you take care of me & I take care of you) have prevented the fulfillment of the export obligations.

Developers and co-developers of SEZs would be notified for benefits for duty neutralization under DEPB, DFIA (Duty Free Import Authorization) and Advanced Authorization Schemes. Supplies of accessories, such as buttons and hangers by EOUs to DTA units will be counted for net foreign exchange calculations, if these items are exported along with export product from DTA. Is it an attempt to manage value addition on behalf of the exporters when there is no value addition in actuality by the EOU unit! You have to give full credit to MOC&I officials for coming out with such tricks.

 EOU policy still says that Cenvat credit is available though the new policy is of exemption/remission but the same does not find mention. The EOU can avail of Advance Authorisation also to save the payment of duty at the time of debonding.

Second verification by the customs authorities under EPCG and advanced authorization scheme would be resorted to only on random basis. It simply provides an opportunity to harass those who do not pay. When verification is completed online, why verification on random basis is required because verification is completed through the computer database. Do you doubt the sanctity of the computer systems! If yes, then improve the quality of people at work or your systems. Please refrain from promoting rent seeking!

 Installation certificate on imported capital goods can now be obtained from a Chartered Engineer instead of only from an Excise official.  This facility existed earlier but was taken away & now reintroduced. It seems there is a concerted attempt (In DEPB & Advance Authorisation schemes also to keep the Revenue department out of the loop).

The length of the existing ‘Aayat Niryat form’ is reduced substantially. Legth is not the problem but application of mind in eliciting the right kind of information is the problem.

The word ‘manufacturing’ is being clearly defined in the new Income Tax Code to ensure greater predictability and stability in determining direct tax liability of domestic manufacturers.  Read introduction of loophole to allow the Income Tax benefit even when there is no manufacturing taking place!

 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) A very general statement has been made to paint a rosy picture though the truth is otherwise. These are conduits for circular trading, money laundering & subsidies.

 

FOREIGN TRADE POLICY/EXTERNAL POLICY 2008 - 09

1. Introduction :

Page 8: Foreign trade policy

India to be taken for the overall development of the country’s foreign trade. While increase in exports

is of vital importance, we have also to facilitate those imports which are required to stimulate our

economy. Coherence and consistency among trade and other economic policies is important for

maximizing the contribution of such policies to development. Thus, while incorporating the existing

practice of enunciating an annual Exim Policy, it is necessary to go much beyond and take an

integrated approach to For India to become a major player in world trade, an all encompassing,

comprehensive view needs the developmental requirements of India’s Foreign trade.

The Government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry announces Export Import Policy after

every five years. EXIM policy, in general, aims at developing export potential, improving export

performance, encouraging foreign trade and creating favorable balance of payments position. The

current Exim Policy covers the period 2004-2009. The Export Import Policy (EXIM Policy) is updated

every year on the 31st of March and the modifications, improvements and new schemes becomes

effective from 1st April of every year.

2. General Objectives of Policy :

1. To establish the framework for globalization.

2 To promote the productivity competitiveness of Indian Industry.

3 To Encourage the attainment of high and internationally accepted standards of quality.

4 To augment export by facilitating access to raw material,intermediate, components,

consumables and capital goods from the international market.

5 To promote internationally competitive import substitution and self-reliance..

3. Focus Of the policy ( 2008 – 2009) :

Trade is not an end in itself, but a means to economic growth and national development. The

primary purpose is not the mere earning of foreign exchange, but the stimulation of greater

economic activity.

Page 9: Foreign trade policy

The Foreign Trade Policy is rooted in this belief and built around two major

objectives. These are:

1. To double our percentage share of global merchandise trade within the next five years; and

2. To act as an effective instrument of economic growth by giving a thrust to employment

generation.

4. Strategy :

These objectives are proposed to be achieved by adopting, among others, the following strategies:

1. Unshackling of controls and creating an atmosphere of trust and transparency to unleash

the innate entrepreneurship of our businessmen, industrialists and traders

.

2. Simplifying procedures and bringing down transaction costs.

3. Neutralizing incidence of all levies and duties on inputs used in export products, based on

the fundamental principle that duties and levies should not be exported

.

4. Facilitating development of India as a global hub for manufacturing, trading and services.

5. Identifying and nurturing special focus areas which would generate additional employment

opportunities, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas, and developing a series of

‘Initiatives’ for each of these

.

6. Facilitating technological and infrastructural up gradation of all the sectors of the Indian

economy, especially through import of capital goods and equipment, thereby increasing

value addition and productivity, while attaining internationally accepted standards of quality

.

7. Avoiding inverted duty structures and ensuring that our domestic sectors are not

disadvantaged in the Free Trade Agreements/Regional Trade Agreements/Preferential

Trade Agreements that we enter into in order to enhance our exports

Page 10: Foreign trade policy

.

8. Upgrading our infrastructural network, both physical and virtual, related to the entire

Foreign Trade chain, to international standards.

9. Revitalizing the Board of Trade by redefining its role, giving it due recognition and inducting

experts on Trade Policy.

10. Activating our Embassies as key players in our export strategy and linking our Commercial

Wings abroad through an electronic platform for real time trade intelligence and enquiry

dissemination.

Main Annual Supplement Highlights (2008 – 09)

1. DEPB scheme has been extended till May 2009.

2. Refund of service tax on almost all the services.

3. Income tax benefit to 100% EOUs has been extended by Government.

4. Coverage of FMS has been increased and additional 10 countries have been included. These

are Mongolia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, Croatia, Honduras, Djibouti, Sudan,

Ghana and Colombia.

5. Split-up facility under DFIA Scheme introduced.

6. Duty free import of samples has been increased from Rs.75, 000 to Rs.1,00,000.

7. Value of jeweler parcels, through Foreign Post Office is raised to US$ 75,000. Earlier it was

from US$ 50,000.

8. EOUs shall be allowed to pay excise duty on monthly basis, instead of the present system of

paying duty on consignment basis.

9. Customs duty payable under EPCG Scheme has been reduced from 5% to 3%.

6. Some Other Highlights of The EXIM Policy :

1. Inter State Trade Council :

Page 11: Foreign trade policy

To engage the State Government inproviding an enabling environment for boosting international

trade, by setting up an Inter State Trade Council.

2. Removal of Export Cess :

Proposed to abolish cess on export of all agricultural and plantation commodities levied under

various commodity Board Acts.

3. Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG) :

This scheme is extended to Agricultural sector, SSI sector, Retail Sectors in order to

promote exports from them.

4. Service Export :

To upgrade infrastructure in the service related companies.

5. Agri Export :

Benefits under ‘Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana’ have been extended to exports of poultry and

dairy products in addition to export of flowers, fruits, vegetables and their value added products.

6. Package for Marine Sector :

Duty free import of specified specialized chemicals and flavoring oils as per a defined list shall

be allowed to the extent of 1% of FOB value of preceding financial years export.

7. Advance Licensing Scheme :

The Scope of Advance License for annual requirement has been extended to all categories of

exporters having past export performance.

8. Duty Free Replenishment Certificate :

Brass scrap, Additives, paper board, and dye stuff have been removed from the list of items

prescribed for import under DFRC.

9. Procedural Simplification :

Proposed to simplify procedures and reduce the documentation requirements so as to reduce

the transaction cost of the exporters and thereby increase their competitiveness

Page 12: Foreign trade policy

10. EDI Initiatives :

DGFT shall introduce an automated electronic system for filing, retrieval and authentication of

documents based on agreed protocols and message exchange with other authorities such

including Customs and banks.

7. Implications of The Foreign Trade (2004-09):

1. Implications on Indian Economy:

This policy propose to simplify procedures and develop technology and infrastructure.

2. Implications on Agriculture:

– Special Agricultural Produce Scheme has been introduced for promoting the export of

fruits, vegetables, flowers, and their value added products.

3. Implications on Handlooms and Handicraft:

– Establishment of Handicraft SEZ and Handicraft Export Promotion Council would promote

development of Handloom and Handicraft Industry

4. Implications on Gem and Jewellery Sector :

– This is special thrust area in this policy. Duty free imports of other inputs would give a

further boostto this sector

5. Implications on Leather and Footwear Industry :

– Duty free import as a specified percentage of exports. Exemption on customs duty on

equipment for effluent treatment plants would help promoting export form this sector.

6. Implications on Service Industry :

An exclusive service promotion council has been set up in order to map the opportunities for

key services in key market.

Highlights of the Interim Indian Foreign Trade Policy 2009 - 10.FTP BENEFITS WITHOUT BRC

Duty credit scrip now will be issued without waiting for realization of export proceeds. The exporters shall be required to submit proof of export proceeds realization within the time limits prescribed by Reserve Bank of India. The issuance of these benefits without BRC would be subject to a Bank Guarantee/LUT in terms of Circular to be issued. This provision shall be applicable for applications made on or after 1.4.2009.

Page 13: Foreign trade policy

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS UNDER PROMOTIONAL SCHEMES

Rupees 325 Crore will be provided under Promotional Schemes for Leather, Textile etc. for exports.

Benefit of 5% under FPS has been notified for export of handmade carpets, in lieu of 3.5% benefit allowed earlier under VKGUY Scheme.

GEMS & JEWELLERY SECTOR

Import restrictions on worked corals have been removed to address the grievance of gem and jewellery exporters.

An authorized person of Gem & Jewellery units in EOU shall be allowed personal carriage of gold in primary form up to 10 Kg in a financial year subject to RBI and customs guidelines.

ADVANCE AUTHORISATION

Export obligation period against advance authorizations has been extended up to 36 months in view of the present global economic slowdown.

Supply of an Intermediate product by the domestic supplier directly from their factory to the Port against Advance Intermediate Authorization, for export by ultimate exporter, has been allowed.

In case of Advance Authorization for Annual Requirement where Standard Input-Output Norms are not fixed, the provisions in Customs Notification have been amended in line with Foreign Trade Policy.

DEPB SCHEME

At present, DEPB/Duty Credit Scrip can be used for payment of duty only on items which are under free category.

EPCG SCHEME

Under the EPCG scheme, in case of decline in exports of a product(s) by more than 5%, the export obligation for all exporters of that product(s) is to be reduced proportionately.

EPCG Authorization / Redemption Form i.e. ANF 5A and 5B are being simplified and new forms would be issued shortly.

PREMIER TRADING HOUSES

At present, the Government of India recognizes Premier Trading Houses based on an export turnover of Rs.10, 000 crore in the previous three years and the current year taken together.

TOWNS OF EXPORT EXCELLENCE

Bhilwara in the state of Rajasthan and Surat in Gujarat have been recognized as Towns of Export Excellence for the textiles and diamonds respectively.

Page 14: Foreign trade policy

OTHER FACILITATION MEASURES

Re-imbursement of additional duty of excise levied on fuel under the Finance Acts would be admissible in respect of EOUs.

Re-credit of 4% SAD, in the case of payment of the duty by incentive scheme scrips.

As per the existing procedure, applicants have to submit individual invoices certified by the jurisdictional excise authorities for claiming duty drawback claims. A simplified provision has now been introduced where exporters can now submit a Central Excise certified statement in lieu of individual invoices and a Monthly Statement confirming duty payment in lieu of ER-1/ ER-3, for the purpose of Deemed Export Benefits.

Export of blood samples is now permitted without license after obtaining �no objection certificate� from Director General of Health Services (DGHS).

Simplified export procedure for issue of Free Sale Certificate.

In addition to the above, DGFT and Department of Revenue provisions have been aligned in following matters:

Utilization of Duty Credit scrip allowed under Reward Schemes of Chapter 3 / DEPB in Chapter 4 of FTP for payment of duty under EPCG Scheme .

Notification of DFIA scheme aligned with FTP provisions.

Granite Sector EOUs have been allowed procurement of spares up to 5% value of quarrying equipment in each financial year.

Re-import of exported pharmaceutical samples by EOUs without payment of duty for statutory requirement of Stability or Retention has been allowed and notified by DOR.

Department of Revenue shall issue necessary clarification thereby allowing to supply goods and services at Zero Duty to authorized organizations notified for Zero Duty import.

Customs Notification to allow import of Agricultural Capital Goods / Equipments by Status Holders.


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