Modi unveils new trade policy, to increase exports to 900 billion $ per year by 2019

With a view to make India a significant player in World trade the Government of India unveiled its Foreign Trade Policy on April 1^st.  It sets a very ambitious target to double exports by 2020 to $900 billion. India's total exports were $465.9 billion in the 2013/14 fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2014. At present its share in global exports in under 2%. India’s share in global trade (overall) languishes much behind other big economies. It stands at about 2.07 % for the year 2013. India’s exports have not grown in the recent years. The slowdown in EU and US, has accounted for this stagnation. USA has fared better but European Union which is a big partner has slowed down. The turmoil in the Middle East also has compounded the problems. European Union, Japan, Russia and Middle East combined account for 20% of Indian exports. 

India exported goods worth $312 billion in 2013-14. Here is table showing the stagnation that has hit India’s overall trade with the world. Exports for the years 2014-15 are most likely to be in the same range.

Year	Total Trade : Value in US $ Billion		Percentage share of India   in World Trade
	World	India
2011	36830	767.4	2.08
2012	37012	785.4	2.12
2013	37658	778.3	2.07
Source: World Trade Organisation ( Calendar Year )

Talking about the new policy, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that PM Narendra Modi's pet projects, 'Make in India' and 'Digital India' will be integrated with the new Foreign Trade Policy.

The new policy will focus on sectors like defence, pharmaceuticals, green goods, e-commerce, hi-technology products and project exports.

 How it is going to happen

The Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) is supposed to focus on tasks that will make it easier to do business in India and reduce bottlenecks. It will seek to change the perception of India as a not so business friendly country by working in collaboration with Digital India campaign making full use of technology.

Ø  It proposes to develop online procedures to upload digitally signed document by Chartered Accountant/Company Secretary/Cost Accountant to be developed.

Ø  No need to repeatedly submit physical copies of documents available on Exporter Importer Profile.

Ø  Inter-ministerial consultations to be held online for issue of various licenses

India followed the SEZ model (Special Exports Zone), however it hasn’t quite worked as expected. Out of formally approved 566 SEZs, only 185 are in operation. SEZs contribute to about 25% of our exports.  FTP 2015-20 introduces two new schemes, namely "Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)" and "Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS).  The 'Services Exports from India Scheme' (SEIS) is for increasing exports of notified services.

It has reduced Export Obligation (EO) (75%) for domestic procurement under EPCG scheme.

New Initiatives sector wise

Defense

352 defense related products including the core products, dual use products, general use products will be supported under the MEIS.

E Commerce

The new policy will support exports of Leather products, handloom, books, toys, leather. The value of each consignment will have to be above 25000, it would have to be exported under courier regulations. 

SEZs

The benefits of SEIS and MEIS have been exported to units located within the SEZs.

Branding:

To strengthen the Brand India, a branding campaign in the pharmaceutical and engineering products will begin soon. Also a plan will be devised to improve the quality of Indian merchandise.

Strategies for different markets

European Union:

The focus will be on meeting the phytosanitary standards of EU. Also India would focus on increasing the value the addition to the products which it exports to Europe, processed foods, services etc.

USA:

The focus will be on resolving the Intellectual property rights issue, ensuring access to skilled professionals. All the employment generating sectors will continue to receive attention.

South Asia:

Focus areas will be textiles, engineering goods, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, plastic and leather products

Africa:

Agro-processing, Mining, textiles, Mining, infrastructure, Development and construction projects.

Latin America

Large scale farming would a major focus area there, also exploiting the raw materials will be on agenda too.

CIS (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and former Soviet Union states)

Operationalizing the International North South Corridor.

China

Seeking access to Chinese markets in services, Pharmaceuticals, IT sectors. Removal of non-tariff barriers will also be on agenda.

Summary

 It provides a stable and sustainable policy environment for foreign trade. It seeks to diversify India’s foreign exports basket, strengthening Brand India and giving a boost to merchandise and services exports. It would be reviewed after two and a half years. It also mainstreams the states and union territories by establishing a Council for Trade Development and Promotion which will have representatives from the states and UTs.

The policy is very well calibrated to strengthen the Indian economy’s links with the global economy

Note : This article was originally published on Narendra Modi Portal, TheKarmayogi...Please check it for more articles on Narendra Modi and his plans for developing India

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