Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

Foreign Trade Policy 2023: Aiming for $2 Trillion in Exports and Streamlining Processes

Central Idea

 

  • Foreign Trade Policy 2023 focuses on shifting from an incentive to a tax remission-based regime, improving the ease of doing business, promoting exports through collaborations, and targeting emerging areas. It aims to achieve $2 trillion in export of goods and services by 2030, up from the previous $900 billion target.

 

Foreign Trade Policy 2023

 

  1. Reducing Friction Points:
  • Automatic approvals for various permissions will streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for businesses.
  • Reduced processing times for revalidation of authorizations (expected to be brought down to one day), extension of export obligation periods, advance authorizations, and EPCG issuances will expedite export activities.
  • Lowered application fees for MSMEs will provide financial relief and encourage more small businesses to participate in global trade.
  1. Supporting Export Growth:
  • Facilitating e-commerce exports will enable Indian businesses to tap into the growing global e-commerce market, estimated to reach $6.07 trillion by 2024.
  • Widening the basket covered under RODTEP will ensure more exporters benefit from tax remission, increasing competitiveness.
  • Boosting manufacturing, particularly in labor-intensive sectors, will create more jobs and enhance the export potential.
  • Rationalizing thresholds for exporter recognition will make it easier for businesses to be acknowledged and incentivized for their export performance.
  • Merchanting trade reform will promote services exports and reduce transaction costs.
  • Promoting the use of the rupee in international trade can help reduce exchange rate risks and increase trade with countries facing currency restrictions.
  1. One-time Amnesty Scheme: The amnesty scheme aims at faster resolution of trade disputes, clearing pending cases, and improving the overall trade environment.

 

Supplemental Measures

 

  • Boost to domestic manufacturing: Lowering import tariffs will make raw materials and intermediate goods more affordable, boosting domestic manufacturing and export competitiveness.
  • Competitive Indian goods and services: Ensuring a competitive exchange rate will enhance the affordability of Indian goods and services in global markets.
  • FTA’s: Signing broader and deeper free trade agreements can open new markets for Indian exporters and attract foreign investments.

 

Conclusion

 

  • The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 comes at a time of global uncertainty, but with India’s small share in global trade (around 1.8% in merchandise exports and roughly 4% in services), there is significant room for improvement. The new policy, along with additional measures, can enhance the country’s trade performance and achieve the ambitious $2 trillion export target by 2030. However, it is crucial to monitor the policy’s implementation and address potential challenges for businesses to fully reap the benefits.

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