In a recent meeting with the Commerce Ministry, trade bodies requested the ministry to setup a separate division to deal with non-trade barriers being put up by different countries, as they are significantly impacting Indian exports. Shipping lines skipping calls at Indian ports and shortage of container supply in the hinterland were flagged by the trade community.
Development of quality standards and FTAs to get greater market access across the globe was highlighted. Most of the non-tariff measures created by countries relate to rules for protection of human, animal and plant health. Technical measures include regulations, standards, testing, certification, pre-shipment inspection, or non-technical measures like quotas, import licensing, subsidies, or government procurement restrictions.
Reacting to the trade request for extension of interest equalisation scheme, the government has extended the scheme only for MSMEs for a period of 60 days. MSMEs can access bank credit at a subsidised rate for a further period of two months
Key Indian exports that routinely face high barriers include chillies, tea, basmati rice, milk, poultry, bovine meat, fish, and chemical products to the EU; sesame seed, black tiger shrimps, medicines, and apparel to Japan; food, meat, fish, dairy, and industrial products to China; shrimps to the US; and bovine meat to South Korea.
