(a) the exports and imports made by India during the last one year;
(b) the products mainly exported and the quantum of export of each product during aforesaid period;
(c) whether exports from India are decreasing constantly and imports to India have increased in the recent past;
(d) if so, reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken or proposed to be taken to promote exports and discourage imports?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY( SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)
(a)&(b).According to the provisional data provided by the DGCI&S, Kolkata, in 2003-04 India`s
exports and imports were US$ 61.8 billion and US$ 75.2 billion respectively. Principal
commodities exported during April-February, 2003-04 are placed at Annexure-I.
(c) to (e).No, Sir. While imports have increased, exports have also maintained an upward
trend in the last two financial years and in the first two months of the present financial year.
In 2002-03 & 2003-04 exports increased in dollar terms by 20.34% and by 17.26% respectively
and in April-May,2004-05 it increased by 24.86% compared to the corresponding period in the
previous year. In fact, exports recorded more than the targeted growth in the last two years.
Constant efforts are being made by the Government to deal with the situation by both promoting
exports and monitoring the imports of sensitive items. A medium term Export Strategy which is
co- terminus with the 10th plan period (2002-07) was announced in January, 2002 with the
objective of enhancing India`s exports. In line with this strategy, a number of
programmes/schemes have been launched which include schemes like Assistance to States for
Developing Export Infrastructure (ASIDE), establishing Agri Export Zones, Market Access
Initiative, strengthening `Focus LAC` programme, introducing `Focus Africa` programme, etc.
In the Exim Policy 2003-04 and Exim Facilitation Measures announced in January, 2004, besides,
the focus on Service exports and policies to strengthen Special Economic Zones (SEZs),
a new programme called `Focus CIS` has been introduced. Thus measures are being taken
from time to time to increase India`s exports.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ECONOMIC DIVISION
Annexure:I
EXPORT OF PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES:APRIL-FEBRUARY, 2003-04 (US $ Million)
COMMODITIES APRIL-FEBRUARY APRIL-FEBRUARY PERCENTAGE 2002-2003 2003-2004 Growth WeightSource: Calculated by Economic Division, DOC based on DGCI&S, Data
I. PLANTATIONS 501.00 519.00 3.59 0.93
II.AGRI&ALLIED PRDTS 4264.00 4633.00 8.65 8.32
III. MARINE PRODUCTS 1304.00 1219.00 -6.52 2.19
IV. ORES & MINERALS 1809.00 1950.00 7.79 3.50
V. LEATHER & MFRS. 1703.00 1826.00 7.22 3.28
VI. GEMS & JEWELLERY 8083.00 9277.00 14.77 16.65
VII. SPORTS GOODS 68.00 84.00 23.53 0.15
VIII. CHEMICALS & RELATED 7125.00 8654.00 21.46 15.53 PRODUCTS
IX. ENGINEERING GOODS 6828.00 9215.00 34.96 16.54
X.ELECTRONIC GOODS 1167.00 1545.00 32.39 2.77
XI. PROJECT GOODS 48.00 75.00 56.25 0.13
XII. TEXTILES 9942.00 10643.00 7.05 19.10
XIII. HANDICRAFTS 692.00 396.00 -42.77 0.71
XIV. CARPETS 498.00 523.00 5.02 0.94
XV.COTTON RAW incl. waste 7.00 135.00 1828.57 0.24
XVI. PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 2228.00 3221.00 44.57 5.78 XVII. UNCLASSIFIED EXPORTS 871.00 1801.00 106.77 3.23
GRAND TOTAL 47136.11 55717.00 18.20 100.00