Question : MARINE PRODUCTS EXPORT DEVELOPMENT UNIT



(a) whether the Government of India proposes to set up Marine Products Export Development Unit;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken steps to export Indian fish, both feature length and shorts; and

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the details regarding export of fish during the last six months?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a & b) Government of India has already set up the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry by an Act of Parliament, Act No: 13 of 1972 for promoting export of marine products with headquarters at Cochin, Kerala.

(c & d) In order to boost export of Indian fish and fishery products, the Government has extended the benefits of the following schemes to the marine products industry:-

i. Duty Entitlement Passbook Scheme (DEPB).
ii. Duty free import of specified inputs for the industry.
iii. Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojana (VKGUY) Scheme
iv. Focus Market Scheme (FMS).
v. Focus Product Scheme (FPS).

MPEDA, is also taking the following steps to promote export of Indian fish and fishery products.

i. To support the expansion of export oriented industry, MPEDA is implementing various subsidy schemes for setting up processing facility for value added products, hatcheries, new aquaculture farms, ornamental fish breeding units, cold storages and handing centers for dry and chilled fish.
ii. To boost tuna fish exports MPEDA provides subsidy for converting the fishing vessels into “Tuna long-liners”.
iii. To preserve freshness of fish on board, subsidy is provided to construct “fish holds” and for purchasing “insulated fish boxes”.
iv. In order to offset the high cost of freight, MPEDA is implementing “Sea freight subsidy scheme for value added products”.
v. MPEDA is also organizing training programmes, awareness campaigns, and seminars for spreading new concepts and technology.

The details of the export of fish and fishery products during the last six months is at Annexure – I.