(a) the salient features of the Export Policy of the Government;
(b) the total number of countries associated with this policy;
(c) whether the Government proposes to export to small countries;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the time within which exports are likely to be started and if they have already started, the details of annual exports to these countries in each of the last three years?
THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a): As per Schedule – 2 of Indian Trade Clarification (Harmonised System) Export Policy, 2018, all commodities / items have been categorized into three categories namely (i) free (ii) prohibited; and (iii) restricted. Barring a few items, all items are free for export. However, ‘Free’ exportability is subject to any other law for time being in force. While ‘Prohibited’ items are not allowed for export, items which fall under ‘restricted’ category are permitted for export subject to export authorization issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
(b): Export could be made to any country, except as restricted under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, as per international obligations/United Nations Security Council embargo.
(c), (d) and (e): India has signed Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with a number of trading partners, including small countries. These agreements provide opportunities for exports to these trading partners at preferential duties. The annual exports to the FTA partners, including small countries, over the last 3 years, are given in the Annexure.
Annexure to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3755 to be answered on 11.12.2019 on "Indian Export Policy"
India’s Exports to the FTA partners, including small countries, over the last 3 years
(in US$ billion)
FTA partners 2016-17 2017-2018 2018-2019
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) 31.0 34.2 37.5
Japan 3.8 4.7 4.9
South Korea 4.2 4.5 4.7
Malaysia 5.2 5.7 6.4
Singapore 9.6 10.2 11.6
Thailand 3.1 3.7 4.4
Bhutan 0.5 0.5 0.7
Nepal 5.5 6.6 7.8
Sri Lanka 3.9 4.5 4.7
South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) 19.2 23.1 25.3
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