(a) whether a decision has been taken to encourage Border Trade between North Eastern States and the adjoining countries;
(b) the positive steps taken in this regard, State wise;
(c) whether the Government propose to monitor the implementation of this decision; and
(d) if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI MURASOLI MARAN)
(a) to (d) A STATEMENT is laid on the table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 282 FOR ANSWER ON 17.12.99 REGARDING BORDER TRADE
(a) Yes, Sir. Government are taking various steps to encourage border trade between the North Eastern States and the adjoining countries.
(b) to (d) Steps taken by the Government for promotion of exports (including Border Trade) from various States in the North Eastern region include, inter alia, sanction of projects for development of infrastructure under the Critical Infrastructure Balance scheme, setting up of Export Promotion Industrial Parks(EPIP), identification of Land Customs Stations for infrastructure development and opening of offices of Commodity Boards.
Four Export Promotion Industrial Parks have been sanctioned in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland. Other State Governments in the NE region have been requested to furnish proposals for Export Promotion Industrial Park.
15 Land Customs Stations are functional in the NE region for trade with Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan.
Under Exim Policy 1996-2002, Export Houses, Star Trading Houses of the NE region are eligible for additional Special Import Licences at 1% of the total turn-over, if they source at least 10% of the total export turn-over from NE Region.
There is a provision to recognise one State Corporation in each State as Export House in relaxation of the established criteria.
There is provision for enhanced air-subsidy for exports of pineapple exported from the airports located in the North East i.e., Agartala, Silchar, Guwahati, Imphal.
Commodity Boards and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) are actively engaged in promoting agriculture/horticulture/plantation related production and export activities.