(a) whether the Government have announced a new EXIM Policy;
(b) if so, the details of basic characteristics of the policy.
(c) The details of our commitments/agreements with World Trade Organisation , sector -wise;
(d) The necessary steps being taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to fulfil the commitments/agreements.
(e) Its impact on our industry/economy; and
(f) The corrective steps being taken by the Government to safeguard the interest of our industry.
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH )
(a ) to (f ) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS ( a ) to ( f ) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1043, REGARDING NEW EXIM POLICY
(a)&(b) : Yes, Sir. The revised EXIM Policy (RE-2000), 1997-2002 was notified on 31.3.2000 wherein, the Government has announced various measures to promote exports. These include setting up of Special Economic Zones, rationalisation of existing export promotion schemes(EPCG & Duty Exemption/Remission Scheme), encouragement to export of quality/branded goods, procedural simplification, decentralisation of decision making and reduction of interface between exporters and government organisations through the facility of electronic filing of application at several port offices.
(c) to (e): Following the Uruguay Round negotiations and the signing of the final Act embodying its results, India become a party to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO and several associate agreements including those on agriculture, textiles, services trade related investment measures and Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights.
Follow-up measures have been taken to implement the various agreements. Wherever required, laws have been enacted or are in the process of being considered to fulfil our commitments. In certain cases, the implementation period goes up to 2005.
The Uruguay round agreement represent a balance of rights and concessions agreed to by WTO members. Increased market access, further trade liberalisation, greater disciplining of trade measures and enhanced predictability are some of the positive features of the Uruguay Round Agreement.
(f) : The imports into the country are subject to applicable rates of Customs duties and are covered by domestic laws, rules, orders, regulations, technical specifications, environmental and safety norms as applicable to domestically produced goods. These measures should provide adequate safeguard to the domestic industry. Further, the imports are being closely monitored and Government is determined to ensure through appropriate use of the tariff mechanism that the imports do not cause a serious detriment or injury to the domestic industry.