India’s exports during the last three years are as under:
Year
|
Exports (Merchandise +Services)
(USD Billion)
|
Growth (%)
|
2017-18
|
498.61
|
13.31
|
2018-19
|
538.08
|
7.91
|
2019-20
|
526.55
|
-2.14
|
Source: DGCI&S& RBI
Eexport targets are set for Special Economic Zones (SEZs)/Export Oriented Units (EOUs). The SEZ units/EOU units are under obligation to achieve positive Net Foreign Exchange (NFE) earning to be calculated cumulatively for a period of 5 years from the commencement of production. The total exports from SEZs and EOUs during the last two years and the current year is as under:
(Rs.in crore)
Year
|
SEZs export
|
EOUs export
|
2018-19
|
7,01,179
|
87371.74
|
2019-20
|
7,96,669
|
102492.92
|
2020-21 (upto 31.12.2020)
|
5,53,396
|
65602.04*
|
* Provisional
Merchandise exports to Europe and other major western countries (USA, Canada and Mexico) exhibited a positive growth trend in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Year-wise exports during the last three years are as under:
(in USD Billion)
Countries
|
2017-18
|
Growth%
|
2018-19
|
Growth%
|
2019-20
|
Growth%
|
Europe
|
60.35
|
13.16
|
64.38
|
6.68
|
60.56
|
-5.93
|
Other Western Countries
|
USA
|
47.88
|
13.42
|
52.41
|
9.46
|
53.09
|
1.30
|
Mexico
|
3.78
|
9.30
|
3.84
|
1.55
|
3.62
|
-5.67
|
Canada
|
2.51
|
25.05
|
2.85
|
13.78
|
2.85
|
0.01
|
Total
|
54.17
|
13.61
|
59.10
|
9.10
|
59.56
|
0.79
|
Source: DGCI&S
As per World Bank data, some of the major sectors that showed a decline in global demand during 2019 (latest data available) include chemicals, fuels, textiles & clothing, machinery & electricals, metals and transportation. Of these, India’s exports showed a decline in respect of fuels, textiles & clothing and metals during the same period.
The following are some of the key steps taken by Government to increase exports:
- Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) extended by one year, i.e., upto 31-3-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
- Interest Equalization Scheme on pre and post shipment rupee export credit has also been extended by one year, i.e., upto 31-3-2021.
- A new Scheme, Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP), has been launched with effect from 01.01.2021.
- Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin has been launched to facilitate trade and increase FTA utilization by exporters.
- A comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” to provide an impetus to agricultural exports related to agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and food processing sectors, is under implementation.
- Promoting and diversifying services exports by pursuing specific action plans for the 12 Champion Services Sectors.
- Promoting districts as export hubs by identifying products with export potential in each district, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products and supporting local exporters/manufacturers to generate employment in the district.
- Active role of Indian missions abroad towards promoting India’s trade, tourism, technology and investment goals has been enhanced.
- Package announced in light of the Covid pandemic to support domestic industry through various banking and financial sector relief measures, especially for MSMEs, which constitute a major share in exports.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha yesterday.