Exporters seek separate division for non-trade issues, faster customs clearance

Exporters on Thursday sought a separate division in the Commerce and Industry Ministry to deal with non-trade barriers such as those on environment and sustainability. At a meeting with Union Minister Piyush Goyal, they also raised the issue of Chinese goods entering India through the ASEAN free trade agreement.

The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Deforestation regulation, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the US’ Inflation Reduction Act to establish green technology industries are some of the non-trade barriers that will hurt India’s exports.

Discussions on making Invest India a global trade promotion organisation of the country also took place at the meeting.


“The minister asked the top export sectors of electronics, gems and jewellery, engineering goods and petroleum products to increase their value addition,” said a person who participated in the meeting.

Issues on container availability at hinterlands and some shipping lines bypassing India were also taken up.

Mobile manufactures sought faster customs clearances to boost exports.

India’s goods and services exports in FY24 were at an all-time high of $778.2 billion.