Exports hurt: States flag facility and testing gaps, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Indian exporters face challenges including costlier raw materials, shortage of testing facilities, and lack of shipping containers.
• These issues were discussed at the Board of Trade (BoT) meeting chaired by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on November 25.
• Raw material costs are reportedly 15-20% higher than global prices, impacting export competitiveness.
• States like Rajasthan and Uttarakhand lack adequate testing labs, hindering quality assurance for exports.
• US tariffs and the failure to conclude a trade deal have contributed to slowing exports.

Detailed Insights:

• The Board of Trade (BoT) serves as an advisory body, recommending measures to boost foreign trade policy and simplify procedures.
• The Market Access Initiative was reportedly unavailable for nine months, while the Export Promotion Mission (EMP) modalities were announced on December 31, 2025.
• Assam faces hurdles in tea exports due to shipping line levies and the need for competitive freight rates from Inland Container Depot (ICD) Amingaon to Kolkata.
• The Seafood Exporters Association seeks accreditation for testing labs from the Marine Products Export Development Authority and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
• MSME representatives report domestic raw material prices being 15-20% higher than international prices, and the textiles sector faces higher energy costs.
• The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) raised concerns about restrictions on gold, platinum, and silver imports.
• District Export Committees need better monitoring to ensure regular meetings, as highlighted by the ceramics industry in Morbi.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Board of Trade (BoT): An advisory body that suggests measures related to foreign trade policy.
• Market Access Initiative: A scheme to promote exports by providing financial assistance.
• Export Promotion Mission (EMP): A scheme to promote exports, announced in the Union Budget.
• MSME: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.