EXIM POLICY (2015-2020): TAKING INDIAN

EXPORTS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND LASTING

GROWTH
Pratibha Giri
Research Scholar,Department of Management Studies,Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan, (India)
Dr. Pramod Gupta
Professor,Department of Management Studies,Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan, (India)

ABSTRACT
Foreign trade plays a major part in India’s economy, so much so that foreign trade policy deserves a special
focus and dedicated attention as a key constituent of India’s economic policies. The new EXIM Policy (2015-20)
provides a framework for increasing exports of goods and services as well as generation of employment and
increasing value addition in the country, in keeping with the “Make in India” vision. The policy provides a
stable and sustainable environment for foreign trade in merchandise and services. It also link rules, procedures
and incentives for exports and imports with other initiatives such as “Make in India”, “Digital India” and
“Skills India”, thereby, helping various sectors of the economy to gain global competitiveness and creating an
architecture for India’s global trade engagement with a view to expanding its markets and better integration
with major regions.
The objective of this paper is to study and analyse the contribution of new EXIM Policy in enhancing India’s
export with the rest of the world. The paper also examines the various measures taken by the current policy for
augmenting India’s export competitiveness in a global market place.
Keywords: EXIM Policy (2015-20), Exports, Imports, Global Competitiveness etc.

I. INTRODUCTION
The Export-Import Policy (EXIM Policy), announced under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation
Act), 1992, would reflect the extent of regulations or liberalization of foreign trade and indicate the measures for
export promotion. The new EXIM Policy has been formulated focusing increase in export scenario, boosting
production and supporting the concepts like Make in India and Digital India.
The integration of the domestic economy through the twin channels of trade and capital flows has accelerated in
the past two decades which in turn led to the Indian economy growing from Rs 32 trillion (US$ 474.37 billion)
in 2004 to about Rs 153 trillion (US$ 2.3 trillion) by 2016. Simultaneously, the per capita income also nearly

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trebled during these years. India‟s trade and external sector had a significant impact on the GDP growth as well
as expansion in per capita income.
Total merchandise exports from India grew by 4.48 per cent year-on-year to US$ 25.83 billion in February
2018, while merchandise trade deficit increased 25.81 per cent year-on-year from US $ 11.979 billion during
April-February 2017-18 to US $ 9.521 billion during April-February 2017-18, according to data from the
Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
According to Mr Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Commerce and Industry, the Government of India is keen to grow
exports and provide more jobs for the young, talented, well-educated and even semi-skilled and unskilled
workforce of India.
Capital Inflows
According to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India's foreign exchange reserves were US$
421.335 billion as on March 16, 2018.
Foreign Direct Investments (FDI)
During April 2000–December 2017, India received total foreign investment (including equity inflows, re-
invested earnings and other capital) worth US$ 532.6 billion. The country was one of the top destinations for
FDI inflows from Asian countries, with Mauritius contributing 34 per cent, Singapore 17 per cent and Japan and
UK contributing 7 per cent each of the total foreign inflows.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)
FIIs net investments in Indian equities, debt and hybrid stood at Rs 145,068 crores (US$ 22.34 billion) in 2017-
18.
External Sector
India‟s external sector has a bright future as global trade is expected to grow at 4 per cent in 2018 from 2.4 per
cent in 2016.
Bilateral trade between India and Ghana is rising exponentially and is expected to grow from US$ 3 billion to
US$ 5 billion over the coming three years, stated Mr Aaron Mike Oquaye Junior, Ghana's Ambassador to India.
India has revised its proposal on trade facilitation for services (TFS) at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
and has issued a new draft, with the contents being more meaningful and acceptable to other member countries.
Indian exports of merchandise shipments is expected to reach US$ 325 billion in 2017-18, compared to US$ 275
billion in 2016-17, as per Mr Ganesh Kumar Gupta, President, Federation of Indian Export Organisations
(FIEO).
The Union Cabinet, Government of India, has approved the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM).
The Goods and Services Network (GSTN) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mr Ajay K
Bhalla, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), to share realised foreign exchange and import-export code
data, process export transactions of taxpayers under goods and services tax (GST) more efficiently, increase
transparency and reduce human interface.

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In March 2017, the Union Cabinet approved the signing of the customs convention on the international transport
of goods, Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) making India the 71st signatory to the treaty, which will
enable the movement of goods throughout these countries in Asia and Europe and will allow the country to take
full benefit of the International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC).
Mr Richard Verma, the United States Ambassador to India, has verified that India-US relations across trade,
defence and social ties will be among the top priorities of the newly elected US President Mr Donald Trump's
administration.

II. INDIA’S EXPORT PERFORMANCE

In IMF‟s World Economic Outlook (January 19, 2016) India and the rest of emerging Asia are generally
projected to continue growing at a robust pace. As per Economic Survey 2015-16, the projected growth rate of
GDP for the year 2015-16 is likely to be between 7% to 7.6%. There is unusual volatility in the international
economic environment.
Markets have begun to swing on fears that the global recovery may be faltering, while risks of extreme events
are rising. Amidst this gloomy landscape, India stands out as a haven of stability and an outpost of opportunity.
Its macro-economy is stable, founded on the government‟s commitment to fiscal consolidation and low
inflation. Its economic growth is amongst the highest in the world, helped by a reorientation of government
spending toward needed public infrastructure. These achievements are remarkable not least because they have
been accomplished in the face of global headwinds and a second successive season of poor rainfall. As per the
current rankings for the year 2014, India is the 19th largest exporter (with a share of 1.7%) and 12th largest
importer (with a share of 2.4%) of merchandise trade in the world. In Commercial Services Exports, India is the
8th largest exporter in 2014 (with a share of 3.2%). In imports of commercial services India ranks 10th (with a
share of 2.6%). India‟s merchandise exports for the year 2014-15 stood at US $ 310.33 billion as against US $
314.40 billion in 201314 registering a negative growth of 1.29%, while imports in 2014-15 came down to US $
448.03 billion from US $ 450.20 billion in 2013-14 registering a negative growth of 0.48%. The Trade deficit
in 2014-15stood at US $ 137.69 billion. Exports during January, 2016 were valued at US$ 21.1 billion which
was 13.60 per cent lower in Dollar terms than the level of US$ 24.4 billion during January, 2015. Cumulative
value of exports for the period April-January 2015-16 was US$ 217.7 billion as against US$ 264.3 billion
registering a negative growth of 17.65 per cent in Dollar terms over the same period last year. Non-petroleum
exports in January 2016 are valued at US$ 19.1 billion against US$ 21.4 billion in January 2015, a reduction of
10.55%. Non-petroleum exports during April to January 2016 are valued at US$ 192.4 billion as compared to
US$ 212.7 billion for the corresponding period in 2015, a reduction of 9.6%.
Oil imports during January, 2016 were valued at US$ 5.0 billion which was 39.01 per cent lower than oil
imports valued at US$ 8.2 billion in the corresponding period last year. Oil imports during April-January, 2015-
16 were valued at US$ 73.1 billion which was 41.43 per cent lower than the oil imports of US$ 124.8 billion in
the corresponding period last year. The trend of falling exports is in tandem with other major world economies.

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The growth in exports have fallen for USA (10.51%), European Union (9.48%) and China (7.01%) for
November 2015 over the corresponding period previous year as per WTO statistics.

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III. TRADE POLICY MEASURES FOR BOOSTING EXPORTS
A new FTP for the period 2015-20 was announced on 1 April 2015, with a focus on supporting both
manufacturing and services exports and improving the „Ease of Doing Business‟. It aims to increase India‟s
exports to US$900 billion by 2019-20. It also provides the road map adopted by the government to improving
the „Ease of Doing Business‟.
 The government has reduced the number of mandatory documents required for exports and imports to
three each, which is comparable with international benchmarks. The trade community can file
applications online for various trade-related schemes. Online payment of application fees through
credit/debit cards and electronic funds transfer from 53 banks has been put in place.
 Customs Single Window Initiative: The Union Budget 2014-15 announced an Indian Customs Single
Window Project to facilitate trade. This project envisages that importers and exporters will
electronically submit their customs clearance documents at a single point with customs. Any
permissions required from other regulatory agencies (such as animal quarantine, plant quarantine, drug
controller and textile committee) could be obtained online without the importer / exporter having to
separately approach these agencies. The single window will thus provide importers / exporters a single
point interface for customs clearance of import and export goods, thereby reducing personal interface
with governmental agencies, dwell time and cost of doing business. With effect from 1 April 2015, an
electronic exchange facility has been established between customs and the Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI), the Department of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (PQIS) at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) (Nhava Sheva), inland container depot (ICD), Tughlakabad and
ICD, Patparganj, for online message exchange, including no objection certificates (NOC) with/from
these agencies. Other regulatory agencies such as animal quarantine, the textile committee, the drug
controller of India and wildlife authorities are also being brought within the ambit of single window
customs clearance.
 24x7 Customs Clearance: With effect from 31 December 2014, the facility of 24x7 customs clearance
for specified imports, namely goods covered under 'facilitated' bills of entry, and specified exports,
namely factory stuffed containers and goods exported under free shipping bills, have been made
available at 18 seaports. Similarly, the facility of 24x7 customs clearance for specified imports, namely
goods covered by facilitated bills of entry and all exports, namely goods covered by all shipping bills
has been extended at 17 air cargo complexes. This will help in faster clearance of such import and
export goods, reduce dwell time and lower the transaction cost.
 One of the major objectives of the new FTP is to move towards a paperless 24x7 working environment.
 A new facility has been created to upload documents in exporter/importer profile so that exporters are
not required to submit documents repeatedly.
 Attention has also been paid to simplifying various „aayat niryat‟ forms, bringing in clarity in different
provisions, removing ambiguities and enhancing electronic governance.

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 The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has launched a new-look website, making it more
user-friendly and easy to navigate. The DGFT website has a large dynamic component whereby the
trade community can file applications online for importer exporter code (IEC) and various other
schemes of the DGFT. Exporters can also see the status of their electronic bank realization certificates
almost in real time.
 The website is rich in content with all documents related to FTP along with a responsive online
grievance redressal system.
 The DGFT launched a „DGFT‟ mobile application in June 2015. The application allows
exporters/importers to access foreign trade policy and other related documents in an easy-to-use
searchable format and check status of transmission of various authorizations and shipping bills, etc.
 Training/Outreach Programmes for Exporters:
The Niryat Bandhu Scheme has been galvanized to achieve the objectives of Skill India. Outreach activities are
being organized at MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) clusters with the help of export promotion
councils (EPCs) and other willing „industry partners‟ and „knowledge partners‟.
More than 20,000 entrepreneurs have been given exposure by DGFT regional offices under the Niryat Bandhu
Scheme. In September 2015, the DGFT in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has
launched „Niryat Bandhu at Your Desktop‟, an online certificate programme in export import business. The
programme has elicited very good response. Four programmes have been completed.
 An ambitious outreach programme has been launched by the Department of Commerce (DoC) for
exporters located in the major export clusters/cities. The programme focuses on:
Training exporters to utilize free trade agreements (FTA).
Taking inputs from exporters on FTAs under negotiation, for example the Regional Comprehensive Economic
Policy (RCEP).
Promoting awareness about the contents of the www:indiantradeportal.in launched by the DoC.
Other Important Measures
 A Council for Trade Development and Promotion has been constituted in July 2015 to ensure
continuous dialogue with the governments of states/ union territories (UT) on measures for providing
an international trade-enabling environment and for making the states active partners in boosting
India‟s exports. The first meeting of the council was held on 8 January 2016.
 The state / UT governments have been requested to develop their export strategy, appoint export
commissioners, address infrastructure constraints restricting movement of goods, facilitate refund of
value-added tax (VAT) / octroy / state-level cess, address other issues relating to various clearances
and build capacity of new exporters in order to promote exports. States and UTs have also been issued
user-ids and passwords to facilitate access to the foreign trade database maintained by the Directorate
General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics (DGCI&S) to extract the export data relating to their
states.

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IV. ENHANCEMENT OF EXPORT MEASURES DURING MID-TIME REVIEW OF FTP
(2015-2020)

 In the Mid-Term Review of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry has enhanced the scope of Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) and Service
Exports from India Scheme (SEIS), increased MEIS incentive raised for ready-made garments and
made- ups by 2 per cent, raised SEIS incentive by 2 per cent and increased the validity of Duty Credit
Scrips from 18 months to 24 months. All export and import-related activities are governed by the
Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), which is aimed at enhancing the country's exports and use trade expansion
as an effective instrument of economic growth and employment generation.
 The Department of Commerce has announced increased support for export of various products and
included some additional items under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) in order to
help exporters to overcome the challenges faced by them.
 The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has developed an 'integrated declaration' process
leading to the creation of a single window which will provide the importers and exporters a single point
interface for customs clearance of import and export goods.
 As part of the FTP strategy of market expansion, India has signed a Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement with South Korea which will provide enhanced market access to Indian exports.
These trade agreements are in line with India‟s Look East Policy. To upgrade export sector
infrastructure, „Towns of Export Excellence‟ and units located therein will be granted additional
focused support and incentives.
 RBI has simplified the rules for credit to exporters, through which they can now get long-term advance
from banks for up to 10 years to service their contracts. This measure will help exporters get into long-
term contracts while aiding the overall export performance.
 The Government of India is expected to announce an interest subsidy scheme for exporters in order to
boost exports and explore new markets.

V. IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY

The Exim policy”2015-2020” has expected to double the share of India in world trade from present level of 3%
by the year 2020. Simplifying the existing multiple schemes, the new policy has come up with new schemes
MEIS and SEIS that reduces the complexities and encourage the entrepreneur. Similarly use of technology to
perform the compliance reduces the transaction cost and manual errors.
This policy has also focused moving away from reliance on subsidies. By extending benefits under EPCG on
domestic procurement and offering them new products under MEIS, the policy further seeks to incentive the
exports.

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Generation of new employment and providing quality products at reasonable prices to consumers are expected
to be delivered by the policy. In short EXIM policy boosts productivity and earn exportable surplus at
competitive rates in export.

VI. CONCLUSION
India is currently known as one of the most important players in the global economic background. The
technological and infrastructural developments being carried out throughout the country augur well for the trade
and economic sector in the years to come.
The EXIM Policy “2015-2020” is highly exemplary as it emphasises on developing export potential, creating
favourable balance of BOP resolving high quality complaints and trade disputes.
By implementing the FTP 2014-19, by 2020, India's share in world trade is expected to double from the present
level of three per cent.

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