Spice Farmers Producer Companies to aggregate growers and link them with buyers, processors and export markets.
Establishment of Spice Farmers Producer Companies (SFPCs) will aggregate small and marginal spice growers in Arunachal Pradesh and create direct market linkages with exporters, processors and institutional buyers. Central agencies including the Spices Board, APEDA, SFAC, MDONER and NEC will collaborate with the State to form SFPCs, build common infrastructure (warehousing, primary processing, value addition), encourage visits to model Spices Park facilities, pursue Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme proposals via PPP, and promote authentic and umbrella organic certification for grower groups.

Foreign direct investment approvals and deferrals announced, with one major pharmaceutical acquisition referred to higher authority for clearance.
Government action on foreign direct investment proposals includes approval of six proposals across pharmaceuticals, publishing, manufacturing and wholesale trading; recommendation of one major pharmaceutical acquisition to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for CCEA clearance; deferment of eleven proposals pending further consideration (covering telecom, amalgamation, post-facto regularisation and sectoral compliance issues); rejection of five proposals that did not meet approval criteria; and a finding that three proposals do not lie before the FIPB.

Enhanced IMF surveillance urged to address global financial vulnerabilities and quota realignment to reflect emerging economies' weight.
Calls for enhanced IMF surveillance and expedited completion of the 15th General Review of Quotas, urging that the Fund remain quota based with increased permanent resources to reduce reliance on borrowed funds. The summary supports reforms of the IMF lending toolkit to better address EMDE needs, including prequalified state dependent lending, co financing with regional arrangements, and improved integration of the Global Financial Safety Net for credible crisis prevention and swift liquidity provision.

Trade balance improves as services surplus helps offset larger import growth, despite strong export gains.
India's March 2017 trade release shows strong year on year growth in merchandise exports, larger monthly increases in merchandise imports, a March surge in oil imports and higher non oil imports, while services recorded a monthly surplus that reduced the overall April-March 2016-17 trade deficit when combined with merchandise trade.

Target Plus Scheme enforcement restores original FTP claim processing for eligible exporters and prevents retrospective benefit denial.
Implementation of the Target Plus Scheme (TPS) under FTP 2004-09 is approved to effect the court's decision: claims denied by a retrospective notification will be settled and benefits extended to eligible applicant exporters as per the originally notified TPS provisions for 2005-06 and FTP 2004-09; claims will be considered up to the dates of Notification No. 48 (20.02.2006) and Notification No. 8 (12.06.2006); DGFT HQs will formulate processing guidelines with the Department of Revenue within one year.

Export promotion assistance strengthens export infrastructure and quality support for agricultural and processed food exporters nationwide.
APEDA and Department of Commerce export-promotion schemes provide financial and programmatic assistance across Infrastructure Development, Market Promotion, Quality Development and Transport Assistance to support exporters of agricultural and processed food products; benefits to small and marginal farmers are indirect. Eligibility covers exporters from all States, and APEDA has funded state agencies in Rajasthan to establish common export infrastructure, including pack houses and a laboratory cum research centre for guar gum and agro-products testing, to strengthen post-harvest handling, testing and consolidation for exports.

Regulatory measures for gems and jewellery: SNZs, separate HS code for lab grown diamonds, and export facilitation measures.
The Government implemented regulatory and policy measures to strengthen gems and jewellery exports: establishment of Special Notified Zones; a separate ITC HS Code for lab grown diamonds; the Gold Monetisation Scheme; amendment of wastage and value addition norms; approval of Common Facility Centres; and financial assistance for international promotion under Market Development Assistance and Market Access Initiative schemes to enhance export competitiveness and industry infrastructure.

Joint Feasibility Study on an FTA examines scope and sector sensitivities to prepare for potential negotiations.
A Joint Feasibility Study Group has been established, co led by officials of India and Georgia, to examine the scope of a potential Free Trade Agreement, analyse sectoral sensitivities, and recommend ways to address them; on completion of the Study and subject to internal approvals and negotiation mandates the parties may proceed to FTA negotiations.

Indirect tax collections rose in FY 2016-17, exceeding revised estimates and increasing across excise, service tax and customs.
Indirect tax collections for Financial Year 2016-17 increased significantly and exceeded the Revised Estimates by about 101.35%. Net collections are reported separately for each head: Central Excise showed the largest year on year growth, Service Tax registered substantial expansion, and Customs collections rose at a more moderate rate, with the press release comparing net tax collections in FY 2016-17 to the previous financial year.

NPOP certification requirement: certified organic products only exportable when accredited under national programme; export statistics reported.
The export of organic products requires mandatory NPOP certification by an accredited certification body under the National Programme for Organic Production, applied to producers, processors, traders, grower groups and wild collection operators. The government reports export volumes and values for certified organic products, maintains statewise export breakdowns, counts of certified operators, and notes that biodynamic products certified to private international standards are not included in maintained export data.

Redevelopment approval for a major integrated exhibition convention centre and parallel expansion of trade facilitation infrastructure.
Approval was granted for redevelopment of Pragati Maidan into an Integrated Exhibition cum Convention Centre with major exhibition, convention, parking and administration facilities. ITPO has authorised state joint venture expansions in Chennai and Bengaluru and proposed a joint venture with KINFRA at Kochi; land transfer has facilitated a separate ECC at Dwarka. IITF 2016 introduced e governance measures including online stall booking and ticketing, POS deployment, bank and e wallet tie ups, and ATM provision to support cashless transactions. Brand India Engineering and an e catalogue were advanced to promote engineering exports.

Exchange Rate Notification sets foreign currency conversion rates for import and export valuation under customs law.
Determination of foreign currency conversion rates under section 14 of the Customs Act fixes distinct rates for imported and export goods effective 7th April, 2017, superseding the earlier notification; Schedule I lists per unit rates and Schedule II lists per one hundred unit rates for the specified foreign currencies for customs valuation.

Trade deficit management: measures to boost exports via new trade policy incentives and procedural facilitation to improve bilateral balance.
The document identifies the bilateral trade deficit with China as a key concern and records a joint policy commitment under the Five-Year Development Program to pursue balanced trade and increase services trade. To support export growth, the Government of India relies on the Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) and associated instruments-MEIS and SEIS incentives, increased MEIS coverage, a Special Advance Authorisation Scheme for apparel inputs, and trade facilitation measures including reduced documentation and online filing-to enhance export competitiveness and narrow the trade gap.

Free trade agreement negotiations could expand textile trade; government boosts competitiveness through sector-specific schemes and market access measures.
Negotiation of a Broad-based Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) with the EU and a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA are positioned to increase trade and investment flows in textiles. To bolster export competitiveness the Government has implemented sector-specific packages and multiple schemes, including technology upgradation, integrated textile parks, skill development, rebate and duty-drawback mechanisms, interest rate subvention for export credit, market access and market development assistance, and duty-free import concessions for specified inputs.

Appointment of Revenue Board Chair: senior customs officer assumes charge following predecessor's superannuation, bringing extensive service experience.
Appointment of the Chairman of the Central Board of Excise and Customs by a senior customs and central excise officer assuming charge on the superannuation of the incumbent, placing responsibility for customs, central excise and related revenue functions with an experienced career official who has occupied senior enforcement, training and vigilance roles.