Zero duty EPCG scheme under the foreign trade policy supports surge in engineering goods exports despite pandemic-driven disruption.
The Zero duty Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme under the Foreign Trade Policy permits import of capital goods (including CKD/SKD and software systems) at zero customs duty, subject to an export obligation equal to six times the duty saved, to be fulfilled within six years from authorization issue; the FTP 2015-20 was extended through 2021-22 to provide policy stability during the pandemic and sustain EPCG-driven export growth in the engineering goods sector.

Food safety management systems enable certification-led gherkin export growth, supporting market access and value added processing.
India leads global exports of pickling cucumber/gherkins, exporting under two product categories to major markets. APEDA, under Department of Commerce directions, has promoted infrastructure development, international product promotion and implementation of food safety management systems in processing units. Exporting companies hold international certifications (ISO, BRC, IFS, FSSC 22000, HACCP) and many conduct social audits; APEDA provides financial assistance for infrastructure, quality enhancement and market promotion to increase export value and compliance with buyer specifications.

Regulatory reform signals incentives and simplified compliance to boost private investment and job creating manufacturing growth.
The Minister urged industry to take greater risk and invest in labour intensive manufacturing to create jobs, stressing partnerships between industry associations and government to attract business and strengthen domestic value chains. He set out three expectations: propose ideas on trade access and FTAs; reduce compliance through digitisation, legal simplification, decriminalisation and use of the National Single Window System; and build supply chain self reliance by integrating MSMEs. The address highlighted replicating PLI successes, recent sectoral reforms to liberalise FDI and improve facilitation, and administrative assurances on pending technology fund releases and export duty relief.

Startup growth via policy reforms aims to catalyse unicorn creation and deep-tech adoption across domestic and global markets.
The statement encourages accelerated startup growth by promoting Deep Tech adoption and supportive policy measures-removal of angel tax barriers, tax simplification with self certification, large compliance reductions and decriminalization-to improve the business environment. It emphasises digital public infrastructure as an enabler of access and affordability and positions an interoperable open digital commerce network to reduce market concentration and empower smaller enterprises.

Exports target achievable as government pledges support and ease-of-doing-business measures to boost merchandise and services shipments.
Exports target of USD 650 billion for the current financial year is presented as achievable with a merchandise exports aim of USD 400 billion and a services exports aim of USD 250 billion; merchandise exports reached USD 300 billion in the first nine months and recent monthly performance was strong. The Ministry pledges to handhold Export Promotion Councils and industry, resolve issues, and pursue higher targets, while advancing facilitative measures such as clearances via the National Single Window System, engagement in FTA negotiations, and reduction of over 25,000 compliances.

Services export ambition: government pledges support to IT sector to boost high tech exports and tier-two and tier-three hubs.
The Central government commits to supporting the IT sector to accelerate Services exports toward a trillion-dollar objective by promoting high technology products and new services, assisting industry proposals to establish IT hubs in tier two and tier three towns, and tasking the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to provide facilitation and infrastructure support.

Customs seizure of smuggled gold and fake currency prompts arrest and investigation under Customs Act
Customs officers intercepted an arriving passenger, seized gold concealed in baggage and counterfeit currency under the seizure provisions of the Customs Act, and arrested the passenger and an intended receiver under the Act's arrest provisions; investigative agencies were notified and have joined the ongoing probe.

Trade balance widened as imports outpaced exports, increasing the overall external deficit for the reported periods.
India's external trade expanded in December 2021 and over April-December 2021, with combined merchandise and services exports rising year-on-year and imports rising faster, producing a wider overall trade deficit. Merchandise exports and imports both grew substantially, but imports outpaced exports, increasing the merchandise deficit for the month and the cumulative period. Services exports showed modest estimated growth while services imports rose more, contracting the monthly services surplus though the cumulative services surplus increased. December services data are provisional and subject to revision by the Reserve Bank of India.

Free trade agreement negotiations launched to pursue a broad, mutually beneficial pact and explore an interim agreement.
Launch of formal negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom establishes a structured bilateral process to pursue a broad, mutually beneficial trade pact; negotiating teams are designated and rounds of talks are scheduled regularly. Both governments will consider an Interim Agreement to generate early benefits, while the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee will work in parallel to address market access barriers outside the formal FTA process.

Free Trade Agreement negotiations to expand market access and liberalise services, boosting exports and mobility between India and UK
Launch of Free Trade Agreement negotiations between India and the United Kingdom to negotiate a comprehensive bilateral trade pact to create certainty, liberalise services, and address market access barriers. Negotiations will prioritise export growth in labour intensive and processed agricultural sectors, recognition of marine units, Mutual Recognition Agreements for pharmaceuticals, and expanded access in IT/ITES, healthcare, education, AYUSH and audio visual services, alongside special arrangements for movement of people and exploration of an Interim Agreement to secure early benefits while pursuing a comprehensive FTA.

USDA approval for Indian mango exports enables seasonal shipments under a joint irradiation protocol and phased preclearance transfer.
The Central Government secured USDA approval to resume Indian mango exports to the US under a joint irradiation protocol and a phased transfer of preclearance oversight to India. The bilateral framework enables seasonal shipments of Alphonso and other varieties, reopens traditional production belts and expands opportunities for additional regional varieties, while aligning pomegranate exports and reciprocal imports of cherries and alfalfa hay under the agreed work plan to ensure phytosanitary compliance.

Bilateral trade negotiations to address trade deficit, market access and non-tariff barriers and to advance equitable commerce.
Bilateral trade negotiations between India and the Republic of Korea focus on the trade deficit, market access constraints and non-tariff barriers affecting exporters, and will include investment-related matters as part of efforts to rebalance and facilitate equitable bilateral commerce.

Business continuity measures ensure unobstructed movement of goods; helpdesks coordinate trade disruption resolutions during pandemic.
DPIIT and DGFT have established help desks and control rooms to maintain business continuity for transportation, delivery and distribution of goods and essential commodities during a COVID-19 surge. DPIIT will monitor State/UT restrictions and escalate reported manufacturing, transportation or distribution difficulties to relevant authorities. DGFT's COVID-19 Helpdesk will address import/export licensing, customs clearance, documentation and banking issues, collate trade-related problems involving other agencies, and provide coordination and status tracking through online, email and phone channels.

Agri-export hub development expands export facilitation and institutional support, strengthening quarantine, customs clearance and capacity building.
APEDA has established the Varanasi Agri Export Hub by identifying target districts and implementing export facilitation measures-quarantine and customs clearance at the regional airport, capacity building and buyer-seller meetings-to enable Farmer Producer Organizations and producer companies to access international markets, while approving IT, quality profiling and value addition projects and considering AI monitoring and geographic replication.

Customs cooperation enables bilateral information sharing to prevent and investigate customs offences and facilitate legitimate trade.
Approval of an agreement establishing Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters between India and Spain to provide a legal framework for bilateral exchange of reliable, timely information and documentary verification to support correct assessment of customs duties (including valuation, tariff classification and origin), authenticate declaration documents, detect and investigate customs offences, and facilitate legitimate trade, with specific cooperation on illicit movement of arms, cultural artifacts, toxic substances, high duty goods, and new methods of committing customs offences.

Export diversification for honey: expanding markets and strengthening quality controls to reduce single market reliance.
APEDA is implementing an export-promotion strategy for natural honey focused on export diversification, quality assurance, and value chain support. Working with state governments, farmers and other stakeholders, APEDA seeks to reduce dependence on a single market by expanding to new regions, renegotiating duty structures, facilitating market access, and promoting quality certification and laboratory testing while addressing freight, container and testing cost challenges.

Customs undervaluation: undisclosed royalties excluded from transaction value trigger duty recovery action.
Alleged omission of royalty and licence fee payments from declared transaction value resulted in undervaluation of imported mobile phones, parts and components; documentary evidence and statements indicate such payments were contractual but not added to assessable value, invoking Section 14 and Customs Valuation Rules and leading to show cause notices seeking duty recovery for the investigation period.

Merchandise export growth reached highest monthly level, indicating broad-based recovery and increased import-led trade activity.
India's merchandise exports in December 2021 reached a record monthly high with strong year on year growth, and cumulative April-December exports also rose markedly; imports increased substantially in the same periods, driven by petroleum and other major commodity groups, resulting in a widened merchandise trade deficit. Detailed tables show positive growth in non petroleum and non petroleum non gems & jewellery exports and notable increases in corresponding import categories, with top contributors and sectoral composition provided for both exports and imports.