During the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) announcements on 18th April, 2013, the Union Commerce & Industry Minister Shri Anand Sharma had mentioned that export of High Tech Products would be incentivised and it would be separately notified. In pursuance of this objective, a Task Force was set up under the Chairmanship of Shri Rajiv Kher, Additional Secretary in Department of Commerce (DoC) to study the list of items eligible for such benefit under Focus Product Scheme (FPS). Commerce & Industry Minister Shri Anand Sharma also convened a meeting with leading Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Export Promotion Councils on 1st July, 2013 for inviting suggestions in this regard as also for increasing India’s exports. The Export Promotion Councils and Chambers of Commerce & Industry were asked to submit their suggestions by 5th July, 2013.

The report of the committee and suggestions received from Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Export Promotion Councils have been analysed by Department of Commerce (DoC) and it has been decided to include 158 products under Focus Product Scheme (FPS) for incentive @ 2% of the FOB value of exports. Items from Engineering / Electronics, Chemical and Pharma sector have been covered under this list. Such benefits will be admissible for exports made w.e.f. 15.8.2013. This list is being notified separately by DGFT.

DS/RK

(Release ID :97093)

Focus Product Scheme: High-tech products gain export incentive for eligible shipments, effective from notified export commencement date. Inclusion of specified high-technology items in the Focus Product Scheme provides an export incentive equal to 2% of FOB value for qualifying shipments; a Task Force and stakeholder consultations recommended adding 158 products from engineering, electronics, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, with the incentive applicable from the notified commencement date and implemented via a separate foreign trade notification.