<h1>Indian Government Cuts Customs Duties on Machinery and Materials; Increases Export Duty on Chromium Ore to 30% Ad Valorem.</h1> The Indian government announced a reduction in customs duties on imported plant and machinery for iron ore pellet and beneficiation plants from 7.5% to 2.5% as part of the 2012-13 Union Budget. Additionally, customs duties on coating material for electrical steel manufacturing were reduced from 7.5% to 5%, and duties on nickel ore and related compounds were removed. Export duty on chromium ore increased to 30% ad valorem. Other sectors, including textiles and steel, received various duty exemptions, such as full exemption for automatic shuttle-less looms and silk processing machinery, as well as on waste paper and components for electronic devices.