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Highlights of Foreign Trade Policy

August 31, 2004 15:08 IST

Following are the highlights of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09:

  • A massive push to exports to garner 1.5 per cent of the world share by exporting $150 billion worth of merchandise annually by 2009.
  • FDI permitted up to 100 per cent to establish and develop free trade and warehousing zone, each to have a Rs 100 crore outlay.
  • Vishesh Krishi Upaj Scheme to boost exports of fruits, vegetables, flowers and minor forest produce.
  • Duty-free import of capital goods under EPCG scheme for agriculture sector. Such goods permitted to be installed anywhere in an agri-export zone.
  • Import of seeds, bulbs and tubers liberalised.
  • New Handicraft Special Economic Zone.
  • Handicraft Export Promotion Council authorised to import.
  • Duty-free import of consumables for metals other than gold and platinum upto two per cent of the FoB export value.
  • Import of gold of 18 carat and above allowed under replenishment scheme.
  • Duty-free import of specified items for leather sector raised to five per cent of the FoB value for exports.
  • 'Served from India' scheme to accelerate growth in the export of services.
  • Exporters, who achieve quantum growth, entitled for duty-free credit based on incremental exports higher than general actual target fixed under "Target Plus" scheme.
  • Services' exports expected to touch $150 billion  by the end of this decade.
  • EOUs exempted from service tax.
  • EOUs permitted to retain 100 per cent export earnings.
  • DEPB scheme retained till replaced by a new one.
  • New scheme to categorise star export houses.
  • An exclusive service export promotion council.
  • Pragati Maidan to be state-of-the-art complex.
  • Restrictions on importing secondhand capital goods lifted.
  • Board of Trade to be revamped.
  • Biotechnology parks to be set up.
  • New mechanism for grievance redressal.
  • Special focus initiatives in five areas.
  • Validity of licences of various schemes increased to uniform 24 months.
  • Financial assistance to deserving exporters on recommendation of export promotion councils.

Govt keen to double share in global trade pie



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