PIB current affairs (6-7 january 2019), most important for ias/ukpsc

Export of Organic Products

Ministry of Commerce & Industry has implemented the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) since 2001 with the following objectives:

1. To provide the means of evaluation of certification programme for organic agriculture and products (including wild harvest, aquaculture, livestock products) as per the approved criteria.
2. To accredit certification programmes of Certification Bodies seeking accreditation.
3. To facilitate certification of organic products in conformity with the prescribed standards.
4. To facilitate certification of organic products in conformity with the importing countries organic standards as per equivalence agreement between the two countries or as per importing country requirements.
5. To encourage the development of organic farming and organic processing.

Currently, 29 Certification Bodies are accredited for carrying out inspection and certification for process certification of organic products for exports from the country.
The promotion of exports of organic products is a continuous process. The newly introduced Agriculture Export Policy provides an assurance that no restrictions will be placed on export of organic products. The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of Department of Commerce, has been mandated with the export promotion of organic products. APEDA provides assistance to the exporters of organic products under various components of its export promotion scheme.

Export of Herbs and Herbal Products

The total world herbal trade is currently assessed at USD 120 billion. India’s share in the global export of herbs and herbal products is low due to the following reasons:

1. Inadequate Agricultural practices.
2. Inadequate Quality Control procedure.
3. Lack of large scale Organic Cultivation.
4. Lack of Processing and R&D.
5. Lack of Standardization in Products, Processes and Services.
6. Lack of regulatory framework in trade of Medicinal Plants.

The export of herbs and value-added extracts of medicinal herbs are gradually increasing over the years. India exported USD 330.18 Million worth of Herbs during 2017-18 with a growth rate of 14.22% over the previous year. Also, the export of value-added extracts of medicinal herbs / herbal products during 2017-18 stood at USD 456.12 Million recording a growth rate of 12.23% over the previous year.

Export of Herbs and Herbal Products for last three years and the current year in value:

Value in USD Million

The demand for herbal/value added extracts of medicinal herbs is gradually increasing in foreign countries, especially in European and other developed countries.

In order to promote India’s exports, the Government has taken several measures:

1. Department of Commerce has set up Export Promotion Councils for promoting exports of various product groups / sectors. The mandate of export promotion of Herbs and Medicinal Plants has been assigned to Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), headquartered at Kolkata. The export promotion of several Herbal Products has been assigned to Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (PHARMEXCIL), besides others. These EPCs facilitate the exporting community and undertake various export promotional measures for promotion of export of their products.
2. Under Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme of the Department of Commerce, the EPCs / Trade Bodies are provided financial assistance for participation and organizing Trade Fairs, Buyer Seller Meets (BSMs), Reverse Buyer Seller Meets (RBSMs), Research & Product Development, Market Studies, etc.
3. Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) provides incentives to the exporting community for specified goods so as to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and the associated costs of exporting products produced in India, giving special emphasis to those which are of India’s export interest and have the capability to generate employment and enhance India’s competitiveness in the world market.
4. ‘Niryat Bandhu Scheme’ has been galvanised and repositioned to achieve the objectives of ‘Skill India’ and trade promotion/awareness.
5. International Cooperation Scheme of Ayush Ministry provides financial assistance to the exporters for the participation in Trade Fairs, organising International Business Meets & Conferences and product registration reimbursements.
6. The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has launched a “Voluntary Certification Scheme for Medicinal Plants Produce (VCSMPP)” on 22^nd November, 2017 in order to encourage the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Field Collection Practices (GFCPs) in medicinal plants. The VCSMPP will enhance the availability of the certified quality medicinal plants raw material in the country and also boost their export and increase India’s share in the global export of herbs.
7. Ministry of Ayush through its Quality Certification programme like Ayush mark and Premium mark is also assisting industry in setting up of quality standards.
8. Ministry of Ayush has entered into MoUs with few countries for promotion of traditional medicine which will help exports in long run.

Issues at WTO

United States has been blocking the appointment of members of the WTO Appellate Body on some systemic and procedural issues. About 1/4^th of the 164 WTO members, including India, have expressed concerns on the matter at every relevant WTO meeting. Further, India along with EU and 12 other countries have submitted a communication to the WTO General Council for addressing the issues raised by United States on functioning and operations of Dispute Settlement Body, including appointment of Appellate Body members.

India has 7 disputes at WTO which are at different stages of settlement. India is defending its interest in these disputes with the help of experienced Law Firms.

1. DS430 – Import of poultry and poultry products from United States, Complainant: India,
2. DS436 – Countervailing duty by United States on Indian steel products, Complainant: India,
3. DS456 – National Solar Mission dispute with United States, Complainant: United States,
4. DS510 – United States’ Sub-Federal Renewable energy programme, Complainant: India,
5. DS518 – India-certain Measures on imports of iron and steel products from Japan, Complainant: Japan,
6. DS541 – Export Subsidies measures of India, Complainant: United States,
7. DS-547 – United States-Certain measures of Unites States on steel and aluminium products, Complainant: India.

Credit Guarantee Fund for Start-UPS

The Government is planning to set up a Credit Guarantee Fund (CGF) for encouraging start-up companies with a view to providing funding facilities in the country. The scheme has yet to be made operational.

Incentives being provided to Startups under Startup India initiative are:

1. Self-Certification under 6 Labour Laws & 3 Environmental Laws
2. Relaxations in Public Procurement Norms
3. Faster exit under the Bankruptcy Code
4. Rebates on Patent & Trademark filing fees, support from facilitators and expedited examination of Patent application
5. Income Tax exemption
6. Exemption from Income Tax on investments received above fair market value
7. Funding support under the Fund of Funds for Startups
8. Guidance and facilitation support from Startup India Hub

Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion hosted Startup India Global Venture Capital Summit 2018 on 7^th December 2018 in Goa.

It was a gathering of global fund managers, limited partners, officials from the Government of India and innovative startups. The dialogue focused on the huge return-generating potential of India’s vast and diverse market monetized through cutting-edge technologies supported by investor-friendly regulations. The objectives of the Summit were:

1. Showcasing the opportunities in India by discussing and highlighting sectors that provide a wide array of investible opportunities
2. Increasing capital flow for Indian startups by showcasing high quality tech & non tech Indian startups to the global investor community
3. Fostering ease of doing business by Identifying and discussing issues raised by investor community