Lok Sabha Question No. 700 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Trade with Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU, KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 700 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  NOVEMBER, 2016

## TRADE WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

## 700.   SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU: SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाͨणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of total trade of India with the neighbouring countries including Nepal during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  received  proposals  from  the  neighbouring  countries  for bilateral trade and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon;
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  trade  with  neighbouring  countries especially with Nepal and the achievements thereof; and
- (d) the extent to which these steps have contributed to strengthening the Indian economy?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) :  The  details  of  total  trade  of  India  with  the  neighbouring  countries, including  Nepal,  during  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year  (up  to August, 2016) are given below:

Value in US$ Million

| S.No.   | Country         | 2013-2014   | 2013-2014   | 2014-2015   | 2014-2015   | 2015-2016   | 2015-2016   | 2016-17(Apr-Aug)   | 2016-17(Apr-Aug)   |
|---------|-----------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| S.No.   | Country         | Exports     | Imports     | Exports     | Imports     | Exports     | Imports     | Exports            | Imports            |
| 1       | AFGHANISTAN TIS | 474.34      | 208.77      | 422.56      | 261.91      | 526.6       | 307.9       | 208.95             | 73.01              |
| 2       | BANGLADESH PR   | 6,166.97    | 484.34      | 6,451.48    | 621.37      | 6,034.95    | 727.15      | 2,294.32           | 308.74             |
| 3       | BHUTAN          | 355.6       | 152.17      | 333.94      | 149.87      | 468.95      | 281.27      | 216.7              | 62.18              |
| 4       | MALDIVES        | 106.07      | 3.97        | 152.38      | 4.32        | 179.04      | 4.29        | 72.85              | 4.7                |
| 5       | NEPAL           | 3,592.30    | 529.93      | 4,558.77    | 639.91      | 3,930.09    | 470.59      | 1,983.70           | 173.25             |
| 6       | PAKISTAN IR     | 2,274.30    | 426.88      | 1,857.29    | 497.31      | 2,171.16    | 441.03      | 633.34             | 187.56             |
| 7       | SRI LANKA DSR   | 4,534.35    | 666.93      | 6,703.72    | 756.17      | 5,309.53    | 742.79      | 1,536.13           | 234.39             |
|         | Total           | 17,503.92   | 2,472.98    | 20,480.14   | 2,930.85    | 18,620.32   | 2,975.01    | 6945.99            | 1043.83            |

Source: DGCI&S Database

- (b) and  (c):    The  Government  continues  to  engage  proactively  with  SAARC countries,  including  Nepal,  to  strengthen  trade  and  economic  relations. Issues impacting bilateral trade, raised by these countries, are taken up for

an  early  resolution.  Bilateral  and  multilateral  trade  discussions  are  held with these  countries  from time to time to  explore  mechanisms  for enhancement of cross border trade. Issues  relating  to  improvement  of  trade  infrastructure  in  the  form  of upgradation of Land Customs Stations are also coordinated. Further,  assistance  is  provided  under  Market  Access  Initiative(MAI)  and Market  Development  Assistance(MDA)  schemes  to  Indian  exporters, Export  Promotion  Councils,  Apex  Trade  Bodies  etc.  for  participation  in events in foreign countries, including Nepal. d)  The share  of India's  exports to the SAARC countries vis-a-vis India's total  exports  has  increased  from  5.57%  in  2013-14  to6.42%  in  201617(April-August)  and the  share  of  India's  imports  from  the  SAARC countries vis-a-vis India's total imports has increased from 0.55% in 201314 to 0.73% in 2016-17 (April-August), thereby strengthening India's gains

from trade.

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