Lok Sabha Question No. 944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Trade with Neighbouring Countries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Balak Nath, Manoj Rajoria, Ranjeeta Koli, Sumedhanand Saraswati

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 944 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 TH  FEBRUARY,2023

## TRADE WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

944.    SHRI BALAK NATH: DR. MANOJ RAJORIA: SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI: SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the trade done with the neighbouring countries during the last five years and the current financial year;
- (b) the nation-wise details of the agreements signed with the neighbouring countries to develop trade relations during the said period;
- (c) the efforts made by the Government with the neighbouring countries to promote export in various sectors during the said period; and
- (d) the nation-wise details of the import and export made in various sectors during the last five years and the current financial year?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a)& (d): The details of the trade done with the neighbouring countries during the last five years and the current financial year are at Annexure.

- (b): No agreement has been signed with the neighbouring countries during the said period.
- (c): The Government continues to engage pro-actively with SAARC countries 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.

Government has set up Border Haats at India- Bangladesh border to promote marketing of the local produce through local markets. Issues relating to improvement of trade infrastructure in the form of upgradation of Land Custom Stations are also being coordinated between the concerned states and the neighbouring countries.

Further, assistance is provided under Market Access Initiatives (MAI) scheme to Indian exporters, Export Promotion Councils, Apex Trade Bodies etc for participation in events in foreign countries including countries in neighbourhood.

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## Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) and part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No . 944 for answer on 08 . 02 . 2023.

## Details of trade done with Neighbouring Countries during last Five Years

(Values in US $ million)

| S.no   | Name of countries   | 2017-2018   | 2018-2019   | 2019-2020   | 2020-2021   | 2021-2022    | Apr-Dec 2022   |
|--------|---------------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|--------------|----------------|
| 1      | Afghanistan         | 1,143.53    | 1,150.89    | 1,527.42    | 1,335.27    | 1,065.40     | 647.59         |
| 2      | Bhutan              | 924.11      | 1,028.29    | 1,144.33    | 1,134.02    | 1,430.84     | 1,160.12       |
| 3      | Bangladesh          | 9,299.99    | 10,254.86   | 9,465.49    | 10,783.22   | 18,134.30    | 10,355         |
| 4      | Nepal               | 7,051.34    | 8,274.34    | 7,871.95    | 7,511.62    | 11,016.79    | 6755.25        |
| 5      | Sri- Lanka          | 5,249.09    | 6,198.60    | 4,704.61    | 4,141.17    | 6,812.16     | 4,837.12       |
| 6      | Pakistan            | 2,412.83    | 2,561.44    | 830.58      | 329.26      | 516.36       | 1355.48        |
| 7      | China               | 89,714.23   | 87,071.84   | 81,873.50   | 86,399.40   | 1,15,830.36  | 86879.65       |
| 8      | Myanmar             | 1,605.84    | 1,727.10    | 1,521.13    | 1,299.35    | 1,894.90     | 1245.71        |
|        | India's Total Trade | 7,69,107.15 | 8,44,156.51 | 7,88,070.32 | 6,86,244.36 | 10,35,056.45 | 8,84,462.41    |

(Source:DGCIS)