Lok Sabha Question No. 65 (STARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Task Force to resolve Trade Barriers
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Prataprao  Jadhav

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *65 ANSWERED ON 07/02/2024

## TASK FORCE TO RESOLVE TRADE BARRIERS

## *65. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

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

- (a) whether it is true that India's exports suffer from barriers such as time taking prior registration requirements and unreasonable domestic standards/rules in many countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has set up a task force to identify and resolve trade barriers being faced by exporters in other countries;
- (c) if  so,  the  manner in which this move will help in providing greater market access to domestic goods in other countries;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  also  considering  to  improve  mutual  recognition  agreements  with different countries to improve the product standards as per the requirements of the importing countries; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and work done in this regard?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  IN  RESPECT  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.65 FOR ANSWER ON 07.02.2024 REGARDING 'TASK FORCE TO RESOLVE TRADE BARRIERS'

(a) As per their legal and trade policies, countries enforce various regulatory measures to ensure the safety and quality of the products placed in their territory. The range and stringency of the requirements, including prior registration, testing and certification may differ from one country to another, depending on their developmental status as well as how evolved their regulatory structures are.  These measures apply  equally  to  both  domestic  manufacturers  and  the  importers.  However,  such  measures  may sometimes act as trade barriers due to various reasons such as gap in the regulatory  frameworks and quality  compliance  requirements  of  the  trade  partners,  lack  of  transparency,  arbitrariness  or  differing interpretation of the rules, improper implementation etc.

(b) to (e) Taking cognizance of the challenges involved in mapping the trade barriers, and to give increased focus, a task force has been setup under Department of Commerce, to identify, categorise and develop tailored strategies for resolution of these identified non-tariff barriers.

Further, the Export Promotion councils, dedicated commodity and territorial divisions within the Ministry  of  Commerce  and  Industry,  also  constantly  monitor  and  keep  track  of  the  emerging  trade barriers and work with stakeholders, through bilateral or plurilateral institutional mechanisms to resolve measures  that  unnecessarily  restrict  trade.    In  India's  Free  Trade  Agreements  (FTAs)  with  Trade Partners,  non-tariff  barriers  are  regularly  discussed  under  available  institutional  frameworks.  Also,  in some  FTAs,  specific  provisions  are  available  for  regulatory  cooperation  and  expediting  regulatory approvals including through Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs). For example India-UAE CEPA and India-Australia ECTA have provision under which expedited regulatory approvals will be granted to Indian  pharmaceuticals  products  meeting  certain  stringent  standards.  Similarly,  in  India-Singapore CECA,  there  are  MRAs  including  recognition  arrangements  on  telecom  products,  pharmaceutical products,  and  on  products  under  the  mandate  of  EIC.  Additionally,  standalone  Memorandum  of Understanding  (MoUs)  are  also  entered  into  between  the  regulatory  authorities  of  India  with  that  of partner countries to promote regulatory convergence.

The resolution  of  trade  barriers  including  ensuring  increased  and  effective  market  access  is  a continuous  process  and  endeavour.  India  also  engages  in  regulatory  cooperation  to  help  ensure  that global rules governing the regulatory structures are favourable and consistent.

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