Commerce Min working to remove trade barriers
For domestic products in sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana and Gulf nations to boost India’s exports,
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: The commerce ministry is working to address issues related to non-tariff barriers and market access for domestic products in sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana and Gulf nations to boost India’s exports, an official said.
The official said meetings have been held with Indian missions of the sub-Saharan African countries with which India has significant bilateral trade. The major trading partners of India in that region in 2022-23 were South Africa (total trade $18.9 billion, exports $8.5 billion); Nigeria ($11.85 billion, exports $5.15 billion); Togo ($6.6 billion, exports $6 billion), and Tanzania ($6.5 billion, exports $3.93 billion). The other countries were Mozambique ($5 billion, exports $2.5 billion); Angola ($4.22 billion, exports $621 million); and Kenya ($3.4 billion, exports $3.2 billion). “A virtual meeting with Indian Mission of top 10 countries (bilateral trade-wise) in sub-Saharan African region was held in September to discuss the overall economic and commercial relations with those countries, export performance and non-tariff barriers which are acting as impediments to bilateral trade and enhance exports,” the official said. A similar meeting was also held with Indian Missions in GCC countries. GCC is a union of six countries in the Gulf region -- Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. The council is the largest trading bloc of India. The bilateral trade in 2022-23 with these countries stood at $52.76 billion with Saudi Arabia; $84.8 billion with the UAE; $18.77 billion with Qatar; $13.8 billion with Kuwait; and $12.4 billion with Oman. The ministry has asked exporters to focus on potential key sectors such as food, electronics and engineering, and major markets to boost exports. It has suggested focus on organising fairs and exhibitions at global scale. India’s merchandise exports rose 6.21 per cent to $33.57 billion in October this year, even as the trade deficit touched a record high of $31.46 billion during the month.
