In the second visit by a provincial leader this month, the Premier of Saskatchewan Scott Moe arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday.

 

In a release on Tuesday, his office said, 'Today, Premier Scott Moe is leading a delegation to India to maintain and grow trade opportunities, increase investment attraction, and showcase Saskatchewan’s capacity to foster food and energy security goals.'

 

Among his first engagements was a meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who posted on X that he appreciated Moe’s 'strong support for our partnership and looking forward to deepening our cooperation'.

 

After his arrival, Moe posted, 'Saskatchewan is an exporting province and thousands of SK jobs depend on strong export markets. In 2023, SK exports to India totalled over $1.3 billion. My job as Premier is to ensure we maintain and expand those markets and protect the thousands of SK jobs that rely on exports. That’s why I’m in India this week.'

 

In the release, he said, 'This is an important mission for Saskatchewan as we continue to build relationships with India. We have built strong relationships over a number of decades which has been crucial to building opportunities and protecting communities and jobs back home.'

 

Among his engagements will be featuring as a speaker at the Raisina Dialogue, which is organised by Observer Research Foundation in association with the Ministry of External Affairs. Moe will be speaking about Saskatchewan’s sustainable agriculture practices and reliable supply chain. He will be in India till February 24.

 

The province’s top five exports to India include lentils, potash, wood pulp, peas and non-durum wheat. Saskatchewan is India’s largest exporter of key products including potash and lentils.

 

His visit comes days after a week-long 'sales mission' by Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Victor Fedeli to India, with events in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

 

That was the first by a prominent Canadian leader to India since bilateral tensions erupted in September over the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in Surrey, British Columbia. Negotiations over an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) between India and Canada were paused in late August, days prior to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement in the House of Commons that there were 'credible allegations' of a potential link between Indian agents and Nijjar’s killing. While engagement at the Federal level has not resumed, sub-national contacts appear to have with the visits by Fedeli and Moe.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has taken a number of steps to ensure that more and more of its Scheduled products are exported to newer destinations. In this regard special emphasis is towards the ODOP and GI products, and also to source these exports from non-traditional areas/states. As on date, APEDA scheduled products are being exported to more than 203 countries/territories, worldwide. To give this a further fillip, more than 27 flag offs were organised in the current financial year. Some of the notable new flagoffs of export shipments were:

Product	Origin	Export destination
Guava	Baramati, Maharashtra	UAE
Bananas	Baramati, Maharashtra	Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Russia
Potatoes	Purvanchal	UAE
Khasi Mandarin Orange	Meghalaya	Dubai
Colocasia	Pakur, Jharkhand	Singapore
Assam Flat Beans and Lemon	Assam	London
Water chestnuts	Varanasi	UAE
Marigold	Varanasi	Sharjah
Cashew nut	Odisha	Bangladesh, Qatar, Malaysia, USA
Fresh vegetables	Uttarakhand	Kingdom of Bahrain
Pongal Hamper	Nilakottai, TN	Abu Dhabi
Lemon, Mango and Mixed pickles	Karnataka	UAE
Millets	Punjab	Australia

APEDA is also actively involved in capacity building initiatives for FPOs as they are increasingly recognized as essential aggregators of farm produce, pivotal in streamlining the supply chain and ensuring efficient market access for farmers. With a focus on enabling direct exports, APEDA has transformed 119 FPOs/FPCs into exporters over a period of five years. Through tailored support and guidance, these FPOs have enhanced their capabilities to navigate global markets, amplifying the presence of Indian agricultural products on the international stage.

 

The agri-export promotion body in collaboration with the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), has embarked on a proactive initiative to develop sea protocols tailored for the export of fresh produce to long-distance markets. This strategic endeavour aims to optimize the export process for promising fresh fruits, facilitating efficient transportation and reducing logistics costs. As part of this initiative, trial shipments of mangoes and pomegranates to the USA and the European Union are being planned. In a significant breakthrough, bananas were successfully shipped by sea to the Netherlands in November and to Russia in January. The implementation of sea protocols is poised to enable a quantum increase in exports of items such as bananas, mangoes, pomegranates, and other fresh fruits and vegetables, further enhancing India's presence in international markets.

An Indian government delegation has visited Singapore to bolster trade relations and attract investment to the country.

The delegation, led by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, engaged in productive discussions with high-ranking government officials in Singapore and participated in investor roundtables on Monday.

Singh also addressed the “India-Singapore Trade Roundtable” on the Food and Machinery Sector, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the High Commission of India in Singapore, in partnership with the Singapore Business Federation.

The event served as a platform for Indian and Singaporean businesses to explore avenues for enhancing trade, joint ventures, technology exchanges, and partnerships, a FICCI official said on Tuesday.

The visit of the delegation was aimed at inviting investors to India and enhancing trade ties between India and Singapore, the official said.

Singh also met Beh Swan Gim, Singapore’s Trade and Industry Ministry Permanent Secretary during which they emphasised on the importance of bilateral relations between the two nations.

The delegation also attended the Investors roundtable on Renewable Energy and Electronics and Semiconductors. These sessions, organised by Enterprise Singapore and Invest India, opened dialogues with business leaders on the potential for deepening investment ties and collaborative ventures between the two nations.

Singapore is India’s 8th largest trade partner. According to the Indian High Commission in Singapore, in the year 2022-23, the bilateral trade reached USD 35.59 billion, registering a growth of 18 per cent over 2021-22. 

Eight sub-committees have been constituted under the India-Asean free trade agreement joint committee for undertaking negotiations on different areas related to the review of the pact, an official statement said on Monday. India hosted the third meeting of the committee for undertaking the review here from February 16-19.

 

The AITIGA (Asean-India trade in goods agreement) was signed in 2009.

 

In September 2022, both sides tasked the AITIGA Joint Committee to undertake the review to make the agreement more trade facilitative and mutually beneficial.

 

'A total of eight sub-committees have been constituted under the AITIGA Joint Committee for undertaking negotiations on different policy areas related to the agreement,' the commerce ministry said.

 

The first two meetings of the joint committee were held in May and August last year.

 

In the meeting, the ministry said, the sub-committees reported the progress and outcome of their discussions related to market access, rules of origin and standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures to the joint committee.

 

India-10-nation bloc ASEAN trade has grown to USD 131.58 billion in 2022-23.

 

Both sides are aiming to conclude the review in 2025.

 

The fourth meeting of AITIGA joint committee is planned to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in May.

 

The review of the AITIGA was a long-standing demand of Indian businesses.

 

India is asking for a review of the agreement with an aim to eliminate barriers and misuse of the trade pact.

 

Asean members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 

With the negotiations for the proposed India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) reaching its last leg, a high-level Indian official delegation is heading for London to iron out differences on remaining issues, sources said on Tuesday. The chief negotiators of both the countries would hold negotiations on different issues such as goods, services, and rules of origin.

 

The visit assumes significance as last week, the Prime Minister's Office has reviewed the progress of the talks.

 

Sources said that the attempt of this visit would be to close the remaining issues.

 

So far 13 rounds of talks have been completed. The 14th round was started last month.

 

Talks are also progressing on the proposed bilateral investment treaty (BIT).

 

India and the UK launched the talks for a free-trade agreement (FTA) in January 2022.

 

There are 26 chapters in the agreement, which include goods, services, investments and intellectual property rights.

 

The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT and healthcare in the UK market, besides market access for several goods at nil customs duty.

 

On the other hand, the UK is seeking a significant cut in import duties on goods such as scotch whiskey, electric vehicles, lamb meat, chocolates and certain confectionary items.

 

Britain is also looking for more opportunities for UK services in Indian markets in segments like telecommunications, legal and financial services (banking and insurance).

 

The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23 from USD 17.5 billion in 2021-22.

 

Following a directive from the Indian foreign ministry, the Department of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has sanctioned urgent onion exports to select countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Bahrain, and Mauritius, despite the absence of an official announcement. This move, aimed at stabilizing the domestic markets of these nations, marks a significant and unprecedented decision by the Indian government. Concurrently, the Maharashtra government has disclosed approval for exporting 3oo,000 tonnes of onion, highlighting the central government's commitment to regional market stability.

 

During a recent visit to India, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmood appealed for the normalization of essential commodity exports, including onions, suggesting a quota system for Bangladesh to alleviate shortages. This comes as Bangladesh grapples with an annual onion demand of 2.2 to 2.5 million tonnes. In anticipation of Ramadan, State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu expressed optimism about securing 50,000 tonnes of onions, following assurances from India, despite ongoing discussions being delayed by the Indian Foreign Minister's commitments abroad.

 

This development is particularly crucial for Bangladesh, heavily reliant on imported onions, and is expected to positively influence market stability and consumer welfare. India's decision to resume limited onion exports, after a halt declared last December to control domestic prices, is a welcome move for the region.

India and Sri Lanka are set to take the ongoing discussions on the Economic and Trade Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) forward, with the next two rounds of bilateral talks scheduled later this month and in March.

 

The progress in negotiations is significant for New Delhi and Colombo, as the much-discussed pact was stalled in the past, owing to stiff opposition from some worker unions and hardline Sinhala-nationalist politicians, who saw the agreement as favouring Indian interests predominantly. At least 11 rounds of discussions were held between 2016 and 2019, when the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe administration was in power, but the two signs failed to reach an agreement amid protests in Sri Lanka.

 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who assumed charge as President in 2022 in extraordinary circumstances during the island’s economic crisis when a mass uprising that ousted his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has emphasised the need for trade pacts to aid the country’s economic recovery. Earlier this month, Sri Lanka inked a free trade pact with Thailand. India, followed by China, are the other two key partners that Mr. Wickremesinghe is keen to have upgraded agreements with, even as Sri Lankans reel under the painful aftermath of a financial meltdown. 

 

After talks on the stalled pact resumed under President Wickremesinghe last year, substantial discussions have been held. The Sri Lankan government sees the resumption of ETCA negotiations as 'a significant step towards strengthening the economic partnership between Sri Lanka and India.' 

 

According to an official update issued after the Sri Lankan Cabinet met on Monday, the 13th round of discussions on the proposed ETCA was held in New Delhi for 10 days beginning January 8. Nine sub-committees tasked with looking into various aspects such as goods trade, service trade, rules of the origin and customs procedure and easing the trade held deliberations.

 

Official sources familiar with the negotiations said the two sides are exploring ways of linking service trade to investments to ensure there is no threat to local labour. 'Free movement of individual professionals is not anticipated in the agreement,' said a senior official. Wickremesinghe, on Monday, briefed his Cabinet on the talks, and the 14th round of discussions of the proposed agreement is scheduled to be held on the first week of March 2024, the official press release said.

 

India and Sri Lanka first signed a free trade agreement in 1998. While the two sides have since attempted to upgrade it multiple times, the attempts proved unsuccessful. New Delhi and Colombo discussed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government, but his administration saw the agreement as being redundant at the time. 

 

Upcoming elections

Now, as both India and Sri Lanka prepare for an election year, the two countries are keen to seal the pact, said sources. 

Presenting the State’s top food brands to a discerning global audience of industry leaders and policymakers, the Kerala Pavilion opened at Gulfood 2024, one of the world’s largest food and beverage sourcing events, in Dubai on Monday.

 

Suman Billa, Principal Secretary, Industries and NoRKA, inaugurated the pavilion set up by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Limited (KSIDC) at the Dubai World Trade Centre, where the five-day 19th edition of Gulfood 2024 is being held. KSIDC Managing Director, and Director, Industries & Commerce, S. Harikishore, and promoters of the 12 co-exhibitors in the Kerala pavilion attended the inaugural function.

 

'The pavilion showcases the burgeoning opportunities in Kerala’s food sector, telling some of Kerala’s success stories from the segment,' Mr. Billa said. 'The State’s participation in one of the largest food expos is part of its continuous efforts in boosting food tech as a priority sector for the government,' he added.

 

Investor conclave

The KSIDC is also holding an investor conclave that focusses on the theme, Kerala - the Spice Capital of India, on February 21 (Wednesday) at the Ritz Carlton Dubai on the sidelines of Gulfood 2024, where delegates from 190 countries are expected to visit.

 

India’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Sunjay Sudhir and Chairman, Food & Beverage Manufacturing Business Group, UAE, Saleh Abdullah Lootah, are among those who will participate in the conclave.

 

'The investor meet will discuss opportunities in Kerala’s food sector, particularly in the spices sector as well as niche segments such as seafood processing, ready-to-eat food products, coconut, and jackfruit,' Mr. Harikishore said. 'With food and food tech as a priority sunrise sector for development, the government is creating an enabling environment that encourages both domestic and foreign investors to participate in the State’s burgeoning food ecosystem,' he added.

Haryana farmers producing rice eye rich returns during the coming Gulf Food Festival to start from 19th February 2024 at Dubai. in which nearly 50 countries are participating. Basmati rice produced at Tarawadi in Karnal

 

district, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar and Kaithal districts in Haryana state  is the first choice in export markets. According to information,  nearly 60 to 65% Basmati rice exported to160 countries across the world including USA, Europe, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Sri Lanka,  China, Africa, Nepal and Khadi countries supplied from Karnal district in the state. Exporters from Haryana state are expecting good orders from countries like Iraq, Iran, United Arab, Amirat and Yaman in the coming Gulf Food Festival.

 

Following a rise in demand, basmati rice export surged to 4.24 lakh MT in April this year, up from 3.19 lakh MT the previous year. Basmati growers and traders are likely to reap a rich harvest over the coming Kharif marketing season as the prices of all aromatic long grained varieties of rice has witnessed an increase in domestic and international market. Haryana farmers and traders are likely to reap a rich harvest over the coming Kharif marketing season. According to reports from rice exporters following a demand in the international market, the prices of Basmati rice have reached to over Rs 90,776 per metric tonne (MT) from Rs 83,068 of the last year. Following a jump in the rice export from the country, the price of basmati rice in the domestic market has reached above Rs 80 to Rs 120 a kg against Rs 70 to Rs 100 of the last year.

 

Information by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) revealed that in April, 2023-24 India exported 4.24 lakh MT basmati rice against 3.19 lakh MT of the previous year. The rise in export has helped exporters to earn handsome profits as prices in the international market have also witnessed an increase of around Rs 7,000 per MT. They are predicting that the prices may rise further following the increasing demand of Indian rice in the international market. There is also a surge in the export and prices of the parmal or non-basmati rice in the country. It exported a total of 14.2 lakh MT non-basmati rice in 2023 as against 13.52 lakh MT last year. The prices of the non-basmati rice also reached an all-time high of Rs 30,576 per MT last year from Rs 29,265 per MT last year.

 

Former president of All India Rice Exporters Association former president Vijay Setia said that the prices of both basmati and non-basmati rice have witnessed rise following an increase in demand in the international market. Setia, however, demanded the government to lift levy from the procurement of basmati paddy in Haryana mandis and the move will boost the competition and the farmers will earn more. According to information farmers of Haryana and Punjab are the biggest producer of basmati rice and contribute around 80% of the country’s total produce and the benefit from rising prices will increase farmers as well as rice exporters income. While talking to media persons, Setia said that there are  nearly 150 Basmati and Non-Basmati rice exporters in the country which include nearly 60 rice export in Karnal district alone because of production of high quality rice in the area.

Finance Ministry has lowered import duty on certain items from the US. These include blueberries and cranberries where duties have been cut to 5-10 per cent from 30 per cent. Similarly, import duty pertaining to meat and edible offal of turkey, frozen meat is reduced to 5 per cent from 30 per cent.

 

New tariff rates have been made effective from Tuesday, February 20, a notification issued by the Ministry said. This move is a follow-up of an announcement made in September last year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the US President Joe Biden.

 

Both countries agreed to resolve their last outstanding dispute at the World Trade Organisation on import restrictions on poultry products from Washington with New Delhi throwing in some additional sweeteners in the form of duty cuts on frozen turkey, frozen duck and a variety of cranberries and blueberries.

 

A statement issued by the US Trade Representative office, in September last, said that as part of the agreement, India had agreed to reduce tariffs on certain US products including frozen turkey, frozen duck, fresh blueberries and cranberries, frozen blueberries and cranberries, dried blueberries and cranberries, and processed blueberries and cranberries. 'These tariff cuts will expand economic opportunities for US agricultural producers in a critical market and help bring more US products to customers in India,' it had said.

 

Poultry case

The US filed a poultry case against India in the WTO way back in 2012 for the removal of an import ban imposed by the country on US poultry on account of bird flu. India lost the case at the WTO at the panel level in 2014 and also subsequently at the appellate level. While India then lifted the ban, the US was not satisfied with the mechanism involved for poultry shipments and also the steep import duties and hence did not withdraw the case at the WTO.

 

Commenting on the latest development, Khushbu Trivedi, Associate Director- with Nangia Andersen India said, 'Reduction of the duty on these niche items rarely produced in India would help the USA in penetrating the Indian market and also in bringing the prices of these products down in India. This move shall also benefit other nations forming part of WTO,' she said.

 

The notification has also reduced the import duty to ‘NIL’ on ‘Cotton, not carded or combed, with staple length exceeding 32mm.’ This has been done in response to the concerns raised by the cotton industry, 'This decision reflects a proactive approach by the government to address industry feedback and adapt import regulations accordingly, potentially benefiting stakeholders involved in the cotton sector,' Trivedi said.