Review of Trade Policies of India’s Major Trading Partners

Abstract

India’s current share of the world merchandise trade is 1.1 % and Services trade is 2.7 %. In merchandise trade, India’s target is to reach 5 % of the world trade by 2020. Along with improving export competitiveness, it is also important to improve information base regarding trade policy regime of India’s main trading partners and identify areas which impede market access of Indian goods and services. The present report is an endeavour in this direction capturing the market access barriers faced by Indian exporters in its major trading partners and other select countries, 24 in all. The main export markets of India as reflected in the share of India’s exports are indicated in Annexure I of this report. The report is compiled on the basis of information obtained from four sources: (1) questions raised by India during the Trade Policy Review of its trading partners, (2) inputs provided by Department of Commerce, Government of India, (3) information obtained through media reports and industry sources and (4) concerns raised by the USTR and the EC on market access barriers in the markets of its trading partners. The market access barriers have been broadly classified into eight categories for the organizing of this report: SPSTBT issues, labeling issues, tariff issues, customs procedures, issues in services, intellectual property rights (IPRs), requirement of local content and other barriers. Market access barriers in India’s major trading partners are organized in this thematic manner.