It is necessary to grant recognition to these industrial cluster items with a view to maximize their export profiles and help in upgrading them to move up in the higher value markets.
A number of towns in specific geographical locations have emerged as dynamic industrial locations handsomely contributing to India’s exports. These "Industrial Clusters" rooted in history symbolise the bursting forth of the free market spirit and are essentially collective response to common problems of competitiveness. Some have become globally renowned manufacturing bases. It is necessary to grant recognition to these industrial cluster items with a view to maximize their export profiles and help in upgrading them to move up in the higher value markets.
A number of such industrial cluster towns are exporting a substantial portion of their products, which are world class. For example, Tirupur is exporting 80% of its production of hosiery. A beginning has been made to consider industrial cluster towns such as Tirupur for hosiery, woollen blanket in Panipat, woollen knitwear in Ludhiana to be eligible for the following benefits:-
Common service providers in these areas shall be entitled for facility of EPCG scheme. The recognised associations of units will be able to access the funds under the Market Access Initiative scheme in Paragraph 3.2 for creating focused technological services. Further such areas will receive priority for assistance for identified critical infrastructure gaps from the scheme on Central Assistance to States mentioned in paragraph 3.1. The units in these notified areas would be eligible for availing all the EXIM policy schemes as per their choice and the provisions of those schemes shall stand relaxed to the extent provided in this paragraph in respect of such units.
Existing industrial clusters need upgradation of services and simplification of procedures. To achieve that purpose, it is proposed to bring about synergy and convergence of various schemes for development of cluster to improve the competitiveness of the units located there.
Selected towns producing goods of Rs. 1000 crore or more will be notified as Towns of Exports Excellence on the basis of potential for growth in exports. Proposal for strengthening infrastructure, simplifying rules & procedures and developing production infrastructure relating to design, R&D packaging , logistic support as well as to provide awareness and information about international marketing will be considered under the scheme.

Special Focus on Cottage and Handicraft Sector  3.4
The small scale sector alongwith the cottage and handicraft sector has been contributing to more than half of the total exports of the country. The cottage and handicrafts sector, which mostly employs artisan and rural people, contributes significantly to this effort. In recognition of the export performance of this sector and to further increase its competitiveness, the following facilities shall be extended to this sector.
1. The unit in this sector shall be eligible for funds from Market Access Initiative (MAI) scheme as given in paragraph 3.2 of this Policy. Funds shall be earmarked for this sector in the MAI scheme. The funds shall be utilised for developing their website for virtual exhibition, among other activities,

2. Under the EPCG scheme, these units will not be required to maintain average level of exports as given in paragraph 5.5(ii) of this Policy;

3. These units shall be entitled to the benefit of export house status on achieving lower total export/deemed export performance of Rs.15.crore during the preceding three licensing years. However, for new entrants, having exports of less than three years, such status may be granted on achieving the total exports of Rs. 15 crore in the current or preceding one/two licensing years as given in paragraph 3.7.2 of this Policy; and

4. The units in handicraft sector shall be entitled to duty free imports of specified items upto 3% of FOB value of their exports.

Agri Export Zones (AEZ)  3.5.1
With a view to promoting agricultural export from the country and remunerative returns to the farming community in a sustained manner, AEZ as announced earlier would be set up for end to end development for export of specific products from a geographically contiguous area.

3.5.2
AEZ would be identified by the State Government, who may evolve a comprehensive package of services provided by all State Government agencies, State agriculture universities and all institutions and agencies of the Union Government for intensive delivery in these zones. Corporate sector with proven credentials will be encouraged to sponsor new agri export zone or take over already notified agri export zone or part of such zones for boosting agri exports from the zones.

3.5.3
Services which would be managed and co-ordinated by State Government/corporate sector would include provision of pre/post harvest treatment and operations, plant protection, processing, packaging, storage and related research & development etc. APEDA will supplement, within its schemes and provisions, efforts of State Governments for facilitating such exports.

3.5.4
Units in AEZ would be entitled for all the facilities available for exports of goods in terms of provisions of the respective schemes.

Brand Promotion and Quality  3.6.1
The Central Government aims to encourage manufacturers and exporters to attain internationally accepted standards of quality for their products. The Central Government will extend support and assistance to trade and industry to launch a nationwide programme on quality awareness and to promote the concept of total quality management.

State Programmes  3.6.2
The Central Government will encourage and assist State Governments in launching similar programmes in their respective States, particularly for the small scale and handicraft sectors.

Test Houses  3.6.3
The Central Government will assist in the modernisation and upgradation of test houses and laboratories in order to bring them at par with international standards.

Quality Complaints/ Disputes  3.6.4
The Regional Sub-Committee on Quality Complaints (RSCQC) set up at the Regional Offices of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade shall investigate quality complaints received from foreign buyers. The guidelines for settlement of quality complaints, in particular, and such other complaints, in general, is given in Appendix- 37 of Handbook (Vol.1).

Trade disputes affecting trade relations  3.6.5
If it comes to the notice of the Director General of Foreign Trade or he has reason to believe that an export or import has been made in a manner gravely prejudicial
1. to the trade relations of India with any foreign country;
2. to the interest of other persons engaged in exports or imports;
3. has brought disrepute to the credit or the goods of the country;
The Director General Foreign Trade may take action against the exporter or importer concerned in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Rules and Orders made thereunder and this Policy.

Status Certificate  3.7.1
Merchant As Well As Manufacturer Exporters, Service Providers, Export Oriented Units (EOU’s)/ Units Located in Special Economic Zones (SEZ’s) / Agri Export Zone (AEZ’s)/ Electronic Hardware Technology Parks (EHTPs)/ Software Technology Parks (STPs) shall be eligible for such recognition.

Export Performance Level  3.7.2
The applicant is required to achieve the prescribed average export performance level:
Category
Total FOB/FOR during the current licencing year or during the preceding 1/2/3 licensing years. (in Rupees)
Export House  45 crore
Trading House  300 crore
Star Trading House  1500 crore
Super Star Trading House  6000 crore
Note:
1.Units in Small Scale Industry/Tiny Sector/Cottage Sector/Units registered with KVICs or KVIBs/ Units located in North Eastern States, Sikkim and J&K/ Units exporting handloom, handicrafts, hand knotted carpets, silk carpets/ exporters holding golden status/exporters exporting to countries in Latin America and CIS/ sub Saharan Africa as listed in Appendix-17C, units having ISO 9000 (series) /WHOGMP/HACCP/SEI CMM level-II and above status granted by agencies listed in Appendix-28A, shall be entitled for export house status on achieving Rs.15 crore FOB/FOR during the current licencing year or during the preceding 1/2/3 licensing years. The same threshold limit shall be applicable to the service exporters and agri exporters (other than grains) for obtaining Export house status.
2.Export made on re-export basis shall not be counted for the purpose of recognition.
3.The exports made by a subsidiary of a limited company shall be counted towards export performance of the limited company for the purpose of recognition. For this purpose, the company shall have the majority share holding in the subsidiary company.

Special Strategic Package for Status Holders  3.7.2.1
The status holders shall be eligible for the following new/ special facilities:
Licence/certificate/permissions and Customs clearances for both imports and exports on self-declaration basis.
Fixation of Input-Output norms on priority within 60 days;
Exemption from compulsory negotiation of documents through banks. The remittance, however, would continue to be received through banking channels;
100% retention of foreign exchange in EEFC account;
Enhancement in normal repatriation period from 180 days to 360 days.
Duty free import entitlement for status holders having incremental growth of more than 25% in FOB value of exports (in free foreign exchange) subject to a minimum export turnover of Rs. 25 crore (in free foreign exchange). The duty free entitlement shall be 10% of the incremental growth in exports. Such entitlement can be used for import of capital goods, office equipment and inputs for their own factory or the factory of the associate/supporting manufacturer/job worker. The entitlement/ goods shall not be transferable.

Validity Period  3.7.3
All status certificates issued or renewed on or after 1.4.2002 shall be valid from 1^st April of the licensing year during which the application for the grant of such recognition is made upto 31^st March, 2007, unless otherwise specified. On the expiry of such certificate, application for renewal of status certificate shall be required to be made within a period as prescribed in the Handbook (Vol.1). During the said period, the status holder shall be eligible to claim the usual facilities and benefits.

Transitional Arrangement  3.7.4
The status certificates expired/expiring on 31^st March, 2002/ 31^st March, 2003 along with the erstwhile Golden Status Certificates shall be deemed to have been extended upto 31^st March, 2004. However, further renewal shall be granted on achieving the threshold limit prescribed in the Policy.

Service Exports  3.8
"Services" include all the 161 tradable services covered under the General Agreement on Trade in Services where payment for such services is received in free foreign exchange. A list of services is given in Appendix-36 of Handbook (Vol.1). Service exporters are required to register themselves with Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation. However, software exporter shall register themselves with Electronic and Software Export Promotion Council.
The service providers as defined in paragraph 9.47, rendering services listed in Appendix–36 shall be entitled for all the facilities mentioned in the Policy. All provisions of the Policy shall apply mutatis-mutandis to such export of services as they apply to goods.
Service provider (other than hotels) shall be entitled to duty free imports equivalent to 10% of the average foreign exchange earned by them in preceding three years. Hotels shall be entitled for duty free imports equivalent to 5% of the average foreign exchange earned by them in preceding three years. The duty free entitlement shall be used for import of spares, office equipment and furniture, professional equipment and consumables other than agriculture and dairy products. The entitlement and the goods shall be non-transferable and would be available only to those service providers who have an average foreign exchange earning of over Rs. 10 lakhs in the preceding three licencing years.

Electronic Data Interchange  3.9
In an attempt to speed up the transactions, reduce physical interface and to bring about transparency in various activities related to exports, electronic data interchange would be encouraged. Applications received electronically shall be cleared within 24 hours. Such applicant shall be required to furnish fee equivalent to 50% of the fee mentioned in Appendix- 29 of Handbook (Vol.1).

Thrust sector  3.10
With a view to achieve the share of 1% of global trade and accelerated growth in exports, the following shall be the thrust sectors: Electronic hardware
Textile including garments
Auto components /ancilliary
Gem & Jewellery
Agriculture
Service sector.
Department of Commerce shall take concerted efforts to promote exports of these sectors by specific sectoral strategy.
 

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