Attention is drawn to Para 5.19 of the Hand Book of Procedures of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2015-20 which envisages that to provide relief to exporters of those sector where total export in the sector/product group has declined by more than 5% as compared to the previous year, the average export obligation for the year may be reduced proportionate to reduction in exports of that particular sector /product group during the relevant year as against the preceding year. This implies that the sector/product group that witnessed such decline in 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18 would be entitled for such relief.

2. A list of such sectors/product groups showing the percentage decline in exports during 2018-­19 as compared to 2017-18 is enclosed herewith.

3. All Regional Authorities of this Directorate are requested to re-fix the annual average export obligation for EPCG Authorizations for the year 2018-19 accordingly. The reduction, if any, in the export obligation should be appropriately endorsed in the file pertaining to the concerned EPCG Authorisation, as also in the Amendment Sheet to be issued along with the concerned EPCG Authorisation by the Regional Authority.

4. The Regional Authorities, while considering requests of discharge of export obligation will ensure that in case of shortfall in export obligation fulfillment, the Policy Circulars earlier issued in terms of Para 5.11.2 of HBP 2009-14 and Para 5.19 of Hand Book of Procedure of FTP 2015-20 are also considered before issuance of demand notice, EODC, etc. This stipulation should also form part of Check Sheet for the purpose of EODC.

5. This issues with the approval of Director General of Foreign Trade.

Enclosure: List of sectors/product groups which have experienced a decline of more than 5% in exports in 2018-19 as compared to 2017-18.
 

(Rajbir Sharma)
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade
Tel. No. +91 11 23061562/ Ext. 236
E-mail: rajbir.sharma@nic.in