The Man-made Textile Export Promotion Council (MATEXCIL) has called upon the Textile Ministry to recommend to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to expedite the activation of the MAI Scheme for FY 2025–26 at the earliest. MATEXIL informed that the council has submitted applications for financial support to facilitate participation of exporters in over 20 international exhibitions during FY 2025–26 under the MAI Scheme. However, the Empowered Committee (EC) meeting is yet to take place, and approvals for all our proposals remain pending. As a result, the council has already missed the opportunity to participate in some leading international exhibitions held during April and May 2025. Further, the absence of clarity regarding the status of the MAI Scheme is creating uncertainty among exporters and affecting planning and coordination. The delay in activation of the scheme is posing considerable constraints in finalizing participation in international exhibitions, securing cost-effective bookings from organizers, and mobilizing member exporters in a timely manner. Early activation of the MAI Scheme will provide the necessary clarity and impetus for MATEXIL and other EPCs to implement planned export promotion programs effectively, the council pointed out.
Source: Tecoya Trend
The Manmade and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council (MATEXIL) has called upon the Indian government to exempt textile machineries imported under the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme from QCO requirements - in line with the exemption granted for imports against Advance Authorizations. In a communique to the authorities, MATEXIL noted that the Ministry of Heavy Industries has issued a Notification to implement Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for machinery, effective from August 28, 2025.
The Notification includes several categories of machinery relevant to the textile sector. In this context, MATEXIL brought to the attention of the authorities that a significant portion of the machinery used by the textile industry is imported from various countries. It is a well-acknowledged fact that overseas machinery manufacturers require a reasonable time frame to obtain the necessary certifications and approvals under the QCO framework. The council pointed out that imports made against Advance Authorizations have been exempted from QCO. requirements. In a similar manner, machineries imported under the EPCG Scheme should also be exempted from the QCO requirements, as such imports are also meant to support exports and enhance competitiveness. A condition of non-transferability even after the completion of the prescribed Export obligations, may be imposed on such machines to prevent any misuse, MATEXIL suggested.
Source: Tecoya Trend
The number climbed to 7,20,996 in 2024- 25, up from 6,84,724 in the previous fiscal year. This indicates greater utilization of trade pacts, boosting competitiveness through duty concessions, with continued growth observed in the initial months of the current fiscal year. The number of preferential certificates of origin issued under free trade agreements implemented so far has recorded a healthy increase, rising to 7,20,996 in 2024-25 from 6,84,724 in 2023-24, indicating greater utilisation of trade pacts by Indian exporters, according to government data. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said India's trade under the preferential route is growing. In a free trade agreement, two countries either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them. India has so far implemented over a dozen such agreements with countries including Japan, Singapore, Korea, UAE and Australia. A certificate of origin is a key document required for exports to those countries with which India has trade agreements. An exporter has to submit the certificate at the landing port of the importing country. The document is important to claim duty concessions under free trade agreements. This certificate is essential to prove where the goods come from. "If somebody is taking these certificates, it means that they are utilising the preferential duty which is available under the FTA," Barthwal said. Availing duty concessions under these agreements improves the competitiveness of Indian exporters. As per the data, during April-May this fiscal, 1,32,116 certificates have been issued against 1,20,598 certificates in the same period previous fiscal.
Source: The Economic Times
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Monday clarified that quoting a document identification number (DIN) is not required for communications generated through the common portal of GST, including show-cause tax notices, if they already bear a reference number (RFN). The CBIC had amended its earlier circular that made it mandatory to quote a DIN on all communications sent to taxpayers and other concerned persons. The move was initiated after several taxpayers did not respond to GST notices as they did not bear a DIN.
The decision to exempt communication bearing RFN from DIN requirement is based on the fact that RFN is already verifiable through the GST portal, providing details of the document such as date of RFN generation, date of issuing the document, module, type of communication and name of the office issuing the document. "It is therefore clarified that for communications via common portal (in compliance with Section 169 of the CGST Act, 2017) having verifiable reference number (RFN), quoting of document identification number (DIN) is not required and such communication bearing RFN is to be treated as a valid communication," the CBIC circular said.
Source: The Economic Times
India seeks assurance from the US in the finalized bilateral trade agreement (BTA) to prevent additional tariffs by the Trump administration. India requests stability in tariffs, concessions for labor-intensive sectors, and a mechanism to address potential tariff increases. Both countries aim to finalize the BTA before the deadline, with India emphasizing the need for sustained trade advantages.
Source: The Economic Times
India's goods exports declined 2.17% on-year to $38.73 billion in May while trade deficit narrowed to $21.88 billion in the month from $26.4 billion in April and $22.09 billion a year ago, official data released Monday showed. Imports declined 1.7% to $60.61 billion in May. Gold imports fell 12.6% in the month. "Despite global policy uncertainty regarding trade and conflicts which are going on, we have done extremely well," said commerce secretary.
Source: The Economic Times
India's merchandise exports to the US rose by 16.93 per cent to USD 8.83 billion in May, while imports dipped by 5.76 per cent to USD 3.62 billion during the month, according to the commerce ministry data. During April-May, the country's exports to the US increased by 21.78 per cent to USD 17.25 billion, while imports rose by 25.8 per cent to USD 8.87 billion, the data showed. When asked about the impact of high tariffs imposed by the US on steel, aluminium and auto parts, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce Rajesh Agrawal said India does not export a lot of steel and aluminium to the US. There is a uniform duty on auto components for all countries, so "we have not seen a big dent" on the sector. But if it will be continued for long, there could be some impact. If some countries will get exemptions from this duty then it may impact Indian players, he added. The US has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on these products. The US was the second-largest trading partner of India in April-May. China, another major trading partner of India, saw a 25 per cent jump in exports from India to USD 1.64 billion in May and 18.75 per cent growth in April-May to USD 3.04 billion. Imports from the neighbouring country in May rose by 21.16 per cent to USD 10.31 billion while in April-May by 24.23 per cent to USD 20.22 billion. Singapore, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Korea and Russia were also among the countries which saw positive growth in exports from India in May. However, exports to the UAE, the Netherlands, the UK, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Italy, France, Malaysia, and Brazil declined in May. On the imports front, inbound shipments in May declined from nations including Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Qatar.
Source: The Economic Times
Surat: The South Gujarat Textile Processors Association (SGTPA) is taking the lead in lobbying for the development of a 600 million litres a day (MLD) deep sea discharge pipeline. The textile processing and chemical industries have joined hands to push for expediting the project, so that it can boost industrial growth in the region. According to SGTPA officials, the Gujarat Maritime Board has given its no-objection certificate for the project. The state govt had earlier announced the project, and surveys were conducted for it. For smooth execution and the participation of various stakeholders, various industries operating in and around Surat have joined hands under the leadership of SGTPA. "The cost of this project may rise to Rs 5,000 crore. It will be located where connectivity can be given to the MITRA Park of Vansi Borsi in Navsari district. Once complete, the project will the open doors for further expansion of existing industries," said Jitu Vakharia, president of the SGTPA. The current total discharge of these industries is estimated to be 450 MLD currently. With future need in mind, a larger discharge pipeline is being planned. Through the pipeline, discharge from seven water treatment plants around Surat will be released. The pipeline project is expected to bring down water treatment cost as well. SGTPA officials say the discharge will be released deep in the sea, so it does not harm marine life. Earlier proposed locations of the pipeline were objected to, and its location was changed. "Of the project cost, 20% will be borne by industry and 80% by the govt. It will make possible industrial growth, which has been halted because the maximum capacity of water treatment plants has been reached," Vakharia said.
Source: Times of India
Poland’s export turnover at current prices in January-April this year was worth PLN 501.1 billion (~$135.55 billion)—2.4-per cent drop year on year (YoY), while the import turnover was PLN 512.8 billion—a YoY rise of 3.3 per cent. The total trade deficit reached PLN 11.6 billion during the period. Exports expressed in US dollars amounted to $125.7 billion during the four-month period, while imports amounted to $128.6 billion. The negative balance reached $2.9 billion, while in the same period last year, it was positive and amounted to $4.3 billion. The share of developed countries in total exports amounted to 87.1 per cent, of which the European Union’s (EU) share was 74.4 per cent. In imports during the period, the share of developed countries was 64.4 per cent, of which the EU had a share of 52.7 per cent. However, the smallest share was observed with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, share of exports to where was 4.7 per cent of the total exports, and the share of imports from these zones during the period was 1.8 per cent of the total imports. The trade surplus with developed countries during the period was PLN 106.3 billion (~$26.6 billion), of which PLN 102.9 billion (~$25.8 billion) was the surplus with the EU countries and PLN 14.3 billion (~$3.6 billion) was the surplus with Central and Eastern Europe. A trade deficit of PLN 132.2 billion (~$33.1 billion) was noted with developing countries during the period, an official release from Statistics Poland said. Poland’s exports to the United States, Slovakia, Ukraine and Spain rose by 6 per cent, 4.2 per cent, 4 per cent and 0.6 per cent YoY during the period. Imports from South Korea, China, the United States and the Netherlands increased by 26.4 per cent, 15 per cent, 12.2 per cent and 2.2 per cent YoY during the period. The trade deficit with the United States during January-April 2025 was PLN 8.7 billion (~$2.2 billion). Exports to that country accounted for 3.5 per cent of the total exports, while imports from there amounted to 5.1 per cent of the total imports.
Source: Fibre2fashion
Bangladesh's purchasing managers' index (PMI) in May this year rose by 6 points from April to reach 58.9. The latest reading was attributed to a faster rate of expansion posted by the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors, whereas the construction sector posted no change. Both the indexes of new business and employment reverted to a contraction, whereas the order backlogs index reverted to an expansion. The agriculture sector posted its eighth consecutive month of expansion, and at a faster rate. It posted faster expansion rates for the indexes of new business, business activity, employment, input costs, and the order backlogs index reverted to an expansion. The manufacturing sector posted its ninth month of expansion in a row, and at a faster rate. It posted expansion readings for most indexes except for the order backlogs index, which posted a slower contraction rate and had recorded contractions for 10 consecutive months.
In terms of the future business index, slower expansion rates were recorded for the indexes of manufacturing, construction, and services, whereas the agriculture index posted a faster expansion rate, domestic media outlets reported. The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dhaka and Policy Exchange Bangladesh released the PMI report. It was developed by both with support from the UK government and technical support from Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management.
Source: Financial Express
The Port of Los Angeles processed 716,619 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in May 2025, marking a 5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline and its lowest monthly cargo volume in over two years. The downturn follows 10 consecutive months of growth and reflects growing strain from newly imposed tariffs affecting both imports and exports. Imports for the month totalled 355,950 TEUs—down 9 per cent compared to May 2024—while exports fell 5 per cent to 120,196 TEUs. Although the port saw a 2 per cent rise in empty container movement, The Port of Los Angeles said in a media release. Despite May’s slowdown, the port handled over 4 million TEUs in the first five months of 2025, up 4 per cent from the same period last year. “While May volume is typically stronger than April as we approach our traditional peak season, our imports dropped 19 per cent compared to last month. Unless long-term, comprehensive trade agreements are reached soon, we’ll likely see higher prices and less selection during the year-end holiday season. The uncertainty created by fast-changing tariff policies has caused hardships for consumers, businesses and labour,” Gene Seroka, executive director, Port of Los Angeles, said at a media briefing. Ernie Tedeschi, director of Economics at The Budget Lab at Yale, joined the briefing, highlighting that Tariffs are projected to raise consumer prices by 1.5 per cent, costing households nearly $2,500 annually. “But that impact isn’t the same across all families or products: lower-income and working-class families see a bigger hit than higher-income families, and products more likely to be imported like shoes, apparel, and consumer electronics will see double-digit percent price increases,” Tedeschi said.
Source: The Business Journal
