7 months ago
India Eases Export Documentation for WANA Markets
The Indian government has made it easier for businesses to export goods to countries in West Asia and North Africa (WANA).
They have given a special group called IACCIA the power to issue important papers called certificates of origin.
These papers help prove where the goods come from, which is important for customs checks.
This change is meant to help small and medium-sized businesses that often have trouble getting these papers quickly.
India has trade agreements with some countries in the WANA region, like the UAE and Oman, and is talking about making more agreements.
This should make it easier and faster for Indian businesses to sell their goods to these countries.
The Indian government has authorized IACCIA to issue non-preferential certificates of origin for exports to WANA.
The move aims to ease documentation requirements and improve ease of doing business, especially for small and medium exporters.
India has signed FTAs with the UAE and Oman and is in talks with Qatar for a potential FTA.
Certificates of origin are crucial for customs compliance, anti-dumping checks, and trade statistics in WANA.
India's merchandise exports to WANA were over $64 billion in FY25, with the UAE being the largest export destination.
- Who
- Indian government and exporters trading with West Asia and North Africa (WANA)
- What
- Simplification of export documentation by authorizing IACCIA to issue non-preferential certificates of origin
- Where
- India and WANA region (19 countries)
- When
- Recent government order
- Why
- To improve ease of doing business, particularly for small and medium exporters, and to facilitate trade with the WANA region
Key facts
- Authorized Body
- India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (IACCIA)
- Target Region
- West Asia and North Africa (WANA)
- Purpose
- Non-preferential certificates of origin
- Trade Agreements
- FTAs with UAE, Oman; negotiations with Qatar
- Key Export Destinations
- UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Sudan
- Total Bilateral Trade (FY25)
- $216 billion
- India's Exports to WANA (FY25)
- $64 billion
- India's Exports to UAE (FY25)
- $36.64 billion
Quotes
Vinod Kumar
President, India SME Forum
“The decision may help in improving ease of doing business for exporters, particularly small and medium enterprises that often face bottlenecks in securing certificates during peak export cycles.”
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Arun Kumar Garodia
Former chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council
“Authorising an agency to issue certificates of origin will help reduce procedural bottlenecks for exporters, particularly those trading with West Asia and North Africa where such documentation is routinely required.”
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