New Delhi, Jan 3 (KNN) The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has sought feedback from industry representatives on rules of origin under the proposed India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA).

One of the tracks in the CEPCA would be the rules of origin. These are rules conferring the origin to goods for availing of tariff (or customs duty) preferences for exports under the proposed CECPA.

These could include criteria such as wholly originating, change in tariff classification (CTC), value addition, any technical rule etc.

Mauritius had in one of the meetings held in September, 2016 sought liberal rules of origin on garments and processed tuna.

In this context, the Ministry has sought inputs from the industry bodies at the HS 6 digit level on the possible rules of origin under the India-Mauritius CECPA.

Further, comments have also been invited on the issue of cumulative self-certification, deminimis criteria, sets etc.

India and Mauritius had in September 2016 begun talks to revise CECPA and Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

Revision of the CECPA has been a longstanding demand by Mauritius, a major source of foreign direct investments coming into India.

India exports petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, cereals, cotton and electrical machinery, among others, to Mauritius. The island nation’s exports to India include iron and steel, pearls and precious and semi-precious stones.

In 2014-2015, India exported USD 1.9 billion worth goods to Mauritius while imports during the same period were to the tune of USD 21.19 million, according to government figures. (KNN Bureau)