New Delhi, Apr 2 (KNN) Slowdown-hit exporters expecting relief from the government will have to wait for some more time as the annual supplement to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) of the Commerce Ministry has been delayed for a few weeks.

“It is expected that the annual supplement to the FTP would be announced here by the third week of April and address both the immediate and medium term concerns of exports and to give a fillip to Indian exports,” said an official statement today.

Earlier the government had indicated that it will be unveiled in the first week of April.

Exporters are reeling under global slowdown and their shipments have dropped by 4 per cent to USD 266 billion during the 11 months of fiscal 2012-13.

Exports of engineering goods, gems and jewellery, textiles and petroleum products have particularly witnessed decline.

In terms of value, the MSME sector accounts for about 45 per cent of the manufacturing output and 40 per cent of the total exports of the country.

The sector also employs about 595 lakh persons in over 261 lakh enterprises throughout the country.

Exporters with shipment to Latin America, Africa, the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, the Near East, Far East and South and Southeast Asia can expect some benefits.

In December 2012, the government had announced an incentive package for exporters. (KNN)