First Quarterly ‘Trade Watch’ report by NITI Aayog highlights Trade Challenges for India | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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First Quarterly ‘Trade Watch’ report by NITI Aayog highlights Trade Challenges for India

Posted 05 Dec 2024

2 min read

Key Challenges faced by India

  • Limited success in capturing 'China-Plus-One' benefits: Countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia have gained more from the China+1 strategy. 
    • Cheaper labor, simplified tax laws and lower tariffs and proactive signing of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are the key reasons for success of these countries.
  • CBAM Impact: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will impose carbon taxes on imports like cement, steel, and fertilizers starting in 2026. 
    • India’s iron and steel industry, making up 23.5% of EU exports, faces significant risks. 
  • Declining Trade Share: India’s share in global trade for labor-intensive sectors has dropped despite a strong workforce. 
  • West Asia Instability Oil price hikes ($10 per barrel) could worsen India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) by 0.5% of GDP, increasing inflation.
    •  Declining agricultural exports to key markets like Iran (e.g., basmati rice, tea) add to trade challenges.

The report calls for evidence-based policy-making to address structural inefficiencies, enhance value addition and promote entrepreneurship to secure a leadership position for India in international Trade 

About China-Plus-One

  • It refers to practice of international businesses active in China coupling their investments with a second facility, generally in another Asian economy.
  • It was driven by disruption due to China’s zero-COVID policy, growing tensions between the US and China, rising labour costs in China, etc.
  • Tags :
  • NITI Aayog
  • CBAM Impact
  • China-Plus-One
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