Introduction: The Government of India, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), has issued Notification No. 03/2023 dated 5th April, 2024. This notification allows for the export of essential commodities to the Republic of Maldives for the fiscal year 2024-25.
Detailed Analysis: The notification, empowered by the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, as amended, along with the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023, facilitates the export of various essential commodities crucial for sustaining the Maldivian economy. These commodities include eggs, potatoes, onions, rice, wheat flour, sugar, dal, stone aggregate, and river sand.
The quantities permitted for export have been specified, ranging from millions of metric tons of river sand to significant quantities of food items such as rice and wheat flour. Notably, the notification explicitly exempts the export of these commodities from any existing or future restrictions or prohibitions during the specified period.
Furthermore, it mandates certain conditions for the export of river sand and stone aggregate. Suppliers are required to obtain appropriate clearances, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, particularly concerning mining activities in prohibited zones.
Additionally, exporters must obtain necessary environmental clearances and No Objection Certificates from designated nodal authorities of respective State Governments, with due consideration given to state legislation and judicial orders pertaining to sand and stone aggregate mining.
Conclusion: In summary, the notification signifies a significant step towards fostering bilateral trade between India and the Republic of Maldives. By allowing the export of essential commodities and streamlining regulatory processes, it aims to enhance economic cooperation and strengthen diplomatic ties between the two nations. This move is expected to have positive implications for both economies, facilitating the flow of goods essential for the well-being and development of the Maldivian populace.
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Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan
Notification No. 03/2023 – DGFT | Dated : 5thApril, 2024
Subject: Supply of essential commodities to the Republic of Maldives during 2024-25.
S.O. 1624(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act. 1992 (No.22 of 1992), as amended, read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023. the Central Government hereby allows export of the following quantities of Eggs, Potatoes, Onions. Rice, Wheat Flour, Sugar, Dal, Stone Aggregate and River Sand to the Republic of Maldives during 2024-25, under bilateral trade agreement between Government of India and Government of Maldives :-
| S. No. | Commodity | Unit | Quantity to be allowed for FY 2024-25 |
| 1. | Eggs | Nos. | 427.536,904.20 |
| 2. | Potatoes | MT | 21,513.08 |
| 3. | Onions | MT | 35,749.13 |
| 4. | Rice | MT | 124,218.36 |
| 5. | Wheat Flour | MT | 109,162.96 |
| 6. | Sugar | MT | 64,494.33 |
| 7. | Dal | MT | 224.48 |
| 8. | Stone Aggregate | MT | 1.000,000.00 |
| 9. | River Sand | MT | 1,000,000.00 |
2. Export of the above items to the Republic of Maldives shall be exempted from any existing or future restriction/prohibition during 2024-25.
3. For the export of above quantity of River Sand and Stone Aggregate, CAPEXIL shall ensure that the suppliers/extractors have obtained appropriate clearances and mining of the sand is not undertaken in the Coastal Regulation Zone Area, which is prohibited under the Coastal Regulation Zone notification.
4. In addition to above, export of River Sand and Stone Aggregate will be allowed subject to the exporter obtaining necessary environmental clearances/No Objection Certificate from the designated nodal authority of respective State Governments from where the River Sand is obtained. This permission will also be subject to any State legislation/judicial orders relating to mining of ‘River Sand’ and `Stone Aggregate’.
5. Effect of this notification:
Export of Eggs, Potatoes, Onions, Rice, Wheat Flour, Sugar, Dal, Stone Aggregate and River Sand have been permitted to the Republic of Maldives under bilateral trade agreement between Government of India and Government of Maldives during 2024-25 as per the quantities indicated in the Table at Para 1 above. The export of above items to Republic of Maldives will be exempted from any existing or future restriction/prohibition on export.
(Santosh Kumar Sarangi)
Director General of Foreign Trade
Ex-officio Additional Secretary. Government of India
E-mail: [email protected]
(Issued from F. No. 01/91/171/59/AM20/EC/E-20816)
