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Nodal agency to clear Basmati exports to Mauritius

Post Mauritius’ concerns on adulterated Basmati eing exported by India, the commerce ministry has nominated the Export Inspection Council as the nodal agency, which will issue a Certificate of Authenticity for all Basmati rice exports to Mauritius.

Post Mauritius’ concerns on adulterated Basmati eing exported by India, the commerce ministry has nominated the Export Inspection Council (EIC) as the nodal agency, which will issue a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for all Basmati rice exports to Mauritius. The EIC is also in the process of drafting an MoU in this regard, which will be signed by the EIC and Mauritius government.

New Delhi, in fact, is quite keen ?to extend any assistance with regard to meeting requirements of Mauritius for rice as Basmati rice is a unique geographical indication (GI) product under the WTO?.

The development comes a day after foreign investors, especially those from Mauritius, got a breather from the finance ministry that deferred the General Anti-Avoidance Rules by two years.

“Standards in India are dynamic in nature and are currently being harmonized among all relevant institutions for ensuring uniformity that will be notified when ready. We have already nominated the EIC as the nodal agency which will issue authenticity certificates for all Basmati rice exports from India to Mauritius,? said a commerce ministry official.

The move is significant because in April, the Mauritian authorities conveyed to the Indian High Commission that Basmati rice imported from India and Pakistan was being adulterated by local traders. To regulate the import and sale of Basmati rice, Mauritian authorities sought a COA to be issued by Indian authorities for exports.

Besides petroleum products, which account for more than 80% of India?s exports to Mauritius, main items of the country’s exports to Mauritius in 2011-12 were cotton, pharmaceuticals, Basmati rice, electronic goods, carpets, manmade yarn, fabrics, electrical machinery and equipment parts, meat and clothing accessories.

A significant portion of Mauritius? Basmati and non-Basmati rice requirements, worth more than $20 million in the April-September period, is sourced from India. In 2011-2012, India exported around 8.30 million tonnes of rice, of which 3.1 million was aromatic Basmati rice, while the rest was non-Basmati rice.

Mauritius had also proposed an MoU on the lines signed with the EU in this regard. This issue was discussed by the permanent secretary, ministry of industry, commerce and consumer protection with the commerce secretary in July. Thereafter, the department of commerce nominated EIC as the nodal agency responsible for issuing a COA for Basmati rice exports to Mauritius,? the official added.

“As regards the Mauritian side?s request for DNA testing of Basmati rice (prior to shipment), we have requested that exports may be permitted on the strength of the EIC?s COA. The Mauritian side?s response is awaited,? the official added.

In November last year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the continuation of the unrestricted export of non-Basmati rice in view of its adequate availability in the domestic market. The proposal was moved by the commerce ministry. This was done to enhance the export competitiveness of rice gaining access in international markets and foreign exchange earnings for the country and adding valuable foreign exchange.

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First published on: 16-01-2013 at 02:50 IST
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