Applications for allocation of Tariff Rate Quota(TRQ) under India Mauritius CECPA for the year 2021 22

## Report on Amendment to Foreign Trade Policy Regarding India-Mauritius CECPA Tariff Rate Quota **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a public notice issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which amends the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 concerning the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) under the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement (CECPA). The core purpose of the amendment is to extend the deadline for submitting online applications for the allocation of TRQ for the financial year 2021-22. The key finding is that businesses now have an additional month, until January 31, 2022, to apply for import authorization under the India-Mauritius CECPA. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Public Notice No. 38/2015-2020, issued on November 22, 2021, by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The report focuses on the changes introduced by this notice regarding the application deadline for Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocation under the India-Mauritius CECPA. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This Public Notice is an amendment to the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020, specifically modifying Public Notice No. 31/2015-2020 dated October 28, 2021. * **Core Objective(s):** The objective of this amendment, as derived from the text, is to extend the deadline for online applications for TRQ allocation under the India-Mauritius CECPA for the financial year 2021-22. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **Reason for Amendment:** The amendment likely aims to provide applicants with additional time to prepare and submit their online applications for TRQ allocation under the India-Mauritius CECPA. While the reason is not explicitly stated, extending the deadline suggests potential issues with the initial application period, such as insufficient time or unforeseen circumstances impacting applicants. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment specifically targets "condition ii f of Annexure III to Appendix 2A of Public Notice No. 31/2015-2020 dated 28th October 2021." * **New Rule/Provision:** The new rule extends the deadline for inviting applications for grant of import authorization from December 31, 2021, to January 31, 2022, for the current financial year 2021-22. * **Effect of Change:** The effect of this change is to provide businesses an additional month to prepare and submit their applications for TRQ allocation under the India-Mauritius CECPA. This effectively gives affected parties more time to comply with requirements for import authorization. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are businesses and individuals involved in the import of items under the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) under the India-Mauritius CECPA. This includes importers who intend to utilize the preferential tariff rates available under the agreement for the financial year 2021-22. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is the responsible agency for implementing this amendment. * **Timelines or procedures:** The amendment specifies a new deadline of January 31, 2022, for the submission of online applications. All other modalities from the original notice remain the same, implying that the existing application procedures remain in effect. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to facilitate a greater number of applications for TRQ allocation under the India-Mauritius CECPA by providing applicants with more time. This may lead to increased utilization of the preferential tariff rates under the agreement, potentially boosting trade between India and Mauritius. The impact of the extension on import volumes or overall trade activity cannot be determined from the provided text alone, but this small change should enable firms to participate in the program that would otherwise be excluded. **9. Conclusion:** Public Notice No. 38/2015-2020 extends the application deadline for Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocation under the India-Mauritius CECPA for the financial year 2021-22 from December 31, 2021, to January 31, 2022. This amendment provides affected businesses with additional time to prepare and submit their applications, potentially leading to increased utilization of the agreement and enhanced trade between the two countries. The change, while limited, reflects a responsiveness to the needs of the trading community in navigating international trade agreements.

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