Enlistment of Agencies under Appendix 2E of FTP 2015 2020 authorized to issue Certificate of Origin (Non Preferential)

## Report on Public Notice Regarding Enlistment of Agencies for Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a Public Notice issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, dated December 8, 2021. The notice amends the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020 by enlisting two new agencies authorized to issue Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential). These agencies are the Powerloom Development Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) in Maharashtra and the Vadodara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) in Gujarat. This amendment aims to expand the network of authorized agencies, likely facilitating smoother trade operations for exporters requiring these certificates. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the Public Notice No. 42/2015-2020, dated December 8, 2021, issued by the DGFT, pertaining to the enlistment of agencies authorized to issue Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential) under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020. The analysis is based solely on the information provided in the policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** * This Public Notice serves as an *amendment* to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020, specifically referencing paragraph 2.04 of the policy. * The core objective of this amendment, as inferred from the text, is to expand the availability of Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) issuance services by authorizing additional agencies. **4. Background and Rationale:** The likely reason for this specific amendment is to address a potential need for increased capacity in issuing Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential). The addition of new agencies suggests a desire to streamline the process for exporters, potentially reducing processing times and geographical limitations. The inclusion of a powerloom council indicates that the need could be related to the powerloom sector. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This Public Notice introduces the following changes: * **Change:** The amendment adds two new agencies to the list of those authorized to issue Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential) under Appendix 2E of the FTP 2015-2020. * **New Rule/Provision:** The Powerloom Development Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) in Maharashtra and the Vadodara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) in Gujarat are now officially authorized to issue Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential). * **Effect of Change:** Exporters in Maharashtra and Gujarat, particularly those associated with the powerloom sector or the Vadodara Chamber of Commerce & Industry, now have additional options for obtaining Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential). This will likely reduce reliance on existing agencies and potentially lead to faster processing times. The text includes contact information for these agencies. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are: * Exporters requiring Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential), particularly those located in Maharashtra and Gujarat. * Members of the Powerloom Development Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL). * Members of the Vadodara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI). * Other agencies already authorized to issue Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential), as this amendment introduces new competitors in the service provision. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is responsible for implementing this amendment. The newly enlisted agencies (PDEXCIL and VCCI) are responsible for establishing procedures for issuing Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential) in accordance with existing regulations. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The public notice is effective from the date of issuance (December 8, 2021). Specific procedures for applying for certificates from the new agencies would need to be obtained directly from PDEXCIL and VCCI, likely through their contact information provided in the text. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of these specific changes introduced by the amendment are: * Increased accessibility of Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) issuance services for exporters in Maharashtra and Gujarat. * Reduced processing times for obtaining Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential) due to increased capacity. * Enhanced trade facilitation by streamlining the documentation process. * Greater responsiveness to the needs of exporters, particularly within the powerloom sector served by PDEXCIL and the industries served by VCCI. **9. Conclusion:** The Public Notice dated December 8, 2021, amending the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020 to enlist the Powerloom Development Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) and the Vadodara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI) as authorized agencies for issuing Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential), is a significant step towards streamlining trade processes. The amendment is expected to benefit exporters in Maharashtra and Gujarat by providing greater accessibility and potentially faster processing times for obtaining these essential trade documents.

Key Entities Referenced