Implementation of MoU between Government of Republic of India and Government of Republic of Malawi for import of pigeon peas from Malawi

## Report on Public Notice Regarding Import of Pigeon Peas from Malawi **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes Public Notice No. 21/2015-2020, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on September 6, 2021. This notice outlines the procedures and modalities for the import of 50,000 MT of tur (pigeon peas) from Malawi under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of India and Malawi. The notice specifies import quotas, permissible ports of entry, and certification requirements. The key finding is that this notice establishes a clear, albeit bureaucratic, process for importing pigeon peas from Malawi under the agreed-upon MoU. **2. Introduction:** This report provides a comprehensive overview of Public Notice No. 21/2015-2020, concerning the import of pigeon peas from Malawi. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notice and aims to inform affected industry stakeholders about the key provisions and implications of this policy announcement. **3. Policy Overview:** This Public Notice is being issued in continuation of Public Notice No. 8/2015-2020 dated June 24, 2021, and in exercise of powers conferred under paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020. * **Core Objective:** To implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Malawi for the import of 50,000 MT of tur (pigeon peas) by India. This involves laying down the procedures and modalities for complying with the provisions under the MoU. **4. Background and Rationale:** The provided text indicates that the Government of India has entered into an MoU with the Government of Malawi to import 50,000 MT of pigeon peas annually for the next five financial years (2021-22 to 2025-26). This public notice likely aims to clarify the specific processes and requirements for private traders to import pigeon peas under this agreement. Without the clarification, trade may not be able to happen between the two countries, or be vulnerable to improper certifications and entry. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This public notice establishes the following key provisions for the import of 50,000 MT of tur pigeon peas from Malawi during the fiscal year 2021-22: * **Import Quota:** An annual quota of 50,000 MT of tur pigeon peas of Malawi origin is allowed to be imported through private trade over the next five financial years, i.e., from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (April to March). * **Permitted Ports:** Imports are permitted only through the following five ports: Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hazira. * **Certificate of Origin:** Importers must present a "Certificate of Origin" certified by authorized signatories of the Customs and Excise Division of the Malawi Revenue Authority with stamps provided by the Government of Malawi. This certificate is being shared with concerned Customs authorities of the above ports and CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs). * **Email Procedure:** The designated authority in Malawi providing the Origin Certificate must send a scanned copy to policy2dgftgov.in. Importers in India must also send a scanned copy of the certificate, along with their IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) details, to the same email address (policy2dgftgov.in) to request a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from DGFT. * **NOC Issuance:** DGFT will compare the documents sent by the Malawian authority and the Indian importer. Based on this comparison, DGFT will issue an NOC to the applicant importer, which will then be used by Customs to clear the consignments. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Indian importers of pigeon peas. * Malawian exporters of pigeon peas. * Customs authorities at the specified Indian ports (Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hazira). * The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). * The Customs and Excise Division of the Malawi Revenue Authority. * The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the MoU and issuing NOCs. Customs authorities at the specified ports are responsible for clearing consignments based on the NOC. * **Procedures:** The procedure involves the exchange of scanned documents via email, verification by DGFT, and issuance of an NOC. The timeline for processing the NOC is not specified in the text. The onus is placed on the importer to provide documentation and follow the prescribed email procedure. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this public notice are: * Facilitating the smooth import of 50,000 MT of pigeon peas from Malawi annually, as per the MoU. * Ensuring the authenticity of the origin of the imported pigeon peas. * Establishing a clear and transparent process for importers. * Preventing the import of pigeon peas through unauthorized channels. **9. Conclusion:** Public Notice No. 21/2015-2020 provides critical details regarding the implementation of the MoU between India and Malawi for the import of pigeon peas. It outlines the import quota, designated ports, and a specific certification and verification process. While the process may be somewhat bureaucratic, it aims to ensure the smooth and legitimate import of pigeon peas from Malawi. Adherence to the specified procedures is crucial for Indian importers to benefit from this agreement.

Key Entities Referenced