Custom duty on precious metal raised to check cheap imports from China
The Union Budget 2023-24 has approved a research grant of Rs.242 crore over a period of 5 years to IIT Madras for lab grown diamond (LGD), enabling its indigenization through the manufacturing process.
Further, reduction of duty on LGD seeds from 5% to 0% has also been accepted which will result in reducing the cost of production of LGD growers and make Indian LGD exports globally competitive.
The grant was approved on recommendation of the Department of Commerce which also wants to create separate HS Codes for LGD.
It would enable tracking the international trade in lab grown diamonds, said the Commerce and Industry Ministry.
Custom duty on articles of precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum has been increased from 20% to 25% thereby increasing the duty differential to 10% over gold, silver, platinum bars. This will boost domestic manufacturing in the sector and result in import substitution. Custom duty on imitation jewellery has been enhanced from 20% to 25%.
“This will discourage cheap imports from China and encourage domestic manufacturing,” said the Ministry in a release on 1 Feb 2023, after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget in parliament.
The Budget has also reduced import duty of fish meal from 15% to 5% that will make the shrimp industry more competitive in the country and boost exports. The fish meal constitutes 40% of the cost of production of shrimps. This will also prevent incidence of juvenile fishing which is used for fish meal in domestic production and will thereby improve our marine fish stock availability.
Further, the recommendation of Department of Commerce for increase in import duty on compound rubber from 10% to 25% has been agreed to.
This will reduce the import of compound rubber in the country and boost demand and prices for natural rubber produced in the country.
“This will go a long way in supporting our natural rubber farmers and further increasing its production in the country,” said the Minstry.
The budget has identified financial sector as a priority sector. Measures to enhance business activities in GIFT IFSC, comprehensive review of existing financial sector regulations and support for digital payments will promote India’s financial services exports in the long run.
Integrated development of at least 50 tourism destinations and measures related to enhancement of tourist’s experience will provide impetus to foreign tourist arrival in India which will enhance tourism service exports.
Leveraging India’s demographic dividend, 30 International Skill India Centres announced in the budget will help in making Indian professionals globally competitive and will foster growth of services exports through various modes.
Reduction of Customs duty on components of mobile phones, lithium-based batteries, open cells for TV panels among others would go a long way in integrating into global value chain and enhancing India’s exports of these products.
Customs duty exemption has been provided for capital goods for manufacture of lithium – ion cells for batteries used in EVs. This would help the automobile sector in maintaining its global competitiveness.
The focus on improving the quality and productivity of Shree Anna (Millets) through R&D grant to Indian Institute of Millet Research will help in positioning India as global leader in millet production and exports. fiinews.com
