The Centre on Wednesday launched a new scheme to create export-related infrastructure and boost the competitiveness of India’s shipments. The scheme would have a budgetary allocation of ₹600 crore, with an annual outlay of ₹200 crore per year, and it would be implemented from FY’18 till FY’20, a Commerce Ministry statement said.
“The objective of the proposed scheme — Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) — is to enhance export competitiveness by bridging gaps in export infrastructure, creating focused export infrastructure, first mile and last mile connectivity for export-oriented projects and addressing quality and certification measures,” the statement said.
Launching the scheme, which replaces a centrally sponsored scheme — Assistance to States for creating Infrastructure for the Development and growth of Exports (ASIDE), Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “The focus is not just to create infrastructure, but to make sure it is professionally run and sustained. There will be an (inter-ministerial) Empowered Committee (chaired by the Commerce Secretary) to periodically review the progress of the approved projects in the scheme and will take necessary steps to ensure achievement of the objectives of the scheme.”
Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia said the scheme would provide assistance for setting up and upgradation of infrastructure projects with overwhelming export linkages — like the border haats, land customs stations, quality testing and certification labs, cold chains, trade promotion centres, dry ports, export warehousing and packaging, Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and ports/airports cargo terminuses. She said last- and first-mile connectivity projects related to export logistics will also be considered.
The Central and State Agencies, including Export Promotion Councils, Commodities Boards, SEZ authorities and Apex Trade Bodies recognised under the Centre’s Export-Import policy are eligible for financial support under this scheme. The Centre's funding will be in the form of grant-in-aid, normally not more than the equity being put in by the implementing agency or 50% of the total equity in the project.
In case of projects located in North Eastern States and Himalayan States including Jammu and Kashmir, this grant can be up to 80% of the total equity. The grant in aid shall, normally, be subject to a ceiling of ₹20 crore for each infrastructure project. Projects that can be covered under sector-specific schemes and not related to exports will not be supported under TIES.
