 "Corporate Affairs Ministry wants competition norms in FTP")
The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) for 2008-14 would come to an end in March next year.
The Commerce Ministry has sought views of various departments and ministries, including the Corporate Affairs Ministry, on FTP.
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In its comments, the Corporate Affairs Ministry asked for ensuring healthy competitive practices in trade, an official said.
The Corporate Affairs Ministry has said FTP should keep in view the "provisions of Competition Act 2002 so that anti-competitive activities do not affect the healthy competition in Indian markets and protects the interest of consumers and ensure freedom of trade carried on by other participants in markets in India".
"The next policy (FTP) would include a long and medium term strategy so as to enhance trade competitiveness. The policy may also include measures which make our exports more competitive by boosting productivity and generate exportable surplus," another official said.
In view of the increasing current account deficit (CAD), the Department of Commerce is working out ways to enhance exports and take measures for import substitution.
The CAD, the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign exchange, touched a record high of $88.2 billion or 4.8% of GDP in 2012-13 on account of higher gold and oil import.
The government has taken several steps, including hike in gold import duty to 10% and restrictions on import of gold bars and medallions, to restrict CAD. It has also taken measures to boost exports, taking advantage of depreciating rupee.
It hopes that CAD will come down substantially to $56 billion or less. A high CAD puts pressure on the rupee, which had touched a low of 68.85 to a dollar in August.
In April-October, exports grew by 6.32% to $179.38 billion, while imports during the period contracted by 3.8% to $270.06 billion.