Important autonomous bodies for measuring export potential in India are given below:
1. Commodity boards:
There are five statutory Commodity Boards under the Department of Commerce. These Boards are responsible for production, development and export of tea, coffee, rubber, spices and tobacco respectively. The names and addresses of these Commodity Boards are given in Appendix II.
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2. Export Inspection Council, New Delhi:
The Export Inspection Council, a statutory body, is responsible for the enforcement of quality control and compulsory pre-shipment inspection of various exportable commodities covered under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection), Act, 1963.
3. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi:
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, registered under the Societies Registration Act, is engaged in the following activities:
(i) Training of personnel in modern techniques of international trade.
(ii) Organisation of research in problems of foreign trade.
(iii) Organisation of marketing research, area surveys, commodity surveys and market surveys.
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(iv) Dissemination of information arising from its activities relating to research and market studies.
4. Indian Institute of Packaging, Mumbai:
The Indian Institute of Packaging is registered under the Societies Registration Act. The main aims of the Institute are to undertake research of raw materials for the packaging industry, to organise training programmes on packaging technology, to stimulate consciousness of the need for good packaging etc.
5. Indian Diamond Institute:
The Indian Diamond Institute (IDI) is registered under the Societies Registration Act. It was established in 1978 with the objective of strengthening and improving the availability of trained manpower for the gems and jewellery industry by conducting various diploma/ post diploma level courses in this field. Some of the important courses conducted by IDI for the gems and jewellery sector include:
(i) Diploma in diamond processing
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(ii) Diploma in diamond trade management
(iii) Diploma in gemology
(iv) PG Diploma in diamond technology
(v) PG Diploma in gemology
(vi) PG Diploma in jewellery designing, manufacturing and appraising
The Institute is financed by the Government of India. Ministry of Commerce and the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. The Institute has been striving to augment its resources by undertaking consultancy and job works.
6. Export Promotion Councils:
There are at present eleven Export Promotion Councils under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce as given in Appendix-III. These Councils are registered as non-profit organisations under the Companies Act/Societies Registration Act.
The Export Promotion Councils perform both advisory and executive functions. These Councils are also the registering authorities under the Export and Import Policy, 1997-2002. These Councils have been assigned the role and functions under the said Policy.
7. Federation of Indian Export Organisations, New Delhi:
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), New Delhi, is an apex body of various export promotion organisations and institutions.
It also functions as a primary servicing agency to provide integrated assistance to the government recognised export houses/trading houses and as a central coordinating agency in respect of export promotional efforts in the field of consultancy services in the country.
FIEO organizes seminars and arranges participation in various exhibitions in India and abroad. FIEO is also involved in dissemination of awareness on modern information technology through the internet and home page of EDI and Electronic commerce among the exporters.
8. Indian Council of Arbitration, New Delhi:
The Indian Council of Arbitration, set up under the Societies Registration Act, promotes arbitration as a means of settling commercial disputes and popularises the concept of arbitration among the traders, particularly those engaged in international trade.
The Council, a non-profit service organisation, is a grantee institution of the Ministry. The main objectives of the council are to promote the knowledge and use of arbitration and provide arbitration facilities for amicable and quick settlement of commercial disputes with a view to maintaining the smooth flow of trade, particularly, our export trade on a sustained and enduring basis.
9. Marine Products Export Development Authority, Cochin:
The Marine Products Export Development Authority, a statutory body, is responsible for the development of the marine products industry with special reference to exports.
10. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, New Delhi:
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority is also a statutory body which serves as the focal point for agricultural exports, particularly the marketing of processed foods in value added form.
11. Public Sector Undertakings:
The following trading/service corporations function under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce:
(i) State Trading Corporation of India Ltd. (Cashew Corporation of India Ltd. being merged as a division in STC).
(ii) Mineral and Metal Trading Corporation of India Ltd. and its subsidiary Mica Trading Corporation of India Ltd.
(iii) Projects and Equipment Corporation of India Ltd.
(iv) Spices Trading Corporation of India Ltd.
(v) Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd.
(vi) Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).