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The policy is a draft document that aims to boost the exports of Kerala by providing financial and institutional support to exporters, identifying high-growth potential areas, and creating district-wise export plans¹. The policy also proposes incentives such as capital investment subsidy, export infrastructure support, and export turnover-based incentive for eligible exporters⁴.

Some of the silent features of the policy are:

– It covers both manufacturing and service-oriented exporters, as well as merchant exporters with or without warehousing⁴.
– It establishes a State Desk for Export for speedy grievance redressal, operationalises Export Promotion Committees (EPCs) at State and district levels, and facilitates the formation of export consortiums or clusters².
– It identifies 12 high-growth potential areas for exports, such as spices, marine products, processed food, engineering goods, petrochemicals, textiles, defence and aerospace, electronics, Ayurveda and pharmaceuticals, and services²⁴.

Some of the critical views on the policy are:

– The policy is still in draft stage and needs to be finalized and implemented by January 2024². The effectiveness of the policy will depend on how well it is executed and monitored.
– The policy does not address some of the key challenges faced by exporters in Kerala, such as high logistics costs, lack of adequate infrastructure, complex regulatory environment, and low awareness of export opportunities⁵.
– The policy does not specify the budget allocation, eligibility criteria, or application process for the proposed incentives. It also does not mention how the incentives will be disbursed or audited⁴.

Source:
(1) Kerala releases draft export policy. https://www.financialexpress.com/policy/economy-kerala-releases-draft-export-policy-3291701/.
(2) Draft Kerala Export Promotion Policy 2023 published – The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/draft-kerala-export-promotion-policy-2023-published/article67476627.ece.
(3) District-wise plans, incentives, and more: Kerala govt publishes draft export promotion policy. https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/district-wise-plans-incentives-and-more-kerala-govt-publishes-draft-export-promotion-policy-1.9029006.
(4) Draft Kerala Export Promotion Policy 2023 – KSIDC. https://www.ksidc.org/initiatives/draft-kerala-export-promotion-policy-2023/.
(5) Draft Policy for Export Promotion for the state of Kerala. http://industry.kerala.gov.in/images/Export_Promotion_Policy_Kerala_1.pdf.