Reply: There is no export duty on forest products (logs, lumber, pulp, paper, etc.).
Canada 45:
Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249): Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure: (4) Measures Affecting Production and Trade; (v) Government Procurement: (a) Overview: paragraph 219, page 106:
The Secretariat's Report states that, "According to the authorities, reforms to date have moved India towards a more transparent and competitive procurement framework."
Could India please indicate which specific reforms the Secretariat is referring to?
Reply: Transparency and fairness in GP are values that have stand alone significance for India purely in the domestic context. We are engaged in improving our procurement systems. A number of steps have been taken in the direction of transparency and the substantive procedural requirements to achieve them, publication of contract awards, tendering through effective advertisement for open tenders; non discriminatory tender conditions and technical specifications, public tender opening, bid evaluation based on pre disclosed criteria and methodology; post award contract execution, e procurement etc. In addition, establishment of legislative framework for public procurement is under consideration of the Government.
Canada 46:
Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249): Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure: (4) Measures Affecting Production and Trade; (v) Government Procurement:(a) Overview: paragraph 220, page 106:
The Secretariat's Report states that, "the Central Government has set reservations and price preferences as part of the procurement system."
Could India please specify the reservations and the price preferences that it applies as part of its procurement system?
Reply: Transparency and fairness in GP are values that have stand alone significance for India purely in the domestic context. We are engaged in improving our procurement systems. However, carve outs and offsets are essential for the development of the sensitive sectors in a developing economy like India, and has been availed of even by other GPA signatories. The Central Government, through administrative instructions, has reserved certain products for procurement from specific sectors such as MSMEs, KVIC etc. and have been allowed price preference to a specified level. For example, 358 products belonging to respective industry sectors are reserved for procurements from Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) by State/
Central Ministries/Departments/PSUs. Instructions relating to price preference/reservation for procurement of certain items/categories of suppliers are issued by certain Ministries/Departments such are D/o Public Enterprises and M/o Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Canada 47:
Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249): Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure: (4) Measures Affecting Production and Trade; (v) Government Procurement: (a) Overview: paragraph 221, page 106:
The Secretariat's Report states that, "Some states (Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) have also passed laws to regulate public procurement."
