World Trade Organization Organisation Mondiale du Commerce Organización Mundial del Comercio

Non-life insurance sector:

There are a number of products offered by all registered general insurance companies targeting low income segment of the population. These include Janata Personal Accident Policy, Gramin Personal Accident Policy, cattle/livestock insurance etc. Further, there are a number of tailor made/group micro insurance policies offered by private and public insurers for the benefit of these segments. Micro insurance being a low-price, high-volume business, its success and sustainability depends mainly on keeping the transaction costs down.

Egypt 8:

8- Page 153 paragraph 110

What were the main sectors driving the expansion of the securities sector that took place since 2009/10?

Reply: The Securities market in India has performed better than major markets across the world since April 2009. This is an evidence of the resilience of Indian economy and reflective of the growth and dynamism of the Indian economy at large. Sectors that contributed to the expansion of the securities market include the power sector, infrastructure, banks and financial institution in 2009-10 and coal sector in 2010-11.

Telecommunications services

Egypt 9:

9- Page 160 paragraph 130

How is the development of maintenance of rural fixed-line and mobile telecom and broadband services subsidized and what is the percentage of subsidization?

Reply: There is no subsidy to rural fixed line and mobile telecom and broadband services except as provided under Universal Service Obligation Fund Scheme. Under USOF scheme, subsidy is arrived at based on competitive bidding among eligible operators.

Transport – Maritime transport – Shipping

Egypt 10:

10- Page 163 paragraph 138

What are the conditions and requirements for issuance of "no objection" certificate required for foreign flag vessels in maritime transport and for operating flights in air transport?

Reply: The Director General of Shipping has been empowered to issue licenses for Indian ships as well as for foreign ships. A General License is issued under section 406 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 for Indian vessels and vessels chartered by a citizen of India or a company, or a co-operative society. Foreign flag vessels are granted a specified period license (SPL) under section 406/407 ibid in the coastal trade of India subject to no-objection Certificate issued by the Indian National Shipowners' Association (INSA). These licenses are granted under these sections and they shall be in such form and shall be valid for such period as prescribed and further shall be subject to such conditions as specified by the Director General of Shipping, as per his guidelines issued vide SD Circular numbers 2/2002 and 2/2007 as amended from time to time on the subject.