Centre rolls out roadmap to boost seafood exports under TEPA

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) As part of the Centre’s outreach to help states boost exports, a Chintan Shivir on “Opportunities for the Seafood Sector under the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)” was held in Chennai to maximise the benefits of the sharp reduction in tariffs which are now available under the trade pact.

The high-level brainstorming session, organised by the Centre’s Department of Commerce and held on the sidelines of Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre last week, highlighted that TEPA offers substantial strategic advantages for Indian seafood exporters through significant tariff concessions.

Under the Agreement, Iceland has eliminated its 55 per cent import duty on feed, including fish feed. Switzerland has reduced the import duty on fats and oils of fish (other than liver oil) from 18.05 per cent to zero. Similarly, Norway has eliminated its 13.16 per cent import duty on feed, including fish and shrimp feed, reducing the tariff to zero and enhancing market access for Indian exporters.

The TEPA opens avenues for technology transfer, joint ventures and collaboration with niche technology firms from EFTA countries, while significantly expanding export opportunities for fishermen and seafood stakeholders, particularly in coastal states such as Tamil Nadu.

TEPA is India’s first trade agreement with the EFTA member states comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Collectively, the EFTA economies account for a combined GDP of approximately $1.79 trillion and are among the world’s leading players in merchandise and services trade. TEPA is also India’s first operational trade arrangement with a European economic bloc, complementing the country’s ongoing trade engagements with the European Union and the United Kingdom. The Agreement carries an ambition to facilitate $100 billion in investments into India and support the creation of one million direct jobs.

The Chintan Shivir was attended by Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Mohit Yadav, along with representatives from Invest India, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Regional Office, Chennai, the Export Inspection Council (EIC), and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). Leading exporters from the seafood sector and businesses targeting EFTA markets also participated in the deliberations.

Addressing the participants, Yadav provided a comprehensive overview of the India-EFTA TEPA and highlighted the wide-ranging trade and investment opportunities available to Indian businesses under the Agreement.

A representative from Invest India delivered a detailed presentation on emerging investment opportunities across the Indian seafood value chain. This was followed by a presentation by a DGFT representative outlining various export promotion and facilitation schemes aimed at enhancing ease of doing business and improving the competitiveness of Indian exporters. Representatives from EIC and FIEO also shared insights on regulatory requirements, quality standards and strategies for effectively leveraging the benefits available under TEPA.

–IANS

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Resilient infrastructure could halve GDP losses after disasters: CDRI

Belem (Brazil), Nov 17 (IANS) Investing in resilient infrastructure could cut GDP losses from disasters by half between now and 2050, a new modelling released on Monday at the underway COP30 by the New Delhi-based Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

The CDRI has analysed the broader economic impact of climate-related disasters across a representative sample of eight climate-vulnerable countries — Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, and the Philippines.

Key findings include infrastructure disruptions account for 80 per cent of disaster-related losses across the eight nations; the true economic cost of infrastructure failure can exceed physical damage by more than seven times; and without urgent investment the annual GDP losses could reach 14.5 per cent in Bangladesh and 12.9 per cent in the Philippines by 2050, with the average rising from 5.2 to 7.4 per cent.

With up to $800 billion in infrastructure assets exposed to disasters each year and 14 per cent of global GDP growth at risk, increasing resilience now can safeguard economies.

According to the report, once a disaster has occurred, reconstruction over 10 years can halve long-term GDP losses from more than seven per cent to just three per cent, while completing recovery in just four years cuts this further to just over two per cent.

Wider research by CDRI indicates that building disaster-resilient infrastructure increases project costs by only five to 15 per cent, while delivering returns that are seven to 12 times greater.

Included within the report are the results of CDRI’s global survey of business leaders, which shows 61 per cent of infrastructure companies allocate less than 10 per cent of their budgets to resilience, while 24 per cent allocate nothing at all.

The survey found that the absence of dedicated, ring-fenced budgets continues to limit early-stage preparedness and restricts the ability to proactively strengthen infrastructure before disasters strike.

Most of the infrastructure the world will need by 2050 is still to be built. As trillions are mobilised to deliver this next-generation infrastructure, CDRI is urging governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to make resilience a non-negotiable standard.

Responding to the report, CDRI Director General Amit Prothi said: “Resilient infrastructure is a catalyst for sustainable growth. Every dollar invested in resilience pays for itself many times over, protecting lives, livelihoods, and public finances. Now is the time to embed resilience into national planning and policy to safeguard future prosperity.”

–IANS

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Messi event chaos: DCP Bidhannagar suspended, Salt Lake Stadium CEO removed

Kolkata, Dec 16 (IANS) The Mamata Banerjee government on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar Commissioner of Police Mukesh Kumar, suspended the Bidhannagar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and removed the CEO of Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) following widespread chaos during Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT India Tour’ event held on December 13.

The state government has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior IPS officers to conduct a thorough probe into the incident. The actions were taken based on a preliminary report submitted by an enquiry committee constituted by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“In pursuance of the preliminary report dated December 15 of the Enquiry Committee constituted to examine the incident at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), Salt Lake, on December 13, the administrative actions have been taken,” a statement issued by the office of the Chief Secretary said.

According to the statement, DGP Rajeev Kumar has been served a show-cause notice and asked to explain within 24 hours the reasons for the alleged mismanagement and lapses at the stadium, including the lack of proper coordination with stakeholders and the private organiser to ensure smooth conduct of the event.

Bidhannagar CP Mukesh Kumar has also been served a show-cause notice and directed to submit a clarification within 24 hours regarding the role and conduct of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate in managing the event.

The government has suspended Aneesh Sarkar (IPS), DCP, Bidhannagar, and initiated departmental proceedings against him for alleged negligence in the discharge of his duties on the day of the event. He will remain under suspension until the completion of the enquiry.

In addition, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, has been served a show-cause notice seeking an explanation for the lapses and mismanagement during the programme.

The statement further said that the services of Deb Kumar Nandan, WBCS (Exe) (Retd.), CEO of Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, have been withdrawn with immediate effect for his role in the mismanagement and failure to ensure proper conduct of the event.

The SIT has been constituted with the following officers: Piyush Pandey (IPS), Javed Shamim (IPS), Supratim Sarkar (IPS) and Muralidhar (IPS).

The government action follows sharp criticism after thousands of fans stormed the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, venting their anger at the organisers of Messi’s GOAT India Tour and state Sports Minister Aroop Biswas after they were unable to see the football icon properly despite purchasing high-priced tickets.

Earlier on Tuesday, the enquiry committee headed by retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy said it had identified a lack of proper supervision as the key factor behind the gross mismanagement at the event. The committee’s findings came after inspections of the stadium galleries and field over the past two days.

Following the incident, police arrested event organiser Satadru Dutta, who has been remanded to 14 days’ police custody. Five others were also arrested for allegedly indulging in vandalism at the stadium.

–IANS

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Pakistan forced to step back as conflict with Afghanistan proves too costly

New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Pakistan’s brief military confrontation with Afghanistan has exposed the country’s deep internal vulnerabilities and lack of international backing, forcing Islamabad to opt for a ceasefire instead of prolonging hostilities.

Following its airstrikes inside Afghan territory aimed at targeting Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operatives, Islamabad quickly found itself on the back foot.

Analysts say political fragility, economic strain, and foreign policy failures have rendered Pakistan incapable of sustaining a long-term conflict.

“Afghanistan has little to lose, but as a more stable nation, Pakistan should avoid irresponsible actions. Such attacks will not eliminate the TTP; they will only increase its support,” political analyst Sami Yousufzai told the Daily Asian Age.

Security expert Ihsanullah Tipu noted that over 6,000 TTP fighters could infiltrate Pakistan in retaliation.

Joshua White, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, said Islamabad’s predicament was “largely of its own making”, as the Taliban it once supported now shelters anti-Pakistan militants, the report added.

Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, compounded by rising TTP attacks and Pakistan’s expulsion of nearly half a million Afghan refugees.

“Islamabad has lost much of its strategic relevance to the West since the US withdrawal,” said Dr Chietigj Bajpaee of Chatham House.

China, Pakistan’s closest ally, refrained from taking sides, urging both countries to “remain calm and restrained”.

Soon after, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced readiness for talks “on valid conditions”.

However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid clarified that the ceasefire came at Pakistan’s “request and insistence”.

Economically, Pakistan remains in crisis. Analysts warn that further escalation could derail its fragile IMF programme and worsen its financial woes. Dawn newspaper, in an editorial, advised the government to act “with sagacity” and avoid a prolonged conflict.

As analyst Abdullah Baheer observed: “If bombing couldn’t bring Afghanistan to submission during 20 years of US occupation, Pakistan shouldn’t expect a different outcome now.”

–IANS

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