RBI extended its interest rate subsidy for labor intensive export sectors

12 Oct 2011 Evaluate
In order to protect from the global economy’s slowdown on exports, Reserve Bank of India extended the scheme of interest subsidy on pre and post shipment rupee export credit for labor intensive export sectors.

The exporters from the Handicrafts, Handlooms, Carpet and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be eligible for loans at 7%. “The Government of India has decided to extend interest subvention of 2% on rupee export credit with effect from April 1, 2011 to March 31”, the RBI said in its statement.

The RBI also asked banks to reduce the interest rate chargeable to the exporters as per base rate system for sectors which are eligible for export credit subsidy by the amount of subsidy available subject to a floor rate of 7%. “Banks may ensure to pass on the benefit of 2% interest subvention completely to the eligible exporters” the RBI said.

The move of the RBI is expected to provide financial support to exporters. Earlier, the High-Level Board of Trade chaired by the Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and containing leaders from industries, reviewed the situation on the back of worsening global economic situation because of slowdown in US and Europe. The Board of Trade discussed the issues like currency volatility, availability of dollar credit and high cost of credit.

However, performance of the country’s export sectors has been impressive in the first five months of current financial year. during April-August India’s exports grew by 54%, however, maintaining the current pace of growth would be difficult for Indian exports due to slowdown in global economy.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "I am apprehensive about the roll-out of next seven months. I hope we should be able to achieve $280 billion exports this fiscal."

The industry has welcomed the move of the RBI, the exporters’ organization FIEO in a statement said "We were expecting 3% and also for sectors like textile, gems and jewellery and engineering."

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