Kolkata, Oct 25:
Engineering goods shipments crossed US$ 9 billion for the third month in a row in September with 22 out of 25 top export destinations such as China, UK and UAE recording positive growth. Out of 33 engineering product categories (panels), 27 witnessed positive growth in exports during September 2021 when compared with the same month last year.
Maximum year-on-year decline was witnessed in Zinc; Aircraft, spacecraft and parts; ships and floating structure and electrical machinery during this period. Share of engineering goods in total merchandise export was 26.65% in September 2021.
“India’s engineering exports have cumulatively increased from US$ 32.4 billion in April-September 2020-21 to US$ 52.3 billion in April-September 2021-22, registering a growth rate 61.4%.
Annualising the figure means we are well on track to achieve our target of U$ 105 billion in FY22. In the first six months, almost 49% of the target has been achieved so we are almost half-way mark,” EEPC India Chairman Mahesh Desai said.
“However, we need to observe the trend in the festival months (October and November) as holidays may lead to some slowdown in certain parts of the country and in December in Western countries,” he added.
During September, the US remained top destination for engineering goods exports with the total value of the shipment at US$ 1.29 billion, up 12.2 per cent compared to US$ 1.15 billion in the same month last year.
China was the second biggest market with total shipments growing 49% year-on-year to US$ 568 million during this period. India’s engineering goods exports to UAE grew by 48 per cent to US$ 399.6 million in September 2021 as against US$ 268.6 million in the same month last year.
Among other countries which had positive growth included Germany, Turkey, Italy, UK, Vietnam, Singapore and Mexico. Rapid pace of recovery, declining Coronavirus cases, pent-up demand and policy measures taken by the government have been key factors supporting high engineering goods exports from the country. Mr Desai welcomed the Government’s move to fast-track free trade agreements (FTAs) with as many as six countries and blocs but urged the Government to take learning from its earlier FTAs.
“The FTAs signed earlier led to an increased import especially in the ferrous and non-ferrous metal sectors from countries such as Korea and Japan.
Hence it is important for India to take a cautious stand while signing the new FTAs,” he said. Among various engineering panels and sub-groups which reported record exports during September included iron and steel, aluminium and products made from them, industrial machinery, automobiles and auto-components.
As per EEPC India analysis of exports figures for the month of September, iron and steel exports jumped 136% year-on-year to US$ 2.2 billion. Industrial machinery comprising boilers, IC engines and parts, pumps of all types, ACs and refrigerators grew by 27pc to US$ 1.37 billion in September this year as compared to US$ 1.08 billion in September, 2020. Automobiles exports comprising motor vehicle/cars, two and three-wheelers, auto components and parts posted 25% year-on-year growth in September to US$ 1.47 billion. While Zinc exports exhibited a decline since May 2021, this month also witnessed decline in Lead and Tin exports mainly on the account of decline in demand from the Chinese economy. While Aircrafts and Spacecraft parts and products recorded a decline in exports to the tune of 46.4% during September, the Ships Boats and Floating products and parts panel fell 83pc. (UNI)
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