INDIA
India has signed a protocol to revive the export of tobacco leaf to China, in a bid to reduce its US$63 billion trade deficit. The first such agreement was signed in 2008.
A statement released by India’s department of commerce said, “The revival of the phytosanitary protocol with China will pave the way for revival of Indian tobacco exports to China and prove economically beneficial to Indian farmers.”
The department also said, “Quality tobacco on par with international standards is available in India at competitive prices and there is good potential for export of Indian tobacco to China.”
This new development came after China allowed imports of non-Basmati rice and sugar from India. China has also expressed interest in importing pomegranate, grapes, soymeal, fish oil, and fish meal from India.