EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCILS

The basic objective of Export Promotion Councils is to promote and develop the
exports of the country. Each Council is responsible for the promotion of a particular
group of products, projects and services. The list of Export Promotion Councils
(EPCs) and specified Agencies/ Boards which shall be regarded as EPCs are given in
Appendix - 31 of the Handbook (Vol.1)
The main role of the EPCs is to project India's image abroad as a reliable supplier of
high quality goods and services. In particular, the EPCs shall encourage and monitor
the observance of international standards and specifications by exporters. The EPCs
shall keep abreast of the trends and opportunities in international markets for goods
and services and assist their members in taking advantage of such opportunities in
order to expand and diversify exports.

Non-profit, Autonomous and Professional Bodies The EPCs are non-profit

organisations registered under the Companies Act or the Societies Registration Act,
as the case may be.
The EPCs shall be autonomous and regulate their own affairs. However, if the
Central Government frames uniform bylaws for the constitution and/or for the
transaction of business for EPCs, they shall adopt the same with such modifications
as Central Government may approve having regard to the special nature or
functioning of such EPC. The EPCs shall be required to obtain the approval of the
Central Government for participation in trade fairs, exhibitions etc and for sending
sales teams/ delegations abroad. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry/ Ministry
of Textiles of the Government of India, as the case may be, would interact with the
Managing Committee of the Council concerned, twice a year, once for approving
their annual plans and budget and again for a mid-year appraisal and review of their
performance.
In order to give a boost and impetus to exports, it is imperative that the EPCs
function as professional bodies. For this purpose, executives with a professional
background in commerce, management and international marketing and having
experience in government and industry should be brought into the EPCs.
Government support The EPCs may be provided financial assistance by the
Central Government.
Registration cum-Membership An exporter may, on application, register and
become a member of an Export Promotion Council. On being admitted to
membership, the applicant shall be granted forthwith Registration-cum-
Membership Certificate (RCMC) of the EPC concerned, subject to such terms and
conditions as may be specified in this behalf.
The major functions of the EPCs are:
1.To provide commercially useful information and assistance to their members in
developing and increasing their exports;
2.To offer professional advice to their members in areas such as technology
upgradation, quality and design improvement, standards and specifications, product
development, innovation, etc.;
3.To organise visits of delegations of its members abroad to explore overseas
market opportunities;
4.To organise participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and buyer-seller meets in India
and abroad;
5.To promote interaction between the exporting community and the Government
both at the Central and State levels; and
6.To build a statistical base and provide data on the exports and imports of the
country, exports and imports of their members, as well as other relevant
international trade data.

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC)

Incorporated in 1978, AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India that provides
invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as importers/international buyers who choose
India as their preferred sourcing destination for garments.

A quick look at how the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has been the moving force
behind lot of achievements:

From one office in 1978, it has over 40 offices in just a span of 30 years.

From just being a quota monitoring entity, AEPC is today a powerful body for the
promotion and facilitation of garment manufacturing and their exports.

For Indian exporters, AEPC is quite literally a one-stop shop for information advise
technical guidance workforce and market intelligence. Members have access to updated
trade statistics potential markets information on international fairs and assistance in
participating at these fairs. It also plays a large role in identifying new markets and
leading trade delegations to various countries.

In recent years AEPC has worked tirelessly in integrating the entire industry - starting at the
grass root level of training the workforce and supplying a steady stream of man power to the
industry; identifying the best countries to source machinery and other infrastructure and
brokering several path breaking deals for its members and finally helping exporters to showcase
their best at home fairs as well as be highly visible at international fairs the world over.

Twice a year, AEPC showcases the best of India's garment export capabilities through the
prestigious India International Garment Fair, playing host to over 350 exhibitors displaying the
exotic, the haute, the pret, the contemporary and much much more.
With AEPC's expertise and all the advantages that India has, it makes for a truly win-win
situation - Indian exporters grow stronger each year in their achievements, skills and proficiency,
while international buyers get superior solutions for their garment imports.

Some of the key functions of AEPC are:

Networking between AEPC members

Increasing the exports in volume

Adding new export markets for the exporters

Maintaining stability in the exports

Training and providing skilled manpower to the industry

Keeping the benefits of the industry in mind and recommending policy changes for the
sector to the Government.

The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council

TEXPROCIL - The international face of Indian Cotton Textiles.

Since its inception in 1954, as an autonomous, nonprofit body dedicated to promotion of exports,
The, popularly known as TEXPROCIL has been the international face of cotton textiles from
India facilitating exports world wide. Texprocil has a membership of around 3,000 companies
spread across major textile clusters in India. Its members are well established manufacturers and
exporters of cotton textile products like Cotton, Yarns, Fabrics and Home Textiles, showcasing a
dazzling array of products across the value chain.
The Council connects international buyers with appropriate suppliers and facilitates interaction
that enables them to source their specific needs. It also provides information on India's
competitive advantages, its export environment and updated position in the global market place.
Texprocil provides regular updates on international product trends, trade related issues, advances
in technology and the latest developments in the industry, as well as existing and emerging
markets. It also undertakes regular market research, organises participation in international trade
fairs, holds its own Buyer Seller Meets and facilitates international trade missions in India and
other countries.
The Council enables better understanding of Indian and International trade policies, emerging
trade issues, social and environmental compliances, quality management and sustainable
business practice.

Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC)

Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) was established by exporters under Companies Act in
the year 1982 and is a non-profit organization, set up with the objective to promote and develop
exports of Handmade Carpets, Rugs and other Floor Coverings. It is an official body of
handmade carpet exporters for promotion of exports from country and projected India's Make in
India image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality handmade carpet products. CEPC
therefore, helps in R & D, quality assurance, timely delivery of finished products across the
globe in addition to skill enhancement of weavers / artisans / entrepreneurs, strengthening base in
existing markets, identifying potential markets, educating about government policies and its
compliances, providing assistance for brand building of Indian hand-made carpets, through
publicity, participating in and organizing world renowned trade fairs, expositions and road shows
etc around the word in established markets. Also exploring potential and upcoming markets
globally for promotion of Indian handmade carpets, rugs floor coverings etc.

With a membership of over 2500 members and over 20 associations / business associations /
weavers / artisans associations, CEPC espouses the shared vision of Indian businesses and
speaks directly and indirectly for over 25000 business units. It has an expanding direct
membership of enterprises drawn from medium, small and tiny segments of carpet weaving /
manufacturing, distributive trade and services. CEPC maintains the lead as the proactive day to
day business solution provider through research and development, through organizing BSM,
RBSMs, participating in trade fairs, expositions / events at foreign shore, interactions at highest
level with Union Government and State Governments.
The Council facilitates understanding of carpets related Indian and International trade policies,
emerging trade issues, social & environmental compliances, quality management and sustainable
business practices.

In the knowledge-driven globalised economy, CEPC stands for quality,

competitiveness, transparency, accountability and business government-civil
society partnership to spread ethics-bases business practices and to enhance the
quality of life of the weavers / artisans and common people.

Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

is an organisation set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India) with aim
to promote the Indian gem and jewellery industry and its products. It was
established in 1966 and now represents almost 6,000 exporters in the sector. It has
its headquarters in Mumbai and regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai,
Surat and Jaipur.

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) was set up by the Ministry of
Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966. It was one of several Export Promotion
Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the countrys export thrust, when
Indias post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since
1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status.

The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today it represents almost
6,000 exporters in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, the GJEPC has Regional Offices in
New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It
thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a
direct and more meaningful manner.

Over the past decades, the GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs, and has
continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as
widen and increase services to its members.

Functions of GJEPC

1.Promotional Activities

As its name suggests, the primary goal with which the GJEPC was set up was to promote the
Indian g & j industry and its products.

2.Government liaison and representation

As the singular apex body of the gems and jewellery export industry in India, the GJEPC is the
voice of the industry, taking its issues to the government and seeking appropriate measures for
resolving them.

It also makes representations to the GoI from time to time for policy intervention and to shape
the EXIM policy of the country. It plays an advisory role when the Government calls upon it for
information or advice on matters related to the gems and jewellery industry internationally.

3.Fostering Industry Development

A crucial aspect of the GJEPCs functioning relates to various measures undertaken to upgrade,
upskill and generally improve the industrys standards and products.

The Council has set up various institutes across the country, foremost among them the Indian
Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) imparting international quality courses for training artisans
and designers for this industry.

COUNCIL FOR LEATHER EXPORTS

Functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India,
CLE is the apex body of the 2400 member rapidly growing Indian leather Industry. CLEs
activities are multiple and directed towards assisting its members in extending their global reach
thereby increasing their exports. CLE caters to the needs of the leather exporters and serves as a
connecting bridge between Indian leather exporters and buyers all over the world.

This way, CLE acts as a facilitator for building relationships between overseas buyers/investors
and their Indian counterparts to promote exports from the Indian leather industry. As a
government sponsored nodal agency, CLE is a one-stop source for international investors to not
only access all the information, but also avail the guidance they need, to set up a successful
venture in the Indian marketplace.

CLEs status as the apex Leather Export Promotion Organization in India also calls for its active
involvement with the Central and State Governments in the evolution of suitable action plans and
formulation and dissemination of pro-active Government policies to promote Indian leather
exports as well as the infrastructure and fiscal support available to exporters. In this whole
exercise of promoting exports, CLE works closely with its members and Government
departments in having their individual and collective problems and difficulties resolved.
Ever since its inception about two decades ago, CLE has served as a powerful engine for the
growth of the Indian Leather industry in the global market, through the adoption of modern,
transparent and superior industry practices. Its dedicated efforts have fetched rich dividends,
which is exhibited in the form of current high export growth rates and Indias significance in the
global leather market .

Role and function of commodity board in promoting export from india

1.market research
2.publicity
3.introduction of new methods of cultivation
4. introduction of new varieties and products for exports

5.To participate in trade fairs and exhibitions abroad.

6. To sponsor trade delegations and conduct market surveys.

7.To arrange pre-shipment inspection for export items.

8. To provide trade information, guidance and various other services to

their members and help them in their export promotion efforts.
9. To offer advice to the government on export matters such as fixing
quota for exports and significant trade agreements.

Operating Commodity Boards:

At present, there are six Commodity Boards in India.

1.COFFEE BOARD OF INDIA

The Coffee Board of India is engaged in the research, development, extension, quality upgrade,
market information, and domestic and international promotion of Indian coffee. Since 2002, the
board has been conducting the India International Coffee Festival, a biennial event held in India
in collaboration with other industry stakeholders.

Coir Board.
The Coir Board is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the 'Coir
Industry Act 1953 (45 of 1953)' for the promotion and development of the coir (coconut fibre)
industry in India.

It is based in Kochi and Alappuzha. The head office of the Coir Board is in Kochi and the
research and training office is in Kalavoor, Alappuzha. The coir industry is one of the traditional
industries in India that is still at its peak. The Coir Board has regional offices in different parts of
India, wherever there is a presence of any coir industry. The board works for the promotion,
research, education, and training of the coir industry. The board functions under the Ministry of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.[1]

The coir industry employs more than 7 lakh persons of whom a majority is from rural areas
belonging to the economically weaker sections of society.The Coir Board has worked actively to
support the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009.

Functions of the Board

The main functions of the Board as laid down in Section-10 of the Coir Industry Act are
given below:

1. It shall be the duty of the Board to promote by such measures as it thinks

fit the development, under the control of the Central Government, of the
Coir Industry.

2. Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of Sub Section (l) the
measures referred to therein may relate to:(a) Promoting exports of coir
yarn and coir products and carrying on propaganda for that purpose;

(b) Regulating under the supervision of the Central Government the production of
husks, coir yarn and coir products by registering coir spindles and looms for
manufacturing coir products as also manufacturers of coir products, licensing
 exporters of coir yarn and coir products and taking such other appropriate steps as
may be prescribed;

(c) Undertaking, assisting or encouraging scientific, technological and economic

research and maintaining and assisting in the maintenance of one or more research
institutes;

(d) Collecting statistics from manufacturers of, and dealers in, coir products and from
such other persons as may be prescribed, on any matter relating to the coir industry,
the publication of statistics so collected or portions thereof or extracts therefrom;

(e) Fixing grade standards and arranging when necessary for inspection of coir fibre,
coir yarn and coir products;

(f) Improving the marketing of coconut husk, coir fibre, coir yarn and coir products in
India and elsewhere and preventing unfair competition;

g) Setting up or assisting in the setting up of factories for the producers of coir

products with the aid of power;

(h) Promoting cooperative organisation among producers of husks, coir fibre and coir
yarn and manufacturers of coir products;

(i) Ensuring remunerative returns to producers of husks, coir fibre and coir yarn and
manufacturers of coir products;

(j) Licensing of retting places and warehouses and otherwise regulating the stocking
and sale of coir fibre, coir yarn and coir products both for the internal market and for
exports;

(k) Advising on all matters relating to the development of the coir industry;

(l) Such other matters as may be prescribed.

3. The Board shall perform its functions under this section in accordance
with, and subject to such rules as may be made by the Central
Government.

Rubber Board.

The functions of the Rubber Board as defined under the Act are:

1. To promote by such measures as it thinks fit the development of the rubber industry.
 2. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision the measures referred to
therein may provide for:

1. undertaking, assisting or encouraging scientific, technological or economic

research.

2. training students in improved methods of planting, cultivation, manuring and

spraying.

3. the supply of technical advice to rubber growers

4. improving the marketing of rubber.

5. the collection of statistics from owners of estates, dealers and manufacturers.

6. securing better working conditions and the provision and improvement of

amenities and incentives to workers.

7. carrying out any other duties which may be vested with the Board as per rules
made under this Act.

Spice Board.

Constitution

Spices Board was constituted on 26th February 1987 under the Spices Board Act 1986 (No. 10 of
1986) with the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board (1968) and Spices Export Promotion
Council (1960). Spices Board is one of the five Commodity Boards functioning under the
Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It is an autonomous body responsible for the export
promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and development of Cardamom (Small & Large).

Main Functions

Research, Development and Regulation of domestic marketing of Small & Large

Cardamom

Post-harvest improvement of all spices

Promotion of organic production, processing and certification of spices

Development of spices in the North East

Provision of quality evaluation services

 Export promotion of all spices through support for:-

o Technology upgradation.

o Quality upgradation

o Brand promotion

o Research & product development

Other responsibilities related to export promotion of spices:

Quality certification and control

Registration of exporters

Collection & documentation of trade information

Provision of inputs to the Central Government on policy matters relating to import &
export of spices.

Package of services for exporters/importers

Helps exporters and importers in establishing mutual contact.

Identifies competent supply sources for specific requirements of importers

Processes and forwards foreign trade enquiries to reliable exporters.

Organises a common platform for interaction between Indian exporters and international
buyers through participation in major international exhibitions and meetings.

Examine complaints from importers for corrective and preventive action

Spearheads the quality improvement programme for Indian spices.

Manages a comprehensive and up-to-date data bank for exporters and importers.

Brings together international bodies, exporters and policy makers through contact group
programmes.

Makes Indias presence felt in major international food fairs; conducts food festivals and
cooking demonstrations.
Tea Board.

Tea Board organisation And Functions

Organisation of the Board: The present Tea Board is functioning as a statutory body of the
Central Government under the Ministry of Commerce. The Board is constituted of 31 members
(including Chairman) drawn from Members of Parliament, tea producers, tea traders, tea brokers,
consumers, and representatives of Governments from the principal tea producing states, and
trade unions .The Board is reconstituted every three years.

Executive Committee

Tea Promotion Committee

Labour Welfare Committe

Development Commitee

Licensing Committe for North India

Licensing Committe for South India

Functions:
The Tea Board has wide functions and responsibilities under the direction of the Central
Government. Briefly the primary functions of the Tea Board are as under :
a) Rendering financial and technical assistance for cultivation, manufacture and marketing of
tea.
b) Export Promotion
c) Aiding Research and Development activities for augmentation of tea production and
improvement of tea quality.
d) Extend financial assistance in a limited way to the plantation workers and their wards
through labour welfare schemes.
e) To encourage and assist both financially and technically the unorganised small growers
sector.
f) Collection and maintenance of Statistical data and publication
g) Such other activities as are assigned from time to time by the Central Government.