Dear Members,

The WTO Global Trade Outlook and Statistics Report of 16 April 2025 has predicted a fall in the volume of world merchandise trade by 0.2% in 2025 following a surge in tariffs and trade policy uncertainty since the start of the year, and a modest recovery of 2.5% merchandise trade growth in 2026. A particularly strong decline of 12.6% was expected for North American exports. Downside scenarios include the reinstatement of suspended “reciprocal” tariffs and a global spread of trade policy uncertainty, including in relation to the still unknown outcomes of the bilateral negotiations currently taking place among a range of Members. Together, these developments could lead to a decline of 1.5% in global merchandise trade. Although not directly hit by tariffs, services trade is also expected to be adversely affected by slowing goods trade and rising policy uncertainty. The volume of world commercial services trade is projected to grow by just 4.0% in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026, less than the baseline estimates of 5.1% and 4.8% excluding the influence of tariff changes and uncertainty.

During Q1, FY 2025-26, Indian merchandise exports grew marginally by 1% to US$ 112.17 billion, while services exports are expected to grow by 11 % to US$ 98.13 billion, thus overall exports increasing by 6 % to US$ 210.31 billion. As regards SEZs, merchandise exports grew by 9% to US$ 69 billion during FY 2024-25.

There is some good news too. You will be happy to know that the Government is considering introduction of SEZ (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Monsoon Session of the Parliament starting from July 21. It was informed that the Bill has the provisions, inter-alia, for allowing DTA sale on “Duty Foregone Basis”, reverse job work, and receipt for Services rendered by SEZ units to DTA in INR. Let’s first await the Cabinet approval for the same.

On constant follow-up by the EPCES, the Government has finally restored the RoDTEP scheme for SEZs and EOUs with effect from 1.6.2025.

You will also be happy to know that EPCES has been able to get the problem of sudden deactivation of account of a number of SEZs and EOUs on Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) resolved expeditiously through constant follow-up with Commerce and Steel Ministries.

Further, with the Government’s approval of the revised Articles of Association, elections for the Central Governing Council (CGC), Regional Governing Councils (RGCs), Vice Chairperson, and Regional Vice Chairpersons are being held during July–August 2025. You are requested to actively participate to make the election a success.

With best wishes,