Export promotion Councils: Export promotion council are non-profit organization registered under the companies Act or societies registration Act as case may be. They are supported by financial assistance from the central government.

The main role of the EPCs is to project India image abroad as reliable supplier of high quality goods and services. In particular EPC encourage and monitor the observance of international standards and specification by exporters. EPC keep abreast of trends and opportunities in international market for goods and services and assist their members in taking advantage of such International markets for goods and services and assist their members in taking advantage of such opportunities in order expand and diversify.

Functions:

Registration of exporters and registration-cum-Membership certificate (RCMC) under EXIM policy.

Providing a forum and link between govt and their members for consideration and implementation of scheme for export production and marketing.

Collection and dissemination of information primarily on export opportunities through various media, including news papers, bulletins, letters, fax.

Sponsoring and inviting business delegations, sales team, study teams, for exploring markets for developing export.

Fixation of floor price or minimum export price or recommendation thereof to the government.

Arranging or participating in buyers and sellers meet , export of trade fairs and exhibition in India and abroad, publicity of goods in foreign market.

Recommendation in formulation and implementation of export assistance schemes such fixation of duty drawback.

Issue pertaining to production and marketing of products.

Fixation of export quota.

At present there are 21 EPC dealing with various commodities, such as basic chemicals , and allied products, cotton textiles, handlooms, apparels, cashew, gem and jewellery, silk, marine product, carpets, leather manufactures, gems and jewellery, plastic, spices, sport goods, eng goods, tobacco, wool, handicraft, electronics and computer software.

Registration-cum-membership certificate (RCMC): Any exporter can apply to become member of EPC, and shall be considered and disposed of within one month in accordance with rules and regulations of EPC. On being admitted to membership, application is granted a RCMC.

An exporter should obtain RCMC shall declare main line of business in the application which shall be made to export promotion council. If the export product is not covered by any EPC, then the exporter may obtain the RCMC from FIEO for eg Services. In case of exporter for services it can register with FIEO or with Electronic and software export promotion council.

There is prescribed form ayaat and niryaat form, along with certified copy of IEC no, certificate in support of banks financial soundness. The licence granted shall be valid for 5 years. In order to claim export, import benefits RCMC is must. RCMC gets cancelled if there is any violation of terms and conditions.

Commodity Boards are boards, which have been specially established by the Government of India for the promotion of some of the traditional commodities of exports having high export potentials. These boards are supplementary to the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs).

The functions of Commodity Boards are similar to that of EPCs.

Operating Commodity Boards :

At present, there are seven Commodity Boards in India.

Coffee Board.

Rubber Board.

Tobacco Board.

Spice Board.

Central Silk Board.

Tea Board.

Coir Board.

Functions of Commodity Boards

Commodity Boards are statutory in character and operate under the administrative control of the "Ministry of Commerce".

The major functions of the Commodity Boards are:

To takes active interest in production, development and exports of respective commodities.

To introduce new methods of cultivation of commodities.

To offer advice to the government on export matters such as fixing quota for exports and significant trade agreements.

To provide trade information, guidance and various other services to their members and help them in their export promotion efforts.

To participate in trade fairs and exhibitions abroad.

To sponsor trade delegations and conduct market surveys for the benefit of their members.

To arrange pre-shipment inspection for export items.

Difference Between EPCs and Commodity Boards

Commodity Boards look after the export promotion of primary and traditional items of exports while Export Promotion Councils look after the export promotion of non-traditional items like engineering goods, computers, chemicals, etc. with promising export potential.

EPCs are concerned only with the promotion of exports of their respective products; the scope of Commodity Boards is much broader. The functions of Commodity Boards also encompass the development and production of the respective commodity and domestic marketing.

Indian Trade promotion Organisation (ITPO) : ITPO was set up by ministry of commerce, government on 1st January 1992 with its head quarter at New delhi. It has five regional offices at Mumbai, Banglore, Kolkotta, Kanpur, Chennai and four offices in germany, Japan, UAE and USA.

Functions:

Organises Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, seminars, workshop, seminar

Assists in Technological, product development, foreign collaboration, joint venture, marketing-tie up.

Helps in establishing overseas contract.

It organises buyers and sellers meet with view to bring buyer and seller together. It also invites overseas buyers and organises their meeting with Indian supplier.

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade( IIFT) was set up govt of India in 1963.

Functions:

Training and imparting education in international business. Its specialization in international business and a global out look makes it unique among management schools in India.

IIFT conducts market studies and surveys in the overseas market and tries to find out the demand for Indian products in overseas market. IT Supplies this information to the exporters . The exporters can use information while making export marketing decisions.

Organises Seminars and Workshops: IIFT organises seminar, and workshops in a number of export marketing areas, such . export pricing, export promotion, etc. Exporters can to advantage of such workshops and seminars by taking active part them.

Trade Delegations: IIFT sends delegates abroad to study overseas markets and also to interact with overseas importer. At the same time, it invites delegates from abroad, who can study Indian market conditions and can also interact with Indian exporters.

Publications: A large part of the IIFT's research work - published in the form of study reports, monographs, status papers, etc. for wider dissemination among the business community, government departments and academic fields.

The institute publishes:

Foreign Trade Review (FTR), a quarterly journal.

Focus WTO, a bimonthly magazine.

Technology Exports, a quarterly newsletter.

Research and Consultancy: IIFT has so far brought out over 570 research studies and surveys. It also acts as a consulting house for solving the problems of the exporters and importers. IT analyses the international business environment and develop appropriate corporate strategies for the overseas markets.

Management Development Programmes: Combining a unique blend of research and consultancy, IIFT has been a pacesetter addressing to the needs of business executives by continuo aligning the focus of its Management Development Program with the changing realities. As a result, its intensive short duration programmes have received the most enthusiastic response.

Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP): was set up as a national institute jointly by ministry of commerce, government of India, Indian packaging industry in 1956, with its head office in Mumbai and Regional offices at Kolkota and Chennai.

Functions :

Training Programmes: It organises a number of training programmes pertaining to packaging and also provides suggestions in regard to packaging.

Testing Facilities: It also undertakes testing of packing materials and packages to ensure export quality.

UN Certification: All dangerous goods packages need a UN certification mark before they can be dispatched. IIP is the only authorised body in India to give this certification.

Environmental Cell: The institute has an environment cell, which guides exporters as to what type of material can be used or incorporated in the packaging of their products so as to reduce environmental threats.

Research and Development: It undertakes research and development programmes for creating and improving overall infrastructural facilities for achieving packaging improvement so as to prevent losses during transportation.

Collection and Dissemination of Information: It collects information on various packing and packaging strategies and disseminate them to the exporter for their benefits. An up-to-date information on packaging developments can be availed on its website, "http://www. iip-in.com".

International Recognition: The institute is closely linked with international organisations. It is recognised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and International Trading Centre (ITC) for consultancy and training.

International Membership: It is a member of the Asian Packaging Federation (APF); the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPPA), USA; the Institute of Packaging (IOP) UK;, Technical Association for Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) and the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

Other Functions:

It also carries out graphic designing for international products. It advises the government of India for all export related packages.

It is not binding or compulsory for an organisation or company to be a member of IIP. However, on being a member one can avail the benefits of services provided by IIP, specially testing facilities for packages to ensure high quality.

Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA):

Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) was set up in accordance to the recommendations of the Committee on Commercial Arbitration constituted by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. It was set up on 15th April 1965 as an autonomous non-profit organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The main objective of the Council is to promote the use of commercial arbitration, particularly in the course of India's export trade.

ICA is a member of the Federation of International Commercial Arbitral Institution and has mutual co-operation agreements with the. International Court of Arbitration, the London Court

of Arbitration and apex arbitration bodies in Thailand, Republic of Korea, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, Malaysia, Australia, USA, Denmar, Mauritius, Russia, Germany, Egypt, Switzerland, Japan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa and more.

Functions of Indian Council of Arbitration

The council provides arbitration facilities for all types of domestic and international commercial disputes.

It uses its network of offices for conciliation of international trade complaints received from Indian and foreign parties, for nonperformance of contracts or non-compliance with arbitration awards.

It organises arbitration meetings, conferences, training programmes, etc., for company executives, businessmen, lawyers, arbitrators, etc., from time to time in different parts of the country.

It conducts research and publishes informative literature on different aspects of commercial arbitration, including a quarterly Arbitration Journal.

It provides information and advice to interested parties regarding the drafting of trade contracts, arbitration laws and facilities and dispute settlement procedures in India and in other parts of the world.

It keeps abreast of the latest developments, in the field of international commercial arbitration and maintains co-operative links with national and international arbitration bodies throughout the world.

Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA)

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) was constituted in 1972 under the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act 1972.

The headquarter of MPEDA is located at Kochi in Kerala. The Authority operates two overseas trade promotion offices, one at Tokyo (Japan) and the other at New York (USA). The role envisaged for the MPEDA under the statue is comprehensive, which covers organisation, coordination, regulation and growth of the export of sea products with special reference to the quality, processing, packaging, storage, transport, shipment, marketing extension and training in various aspects of the industry.