The central government has taken an important documentation-related step to simplify the export process to countries in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region. According to government directives, the India and Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (IACCIA) has been authorized to issue non-preferential certificates of origin. The main objective of this decision is to improve ease of doing business for exporters, particularly to reduce the documentation problems faced by small and medium exporters during busy export seasons.
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India's trade relations with Arab countries are steadily growing. Free trade agreements (FTA) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman are already in effect. Preparations are also underway for discussions on a new FTA with Qatar.
A certificate of origin is a mandatory trade-related document. Importing countries use this document to verify the source of goods. This certificate is required even when not seeking duty concessions. This document is regularly requested for customs clearance, anti-dumping examinations, and trade statistics in West Asian and North African countries.
SME exporters welcome move to ease documentation
India SME Forum President Vinod Kumar said, "This decision will help improve ease of doing business for exporters, especially for small and medium enterprises that face problems obtaining certificates during busy periods." Former Chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council Arun Kumar Garodia said, "Having an authorized body to issue certificates of origin will reduce procedural bottlenecks. This document is regularly needed for trade with West Asia and North Africa."
The WANA region comprises a total of 19 countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, and South Sudan. West Asia and North Africa is one of India's major trading regions. Along with energy imports, non-oil exports are also increasing here. In the 2024-25 financial year, the value of India's goods exports to the major markets in this region was approximately 5 lakh 33 thousand crore rupees. During the same period, India's total bilateral trade with the WANA region was more than approximately 18 lakh crore rupees.
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The United Arab Emirates remains India's largest export destination in this region. In the 2024-25 financial year, India's exports to the UAE increased to approximately 3 lakh 5 thousand crore rupees. In the previous financial year, this figure was approximately 2 lakh 97 thousand crore rupees.
India's exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to approximately 98 thousand crore rupees. Export value to Iraq was approximately 27 thousand crore rupees. Exports to Kuwait decreased to approximately 16 thousand crore rupees. Additionally, India's exports to Bahrain were approximately 6 thousand 600 crore rupees.
