Offer reciprocal zero duty for smartphones

Pankaj Mohindro, Chairman, India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), has suggested that India could offer reciprocal zero duty on smartphones.

Expressing strong optimism regarding the potential for a well-structured Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between India and the US, Mohindroo said that, “a BTA could offer reciprocal zero-duty treatment for key electronics products, including smartphones, hearables and wearables, colour televisions, consumer electronics and appliances, and lighting. Such an agreement would not be an extraordinary step, given that India already extends similar treatment to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries like Japan, Korea, and ASEAN nations (Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, etc.)

The long-term impact of a cautious optimistic outlook is the ballooning of our electronics exports to the US from the current level of USD 10 billion to USD 80 billion, an 800% growth by 2030,” he said.

CT Bureau