• India is 3rd largest pharmaceutical market in the world in terms of volume and 14th largest in terms of value
• India has the largest number of US-FDA compliant Pharma plants (more than 262 including APIs) outside of USA
• India supplies 62% of the global demand for vaccines

• Exports stood at US$ 15.06 billion during 2019-20, registering y-o-y growth of 2.10% and a CAGR of 5.40% during FY15-20
• Exports during April- November 2020-21 stood at US$ 12.63 billion, accounting for 7.25% of the total merchandise exports from India during this period
• The USA was the largest export destination for pharmaceutical exports, accounting for more than 38% of the total pharmaceutical exports from India during 2019-20
• Top 5 export destinations accounted for more than 50% of the total pharmaceutical exports from India during 2019-20

• 100% FDI is allowed under the automatic route for greenfield pharma products
• FDI upto 74% is permitted under the automatic route for brownfield pharma products
• Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical key starting materials (KSMs)/ Drug intermediaries and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) was launched with the objective to boost domestic manufacturing of critical KSMs/ drug intermediaries and APIs by attracting large investments in the sectors
• Promotion of Bulk Drugs Parks Scheme was launched to bring down the manufacturing cost of bulk drugs and thereby increase the competitiveness of the domestic bulk drug industry, by providing easy access to standard testing & infrastructure facilities
• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched with the objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all

• Trade Promotion Council of India seeks incentives for SEZs - Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) suggested commerce ministry to announce measures such as incentives for special economic zones (SEZs) in the next foreign trade policy (FTP) (2020-25) with a view to boost the country's exports.

• India, UK to launch Enhanced Trade Partnership during British PM’s India visit - India and the UK have held discussions on promoting bilateral trade and investments between the two countries, and decided to launch an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) during the visit of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in India.

• Government plans to launch Common Customs Electronic Portal- Government is planning to launch a Common Customs Electronic Portal to provide all trade-related information and facilities for importers and exporters, and improve ease of doing business. The proposed portal will facilitate registration, filing of bills of entry, shipping bills, payment of duty, and viewing and response to show cause notices, audits and other related inquiries by customs authorities.

• Exports up 10.3% during Feb 1-8 - India’s exports grew by 10.3 per cent to USD 7.3 billion during the first week of February 2021 on account of strong performance by key sectors such as engineering and chemicals.

• India's coal demand in 2020-21 to be lower than expected: -India’s coal demand in 2020-21 is likely to be lower than the initial estimate of 1,085 million tonnes (MT) due to the impact of COVID-19.

• Kenya has specified minimum requirement standards for non- woven disposable wet wipes
• China has specified terms and definitions, classification, code and type specifications, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, packaging, marking, transportation, storage and appendices for foam extinguishing agents
• China has introduced a series of fire engine standards for prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection
• China has specified various standards for design, manufacture and inspection of marine search and rescue radar transponder required for global maritime distress and safety system
• The Russian Federation has introduced a temporary restriction on import of live poultry and birds eggs from India, the State of Kuwait and Senegal, due to the outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza in these countries
• China has laid general requirements against electric shock, mechanical damage, thermal burns, fire, and radiation
• Vietnam has amended the list of products and goods with unsafe capability under management responsibility of Ministry of Information and Communications
• Brazil has proposed revision of Compliance Assessment Program for automotive safety glass
• The European Union (EU) has amended rules on the making of fertilizer products available in the EU market
• Brazil has established procedures for the adequacy of registration of veterinary products when the Maximum Residue Limit – MRL changes
• The USA has proposed regulations that will allow voluntary alternatives to engineering standards for the construction, in-service inspection, and in-service testing of nuclear power plant components
• Australia has amended the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to align maximum residue limits (MRL) for various agricultural and veterinary chemicals
• Canada has updated the Canadian Susceptible Species of Aquatic Animals list (SSL) which requires zoosanitary export certification to export aquatic animals to Canada
• Japan has proposed revision of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Plant Protection Act, for import plant quarantine enforcement concerning plants
• UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Yemen have drafted technical regulations concerned with honey intended for direct consumption
• Russia has drafted regulations withdrawing authorizations for plant protection products containing alpha- cypermethrin as an active substance
• Egypt will apply import mechanism for seed potatoes starting season 2021/22
• Japan has partially amended the Standards of Manufacturing Control and Quality Control for Drugs and Quasi-Drugs to reflect good manufacturing practices
• Malaysia has proposed requirement of Import Permit and Phytosanitary Certificate for import of grains and grain products
• The USA has revised rules of labeling; nicotine content; packaging; and product quality standards and requirements for retailers that sell manufacturer sealed electronic cigarette substances
• The European Union has revised limits and added restrictions for two toxicologically relevant impurities in pesticides
• The USA has proposed rules that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) and other air pollutant emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles
• Brazil has established the mandatory requirements for companies inspecting intermediate bulk containers (IBC) intended for the transport of dangerous products
• The United Kingdom has restricted promotion of foods high in fat, salt and sugar by volume price offers in stores and online in England
• Brazil has reviewed all the regulations related to the satellite exploration and cost recovery
• Brazil has established technical requirements for the use of lead acetate, pyrogallol, formaldehyde, and para formaldehyde in personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and perfumes
• Brazil has approved instructions for re- inspection of imported edible animal products
• Brazil has established technical requirements for the execution of clinical trials with advanced therapy medicinal products