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94 Economic Survey 2021-22

Figure B1.1: Performance of India in Global Survey on Digital and
Sustainable Trade Facilitation

a. Overall Trade facilitation score b. Scores on key indicators

90.3 2015 2017 2019 2021
78.5 28 28 56 67
63.4 67.7 Cross-Border Paperless Trade
78 78 81 96
Paperless Trade
Institutional Arrangement and 44 67 67 89
Cooperation
71 71 88 96
Formalities
80 93 93 100
Transparency
2015 2017 2019 2021
Source: UNESCAP

Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP)

Approved in October 2021, PM Gati Shakti NMP aims to provide multimodal connectivity to various
economic zones and integrate the infrastructure linkages holistically for seamless movement of
people, goods & services to improve logistics efficiency. Gati Shakti will bring 16 Ministries together
for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects like
Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, UDAN etc. It will also leverage technology extensively
including spatial planning tools with ISRO imagery developed by BiSAG-N (Bhaskaracharya
National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics). Economic zones like textile clusters,
pharmaceutical clusters, electronic parks, etc. will be covered to make Indian businesses more
competitive globally by cutting down the logistics costs and ensure proper linkages for local industry
& consumers. This will boost economic growth, attract foreign investment and create multiple

employment opportunities. (Refer Box 7 in Industry and Infrastructure chapter)
Other Initiatives to improve logistics ecosystem

Government has taken various steps in last few years to improve logistics efficiency through
infrastructure enhancement and process reforms. Some of them include introduction of FASTag,
Turant Customs, mandatory RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tagging at all EXIM bound
containers, E-San chit, Indian Customs Enquiry for Trade Assistance and Knowledge (ICETRAK),
ICEDASH (Indian Customs EDI Dashboard), Secured Logistics Document Exchange (SLDE),
Import Clearance System, GHG Calculator etc. In order to ease maritime trade, efforts are being
undertaken on development of port-specific master plans and a coordination mechanism for
implementation of the same, upgradation of select Land Customs Stations (LCS) to Integrated
Check Posts (ICPs), promoting Free Trade Warehousing Zones, etc.

Merchandise Imports

3.22 As the pandemic ebbed, India witnessed revival in domestic demand resulting in strong
import growth. The merchandise imports grew at the rate of 68.9 per cent to US$ 443.8 billion in
April-December, 2021 over the corresponding period of last year and 21.9 per cent over April-
December, 2019, crossing the pre-pandemic levels. Like in the case of merchandise exports,