Non-Tariff Measures and Indian Textiles and Clothing Exports

This paper provides some important indicators of non-tariff measures in Indian textiles and clothing exports. The paper identifies major trading partners and HS codes to study the impact of Non Taiff Measures (NTMs) on Indian exports. First, using count measures i.e. frequency and coverage ratios, suggests that more than 60% of export value is affected by the NTMs in USA, EU-25 and Canada at various points in time. Second, it calculates Ad-Valorem Equivalents using price differential methods which are imposed in the SMART model under the partial equilibrium framework to know the trade impact of NTMs. A total trade loss of about billion 2.34 US$(16.8$ thats 9.8% of base trade. Also this paper develops the framework for the primary research in the field of Non-Tariff Measures.non-tariff barriers, Ad-Valorem Equivalents of Non-Tariff Measures

DNA unwinding component of the nonhistone chromatin proteins

A subclass of nonhistone chromatin proteins from rat liver, previously shown to exhibit high affinity for DNA, has been fractionated by single-stranded DNA-agarose affinity chromatography. The protein fraction that bound to DNA-agarose in 0.19 M NaCl-buffer and was eluted with 2 M NaCl-buffer is enriched for a protein component of approximately 20,000 daltons and exhibits preferential binding to denatured DNA. This nonhistone protein fraction specific for single strands binds to DNA in a non-species-specific manner, and causes helix-coil transition of synthetic poly[d(A-T)· d(A-T)] at 25 degrees, as indicated by the increase in absorbance of ultraviolet light at 260 nm. The observed hyperchromicity does not result from any nuclease activity in the protein fraction, because addition of Mg+2 results in partial hypochromic shift, and the protein/DNA complex is retained by nitrocellulose filters

Impact of ASEAN-India FTA on India’s Plantation Commodities : A Simulation Analysis

The present study attempts a quantitative assessment of the impact of recently signed ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA) for selected plantation commodities (coffee, tea and pepper) in India. We use partial equilibrium modeling approach (SMART model and gravity model) to simulate the likely import increase of the plantation commodities under the proposed tariff reduction schedule of the AIFTA. Overall, the results suggest that the AIFTA will cause significant increase in Indias import of plantation commodities. The increase in imports is mostly driven by trade creation rather than trade diversion. From the economic efficiency point of view, trade creation improves welfare as the new imports replace the high-cost domestic production. The analysis shows that the proposed tariff reduction may lead to significant tariff revenue loss to the government. However, the gain in consumer surplus (due to the fall in domestic price and the consequent reduction in dead-weight loss) outweighs the loss in tariff revenue leading to net welfare gain. By and large, the simulations based on the SMART and gravity models provide similar results on the magnitude of total increase in imports. The surge of new imports may have adverse impact for the livelihood of the Indian farmers engaged in the production of these commodities. Farmers will have to realign the structure of production according to the changing price signals and hence it is critical to provide adjustment assistance to the affected farmers.SMART Model, Gravity Model, Simulation Analysis

Plan B Earth v Secretary of State for Transport: Airport Expansion, the Paris Agreement and the Planning Act 2008

This case analysis considers the Court of Appeal’s decision in R (Plan B Earth and ors) v Secretary of State for Transport [2020] EWCA Civ 214, which followed the High Court challenge to the Secretary of State’s designation of the UK Airports National Policy Statement. The Court of Appeal found that the Secretary of State’s failure to take into account the UK’s commitment to the Paris Agreement when carrying out his duties under the Planning Act 2008 was unlawful. While permission to appeal this decision has been granted, it remains a notable judgment. The Plan B Earth case confirms the interaction between the UK’s climate change commitments and the statutory framework of the UK’s planning system. It also highlights the complexity of the Court’s institutional role in the context of environmental problems. Analysing the implications of this decision through a policymaking lens risks overlooking the role of public law principles that shaped the Court’s reasoning, defining the relationship between the Paris Agreement and the Planning Act

Non-Tariff Measures Affecting India’s Textiles and Clothing Exports : Findings from the Survey of Exporters

This paper reports findings from the survey of Indias textiles and clothing exporters. The survey method has been used to identify and assess the impact of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) and the Cost of Compliance (COC) expenditure by the exporters. A structured questionnaire has been used to gather data from a sample of 135 exporters across eight export centers of India i.e. Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Ludhiana, Mumbai, New Delhi, Panipat and Tirupur. Results reveal that the EU and USA are most restrictive region/country covering nearly three-fourth of total NTM incidences. The technical regulations, product & production process standards and conformity assessment for technical barriers are the most frequently used NTMs among the aggregated five categories. The average COC as percentage of turnover is inversely related to the firm size, which is 0.63% for large firms and 1.32% for small firms. However, about 58% of the firms spend less than 0.5% of their turnover on COC which is much lower than overall average of 1.12% and only 26% firms spend more than 1% of their turnover in complying with NTM standards. The COC is not exorbitant and justifiable given its long term benefits. Some of the common issues about NTMs are buyer nomination of the suppliers and testing & certification agencies, stringent social compliance measures, and discriminatory treatment on the basis of standards, import duty and other benefits. Unexpectedly, the NTMs are not only seen as marketing and promotional tool but also they promote efficiency and competitiveness within the industry. Further, financial crisis has reduced the export orders/volumes and the impact is more severe on high end fashion garments where product and market diversification is unlikely due to ever changing customer preferences.non-tariff barriers, Non-Tariff Measures, Cost of Compliance

Non-Tariff measures affecting India's textiles and clothing exports: Findings from the survey of exporters

This paper reports findings from the survey of India's textiles and clothing exporters. The survey method has been used to identify and assess the impact of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) and the Cost of Compliance (COC) expenditure by the exporters. A structured questionnaire has been used to gather data from a sample of 135 exporters across eight export centers of India i.e. Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Ludhiana, Mumbai, New Delhi, Panipat and Tirupur. Results reveal that the EU and USA are most restrictive region/country covering nearly three-fourth of total NTM incidences. The technical regulations, product & production process standards and conformity assessment for technical barriers are the most frequently used NTMs among the aggregated five categories. The average COC as percentage of turnover is inversely related to the firm size, which is 0.63 for large firms and 1.32 for small firms. However, about 58 of the firms spend less than 0.5 of their turnover on COC which is much lower than overall average of 1.12 and only 26 firms spend more than 1 of their turnover in complying with NTM standards. The COC is not exorbitant and justifiable given its long term benefits. Some of the common issues about NTMs are buyer nomination of the suppliers and testing & certification agencies, stringent social compliance measures, and discriminatory treatment on the basis of standards, import duty and other benefits. Unexpectedly, the NTMs are not only seen as marketing and promotional tool but also they promote efficiency and competitiveness within the industry. Further, financial crisis has reduced the export orders/volumes and the impact is more severe on high end fashion garments where product and market diversification is unlikely due to ever changing customer preferencesNon-Tariff Barriers, Non-Tariff Measures, Cost of Compliance

Searching for common deviations from South Africaﾒs Tax Treaty Policy: The relationship with North Africa, West Asia and Eastern Europe

To achieve a degree of standardisation of the contents of treaties by their members, Model tax conventions were published by international organisations. Consequently, in 1963, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) Model was prepared by developed countries of the world and it thus embodies rules and proposals by capital-exporting countries. As it was drafted by representatives of major Western industrialised countries, lower-income, developing countries were concerned that it resulted in too large a reduction in source country tax. The developing countries responded to the success of the OECD Model by developing their own Model convention under the auspices of the United Nations (“UN”) in 1980. This Model was drafted between developed and developing countries and attempts to reflect the interests of developing countries. Although it is based upon the OECD Model, the United Nations Model Double Taxation Convention between Developed and Developing Countries retains much greater source country taxation. Several tax treaties have been promulgated over time in South Africa due to the surge in international trade and investment flows which have tax consequences. There is however, no external enforcement of the above Models in the Republic of South Africa (“RSA”) and as a direct result, deviations from these standard models occur. Both a qualitative and expository study was performed. Thereafter, this dissertation considers South Africa’s treaty practice by outlining the significant deviations between South African double tax treaties and the respective OECD and UN Models. This study examines treaties concluded between South Africa and countries situated in North Africa, East Europe and West Asia. This dissertation concludes that bilateral treaties negotiated and concluded with South Africa consistently deviate from both the OECD and UN Models. These deviations were further examined to establish whether an indicative pattern informs a particular treaty practice. A small number of these observed deviations concur with the RSA position taken on the OECD Model. Treasury needs to circulate a clear and distinct South African Tax Model since South Africa’s international trade and investment flows expand across borders. The concern that South Africa does not have a published Tax Treaty Model is likely to intensify as related parties draw on frequently changing tax Models by the OECD and UN committees which may indirectly affect a developing country’s negotiating power

Preparation of chemically modified transferrin proteins and an investigation of their reactions with DNA and other nucleic acids.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1986.The molecular biology of human genetic disorders is under intensive investigation at present. In those cases where the disorder is clearly defined in terms of altered gene structure, possibilities may exist for the correction of the disorder by insertion of normal genes through the process of DNA transfection. A possible method for the transfer of genetic material is by attempting to attach DNA to a protein which has specific receptors on cells and which undergoes receptor-mediated endocytosis. By this means one might be able to get DNA into cells. This thesis deals with experimental work on the chemical modification of human serum transferrin by means of water-soluble carbodiimides. The resulting N-acylurea transferrins bind DNA in a reversible manner. Characteristics and properties of the binding interactions are dealt with in detail. N-acylurea derivatives of transferrin were prepared with the water-soluble carbodiimides, N-ethyl-N' -(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-ethyl-N' -(3-trimethylpropylammonium) carbodiimide iodide. Reactions were carried out under mild conditions at room temperature for 48-72 hours. [³ H] N-ethyl-N' -(3-trimethylpropylammonium)carbodiimide iodide was used for the determination of covalently attached N-acylurea groups in the protein. Changes in charge properties were determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Carbodiimide modification of proteins is thought to occur at side chain carboxyl groups of glutamic and aspartic acid residues. This was confirmed by the use of Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, which cleaves peptide bonds at the carboxyl side of glutamic and aspartic acid residues, but not in the case of substituted side chain carboxyl groups. Through the use of puromycin as a nucleophile it has been shown that other functional groups were not activated upon reaction of transferrin with carbodiimide. The carbodiimide-modified proteins bind various types of DNA and RNA in a reversible manner. Low concentrations of N-acylurea transferrin retarded the migration of pBR322 DNA, M 13 mp 8 single-stranded DNA and Pst 1 restricted lambda DNA on agarose gel electrophoresis, while at higher concentrations the DNA was unable to enter the gel. Nitrocellulose filter binding assays showed that binding of DNA to Nacylurea transferrins was rapid, dependent on concentration of the modified transferrin and sensitive to ionic conditions. Binding was found to occur mainly through electrostatic interactions between phosphate groups of DNA and N-acylurea groups. These conclusions were based on experiments which showed that protein-DNA complexes were dissociated by increasing salt concentrations and by heparin. Non-electrostatic interactions such as hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding are also involved in binding, since half dissociation of complexes, induced by chaotropic salts, KSCN and NaC10₄occurs at lower concentrations of salt than in the case of NaCl. Also RNA polynucleotides inhibit binding of DNA to Nacylurea transferrins to varying extents. The N-acyl urea transferrins have been shown to bind certain specific restriction endonuclease cleavage sites on pBR322 DNA. The N-acylurea transferrin-DNA complexes would thus be suitable for experiments in cell transfections using cells which have transferrin receptors