India eases export paperwork for West Asia and North Africa trade

India has moved to streamline export procedures for shipments bound for West Asia and North Africa (WANA) by authorising the India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (IACCIA) to issue non-preferential certificates of origin. The decision was notified through an order issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

The step is aimed at reducing documentation hurdles and improving ease of doing business, especially for small and medium-sized exporters who often face delays in obtaining certificates of origin during peak shipping periods.

Certificates of origin are mandatory documents required by importing countries to confirm the origin of goods, even when exporters are not seeking preferential tariff benefits. In many WANA markets, customs authorities routinely demand these certificates for regulatory checks, anti-dumping measures and trade data verification, making their timely issuance critical to prevent shipment delays.

The move comes against the backdrop of India’s deepening economic engagement with the Arab world. India has already implemented free trade agreements with the UAE and Oman, while discussions are underway to explore a similar pact with Qatar.

IACCIA is backed by India’s ministries of external affairs and commerce and industry, and is also recognised by regional bodies such as the League of Arab States, the Union of Arab Chambers and the Council of Arab Ambassadors in New Delhi. The chamber is actively involved in trade facilitation through business delegations, buyer–seller meets and promotional initiatives, and its inclusion is expected to offer exporters a region-specific and specialised certification option.

Industry representatives welcomed the decision. Vinod Kumar, President of the India SME Forum, said the authorisation could significantly ease operational challenges for smaller exporters who struggle with documentation bottlenecks during high-demand periods. Arun Kumar Garodia, former chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council, noted that the move would help reduce procedural delays in a region where certificates of origin are routinely required for customs clearance.

The WANA region comprises 19 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan and Israel, among others. It remains one of India’s most significant trading regions, supported by energy imports and growing non-oil exports.

According to commerce ministry data, India’s merchandise exports to key WANA markets exceeded $64 billion in FY25, while total bilateral trade with the region crossed $216 billion. The UAE continued to be India’s largest export destination in the region, with shipments rising to $36.64 billion in FY25. Exports to Saudi Arabia stood at $11.76 billion, while shipments to Iraq were valued at $3.27 billion.

Exports to Oman reached $4.07 billion during the year, even as imports from the country rose sharply due to higher energy inflows. Shipments to Qatar remained largely stable at $1.68 billion, while exports to Egypt were valued at $3.41 billion. Exports to Sudan declined amid ongoing economic and political challenges.

The DGFT said the inclusion of IACCIA in the authorised list of agencies issuing certificates of origin takes effect immediately, and is expected to support smoother trade flows with West Asia and North Africa.