India has taken a step to simplify export procedures for shipments to 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 move was formalised through a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
The decision is aimed at easing documentation bottlenecks and improving the ease of doing business, particularly for small and medium-sized exporters who often face delays in securing certificates of origin during peak shipping periods.
Certificates of origin are mandatory documents required by importing countries to verify the origin of goods, even when exporters are not claiming preferential tariff benefits. In many WANA markets, customs authorities routinely demand these certificates for regulatorya compliance, anti-dumping checks, and trade data verification, making timely issuance critical to avoid shipment delays.
The move comes amid India’s expanding economic engagement with the Arab world. India has already implemented free trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Oman, while discussions are ongoing to explore a similar agreement with Qatar.
IACCIA is supported by India’s ministries of external affairs and commerce and industry, and is recognised by regional organisations including the League of Arab States, the Union of Arab Chambers, and the Council of Arab Ambassadors in New Delhi. The chamber plays an active role in trade facilitation through business delegations, buyer–seller meetings, and promotional initiatives. Its inclusion is expected to provide exporters with a more specialised, region-focused certification option.
Industry representatives welcomed the decision. Vinod Kumar, President of the India SME Forum, said the authorisation would significantly ease operational challenges for smaller exporters affected by documentation delays 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 Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel, among others. The region remains one of India’s most important trading partners, driven 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 remained India’s largest export destination in the region, with shipments rising to $36.64 billion. Exports to Saudi Arabia reached $11.76 billion, while shipments to Iraq were valued at $3.27 billion.
Exports to Oman stood at $4.07 billion during the year, supported by rising trade flows, even as imports increased 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 facilitate smoother and faster trade flows between India and West Asia and North Africa.