EEPC urges BRICS to remove non-tariff barriers and ease payments for export growth

EEPC India has urged BRICS nations to eliminate non-tariff barriers and establish smooth payment mechanisms, stating this could resolve about 75% of problems faced by exporters and significantly boost India's engineering exports. EEPC India Chairman Pankaj Chadha called for a common agreement on non-tariff barriers and standards among BRICS countries, emphasizing the need to move from discussion to execution. He noted non-tariff measures add more costs than tariffs, and with BRICS accounting for nearly one-fourth of global trade, removing such barriers could increase its trade share. India's engineering exports, which make up about 27% of total merchandise exports, rose nearly 25% year-on-year in August 2026 to US$12.32 billion. Chadha cited challenges including high shipping costs, geopolitical tensions, and protectionism, while expressing optimism about sustaining growth through new free trade pacts and market diversification.