<p><strong>Import duty on kernel may be hiked</strong></p> <p>Following a suggestion from Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) is preparing a strategic business plan ‘Mission 2020’ aimed at boosting the cashew industry and exports of cashew kernels in particular. Mr. Prabhu made the suggestion at the venue of Kaju India 2017, the global cashew meet organised by the CEPCI in Goa from September 17 to 19.At a press conference here on Wednesday, CEPCI chairman P. Sundran said that the suggestion for Mission 2020 from the Minister was one of the major achievements of the meet. He said the Minister said that the government would consider withdrawing the 5% duty on raw cashew imported outside the Advanced Authorisation Scheme. The CEPCI members brought to the attention of the Minister the threat posed by the Indian cashew sector from kernel import from Vietnam. The Minister said the government would consider the suggestion to hike the import duty on kernels to 70%.</p> <p><strong>Raw cashew production</strong></p> <p>Mr. Sundaran said that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who addressed the meet, gave an assurance that ample support would be given to cashew industry stakeholders for projects to increase raw cashew nut production in that State.</p>