Slow growth in India’s exports has prompted the government to promote merchant exporters, who contribute almost a third of India’s exports in value terms but can’t avail of some incentives meant for manufacturer exporters.

Merchant exporters do not own manufacturing facilities but buy goods from manufacturers here and sell to overseas customers. They have the flexibility to procure goods from many sellers and sell them after negotiating the best prices to foreign buyers

They are usually able to negotiate prices with buyers, sellers and shipping lines which are better than regular exporters.

The department of commerce is mulling ways to reduce the cost of credit for them.

It is crucial to promote merchant exporters and make use of their marketing and negotiatingskills with global partners,” said an official in the know of the development.