National

Spurt in video films export

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI March 3. Export of video films and software has registered a growth of over 65 per cent during 2000-2001 compared to the previous year, giving rise to hopes that it could emerge as a major export item like computer software, according to the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC).

The ESC executive director, D.K. Sareen, has said that Indian films and other entertainment software are in demand in destinations where there are People of Indian Origin (PIO) as also in South Asian and Far-Eastern countries where Indian culture and art forms are widely appreciated. Given the fact that the annual average growth rate of this sector is 74 per cent during the last three years, there is a possibility that the export turnover may touch the billion-dollar mark in two to three years.

According to data compiled by the ESC, in absolute terms, exports of video films and software has risen from Rs. 725 crores ( $169 million) in 1999-2000 to Rs. 1,200 crores ($261 million) in 2000-2001. This has to be viewed in the backdrop of growth in the domestic market for television software and films which is estimated to be around Rs. 6,500 crores ($1,413 million) and is expected to increase to Rs. 16,800 crores ($3,652 million) by 2005, according to Mr. Sareen.

The ESC study notes that Singapore, Hong Kong and other South Asian countries were the top destinations accounting for 85 per cent of exports. In absolute terms, exports to this region stood at Rs.1,018 crores ($221 million) in 2000-2001 as against Rs. 561 crores ($131 million) in the previous year. Export to Europe (EU countries) stood at Rs. 120 crores ($26 million) during 2000-2001 as against Rs. 106 crores ($25 million) in the previous year, a 10 cent growth.

The third largest market for export of video films and software is the U.S. and Canada, which accounts for an export turnover of Rs. 50 crores ($11 million) in the previous year, registering a marginal growth of four per cent. Exports to other destinations during 2000-2001 were West Asia - Rs. 11 crores, Japan, Korea and other East Asian countries - Rs. 0.60 crore and African countries - Rs. 0.37 crore.

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