The Hindu : Five-pronged strategy to boost exports: Padmanabhan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 23, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Pondicherry

Five-pronged strategy to boost exports: Padmanabhan

By Our Staff Reporter

Pondicherry March 22. The Pondicherry Chief Secretary, R Padmanabhan, has said there should be an aggressive pursuit to enhance export opportunities and a policy would be finalised very soon by the Administration.

Addressing a one-day conference on opportunities for export enhancement, organised by the Confederation of the Indian Industry in collaboration with the Department of Industries here today, Dr. Padmanabhan said a five-pronged strategy was being pursued to augment exports to Rs. 600 crores by 2010 from Rs 300 crores.

The new strategy was aimed at promoting proper mindset, environment, delivery and follow up action so that newer areas could be exploited.

Dr. Padmanabhan, who is also chairman of the government-owned AFT mills, said minerals, chemicals, plastics and textiles formed a big chunk of exports from here. Interaction would be held soon to export AFT-made products to Australia and New Zealand. The marketing personnel of the mill would hold dialogues with their counterparts in these countries.

Referring to broader policies to enhance exports, Dr. Padmanabhan said a guidance cell would be established to help the targeted groups to know full details of the potential. A need had arisen to provide venture capital for exports as it would act as a fulcrum around which exports would be encouraged.

Mr. Padmanabhan said Pondicherry, utilising its French connection, would strengthen water supply scheme and implement the underground sewerage system. The Information Technology would also be given a boost. The Vision 2020 document released recently also aimed at exploiting the French connection.

Minister's concern over agitations

The Industries and Welfare Minister, M Chandirakasu, who inaugurated the conference, said the uniform sales tax had affected the industrialisation. He referred to an instance of how an Industrial Growth Centre developed in Karaikal had become defunct.

He expressed concern over frequent agitations and demonstrations in Pondicherry. Before airing any grievance or comment there should be an analysis of the situation. ``We should not close our eyes to the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs while establishing industries. The sudden shift in policies affect entrepreneurs adversely. Besides pressure from banks on repayment of loans, environmental aspects, insistence of opening deposits by banks under certain aspects of the industrial development add to the entrepreneurs' woes.''

T Kannan, Chairman of CII (Southern Region), said the proactive approach of the Administration had been an advantage for industrialisation. He appealed to the Government to ensure that a part- time B.Tech course was started in the local engineering college.

Among those who were present included the Secretary to Department of Industries, Narendra Kumar, and the Director of Industries, Sundaravadivelu.

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