Date:07/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/07/stories/2004080702751900.htm

Back ICCI tells Kerala to draft export policy to curb declining trend

Our Bureau

Kochi , Aug. 6

THE State Government should prepare a draft export policy in consultation with the business community in view of the poor export performance of Kerala, Mr P.M. Muraleedharan, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has said.

Though India's export figures registered an increase of 16 per cent in 2003-04 touching Rs 3,49,582 crore against Rs 2,99,290 crore in 2002-03, he said, Kerala recorded a decline as its exports dropped to Rs 12,682 crore from Rs 12,890 crore due to its backward position among the other southern States.

The share of other southern States such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka was Rs 22,470 crore (11 per cent increase), Rs 44,545 crore (7.5 per cent) and Rs 39,670 crore (37.3 per cent), respectively, he added.

He was addressing a seminar here on "Export awareness with special reference to Kerala' organised by The India Trade Promotion Organisation in association with the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr N.R. Pai, President of the Cochin Chamber, said that exports were one of the essential sides of the economy and unless the economic reform process were taken to their logical levels, they were bound to be affected.

Earlier, inaugurating the seminar, Mr Paul Antony Development Commissioner, Cochin Special Economic Zone, called for concerted efforts to promote exports from the State.

The initiatives taken by the Government to develop Cochin Port Area as a special economic processing zone for promoting exports are a welcome step especially in the context of the proposed Vallarpadam container terminal project.

He also emphasised the need for chambers of commerce and other organisations of exporters coming forward with specific proposals.