UTNOOR (ADILABAD DT.): A paradigm shift is in the offing in the area of exports in the country going by the approach adopted by Union Minister of State Commerce Jairam Ramesh. He has said his endeavour in the job was to make `local and traditional' the `global' nature of exports practised in India and also ensure that imports do not destroy the strength of farmers in the country.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday during a breather while on visit to some of the agency areas, the Minister said the new strategy would be three-pronged. Instead of setting targets in terms of foreign exchange earnings, the new effort would be employment generation, regional development and value addition to local and traditional products through promotion of their exports.

The areas in which the effort would concentrate were exports in textiles, handlooms, handicrafts, leather goods, agriculture and plantations etc. He said export of herbal medicines was an area that needed a boost. Quoting the example of the vests manufacturing centre of Tirupur in Tamil Nadu, he said it needed a boost to its exports. "Underwear is more important than software," he quipped.

Identifying thrust areas for export promotion in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Jairam Ramesh said an action plan was on the anvil for the benefit of chilli farmers of the State. He said the farmers would be in for grave trouble in case the blocks being raised on its export were raised further.

Regarding the problems being faced by farmers due to import of products like edible oils, fruits, silk etc., the Minister said focus would be given to protection of the farmers. Value addition of local products was a way of ensuring that imports do not create problems for farmers.

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