Stimulus for exports to continue for affected sectores: Anand Sharma

With a view to elicit reactions from trade and industry on emerging exports scenario and obtain their views and suggestions on the stimulus provided to exports , the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, at the initiative of its President, Mr A. Sakthivel, held an Open House Meet with Mr Anand Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry on January 22, 2010 in Chennai. Mr A. Sakthivel, Mr M. Rafeeque Ahmed, past president, FIEO, Mr G.V. Nayak, Chief Commissioner of Chennai Customs, Mr Amitabh Jain, Addl. DGFT,Mr S.Sarda Jt DGFT, Mr T.Mazumder,Jt DGFT, Mr M. Saikumar, Zonal Jt.DGFT, Mr Ajay Mittal, Development Commissioner, MEPZ, , Mr M.Gopinath, Regional JDGFT, Hyderabad, Mr T. Muthuraj, Jt.DGFT, Chennai, Mr Ajay Sahai, Director General, FIEO, senior level officials from the Central Government and State Governments and senior level representatives from export promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and trade industry, besides more than 250 exporters and representatives from the media participated.

Mr Anand Sharma,Commerce & Industry Minister said China and Japan were added to the 39 non-traditional export markets identified by the centre as part of a series of new incentives to encourage Indian exporters to explore non-traditional business avenues.Mr Sharma informed that the Government had in January announced incentives worth Rs 450-500 crore to promote exports of over 2000 items with a view to help in the recovery of the sectors which continue to show decline in exports. Mr Sharma asserted that the Ministry of Commerce was in favour of a stimulus package for sensitive markets till they reach their pre-recessionary level and his Ministry was in favour of the continuation of stimulus packages, in particular for those sectors which continue to be affected. Mr Sharma further said that more efforts were needed for a sustained recovery.