Govt to focus on value-added products, new markets to improve agricultural exports
Himanshu Vatsa | The Dollar Business The government is working on a strategy to improve India’s agricultural exports which have seen sharp fall in the past one year. Agricultural exports contribute more than 10% of the country’s total export. But the government data says that the annual exports of six key agricultural items saw negative growth during the last financial year. Among the six major items, the export of oil meals reduced to $1.32 billion, more than 52% lower than that of previous year. The annual export value of cereals fell by 27% while the shipment of tea, fruits and vegetables declined by around 16% and 9% respectively. Besides, export of tobacco and spices also decreased last year. Now, the government ...
'India-China trade deficit needs to be addressed pro-actively'
The Dollar Business Bureau India can reduce its trade deficit with China by ensuring better market access for Indian IT and agricultural products, said V K Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs. Expressing concern over the widening trade gap between the two countries, Singh said the imbalanced trade was “not in the long-term interest of either country” and it needs to be addressed “pro-actively”. “Both governments are committed to taking imaginative measures and rigorous effort in tackling this issue,” Singh was reported to have said at the India-China Economic and Tourism Cooperation Forum held at the sidelines of the ongoing China-South Asia Expo in China’s Kunming city. He said that improving market access for Indian products like IT and services, pharmaceuticals, ...
Govt has no records of exports data from Agri Export Zones
Himanshu Vatsa | The Dollar Business The government has no records of exports and other details about 60 Agri Export Zones (AEZs) set up in various states. In order to promote India’s exports of processed agricultural products, AEZs were set up under several schemes of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). These facilities have been set up in 20 states covering more than 230 districts. The project covers 35 crops including fruits, vegetables, spices, cashew, tea, basmati rice, medicinal plants, and pulses. The total investment under the AEZ programme by all agencies stands at Rs 1, 724 crore, including private investments of Rs 970 crore. “As on March 2012, all the 60 AEZs in 20 states ...
