Set sector wise targets for export, Odisha chief secy tells officials

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury

Bhubaneswar, June 30:

Expediting the process for preparation of the proposed new export policy, which would aim at boosting the export turnover of the state, Odisha chief secretary JK Mohapatra today directed all the concerned departments to  make a sector wise need assessment for promoting export and fix specific goals in each sector along with the timeline.

Reviewing the draft export policy prepared after taking the opinion from different sources, Mohapatra directed officials to make the policy action based and outcome oriented.

The proposed policy aims at sustainable growth of 10% per annum in export performance of Odisha from the present level of Rs,11,448 crore. Incentives like exporter’s green card for seamless passage of export consignments, raw material linkage, export credit, export development assistance scheme, exposure visit of entrepreneur delegations, organization of buyers and sellers meet and infrastructural development have been outlined in the draft policy.

Mohapatra said that the incentives provided should aim at enhancing export in priority sectors of government and harness export opportunities in new sectors.

Available data shows Odisha has vast export potential in minerals and metallurgical products, engineering and chemical and allied products, marine products, electronics & software, agricultural products, handloom, textiles & handicrafts and tourism products.

It is to be noted that the export of goods from Odisha during 2012-13 was to the tune of Rs 11448.48 cr, as per provisional figures available. The highest export has been recorded in metallurgical products amounting to Rs.5382.60 crs, followed by minerals at Rs.2427.56 cr and Electronics & Software at Rs2169.94 cr. The export in marine products has also increased to Rs 747.30 cr. There are about 29 Export House status holder units, and 15 100% export oriented units operating in Odisha.