Mukherjee lauds India's robust growth in exports

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) Lauding India's robust growth in exports leading to greater employment opportunities, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today called for radical changes in making India an export basket for the global market.

Inaugurating the 26th edition of the India International Trade Fair 2006 (IITF-2006), the Minister said that India has transformed from economy of shortages to plenty in a very short span and has changed from an agri-based economy to world's fast growing market economy.

''The country's export base has undergone a radical change due to appropriate policy framework and entrepreneur and managerial talents of Indians,'' he said.

He said the themes of the fair, small and medium enterprises and Tourism are very appropriate and encouraging as these two sectors generate more employment.

Mr Mukherjee said, 25 years ago when he was a Commerce Minister this fair began in a very humble way. Participants were offered incentives to lure them to participate in the fair and today the situation has come when the ITPO has to refuse the participants because of scarce space availability as the number has well gone past 7,500.

''The Pragati Maidan virtually turns into a 'Mini India' during the 14-day mega show in which 30 lakh consumers will visit'', he added.

The Minister said ''I am confident that fair will provide participants with vast opportunities on the spot business and draw long term business plans and new product launches. It will help in forging joint ventures, technology transfers and whole gamut of industrial activities.'' Speaking on the occasion, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said the country has embarked on a second stage of economic reforms that will enable the industry to take advantage of opportunities being offered globally.

''In the last 2-3 years our economy has maintained 8 per cent growth due to reforms that were initiated 15 years back. Now, we are on the second stage of calibrated and comprehensive liberalisation that will enable the Indian industry to take advantage of globalisation,'' the Commerce Minister said.

He said as part of the underlying strategies for growth, emphasis would also have to be laid on ensuring that enough labour intensive activity in manufacturing and services sectors is created for adequate absorption of workers from the rural and agro sectors.

Mr Nath said it was a matter of satisfaction that this fair focuses on a huge canvas that covers both the traditional and non-traditional sectors of industry spread across rural and urban areas.

The thematic focus of this edition of IITF is on tourism and small and medium enterprises. Both these sectors have great potential in powering economic growth in the country. This fair offers a solid platform for not only promoting business, but also an opportunity for overseas companies to assess business and investment options available in India.

In the IITF-2006, Andhra Pradesh is the partner state and Madhya Pradesh as the focus state, while China is a partner country with over 200 participating companies and Thailand as the focus country with over 100 participating companies.

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