Exports touch $ 99 bn against target of 125 bd

New Delhi, Mar 20: India has exported goods worth 99 billion dollars in the first ten months (Apr-Jan) of 2006-07, against the annual target of 125 billion dollars, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Based on the prevailing trend in export growth, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is of the view that exports would reach 150 billion dollars by 2008-09, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh said in a written reply.

According to a study conducted by the Research and Information System for Development Countries (RIS), a total of 16 million jobs (direct and indirect) are estimated to have been created through exports in 2004-05.

The study said exports of 150 billion dollars would support 30 million jobs, direct and indirect, the Minister said.

SEZs: There is no proposal to review the tax and tariff concessions for SEZs. However, pending further directions by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGOM), fresh approvals for setting up new SEZs are presently on hold, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said.

MINERALS: There has been a decline in the mineral exploration activity in the last few years, mainly due to the shortage of manpower in the Geological Survey of India, Mines Minister Sis Ram Ola said.

UNI