Orissa must focus export on non-traditional products: Ramesh

Bhubaneswar, Jun 19 (UNI) Union Minister of state for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today urged the entrepreneurs from Orissa to focus more on non-traditional products instead of concentrating on minerals.

Interacting with the members of the Utkal Chambers of Commerce and Industries (UCCI) here, Mr Ramesh said Orissa had the potential to export more non-traditional products, which had a good international market.

He said while 50 per cent of the state's exports accounted for metal-based products followed by 30 per cent on steels, 7 per cent engineering and 5 per cent on Information Technology, the non- traditional products contributed only one per cent of the total exports.

The Union Minister said it was high time for Orissa to get out of the export of mineral business and concentrate more on export of non-traditional products, which would generate more employment opportunities in the state.

He said the state government must have its own export policy and identify organic zones in the tribal areas to increase the export of products like turmeric, ginger and coffee, which had high export demand.

Mr Ramesh said the Centre would provide all support for establishment of cold storages for which the industry should provide Rs 1.5 crore and the state government Rs 50 lakhs while the rest amount would be arranged by the Centre.

He, however, asked the entrepreneurs to ensure that these cold storages should run more professionally and more and more exporters should be involved in the process.

The Union Minister announced that the Centre had identified a location in Ganjam in South Orissa where a Training Institute would be established for Gem Stones and Jewellery.

He further said he had urged Orissa Chief Minister to organise Orissa Export and arrange buyers and sellers meet.

To a question, Mr Ramesh said he was against the visit of business delegation to foreign countries for organising buyers meet.

''It is a racket and should be stopped at any cost,'' he maintained.

Instead, the buyers should be invited to India to attend the buyers and sellers meet, the Union Minister said adding that he had organised two such meets in the country on leather and carpet.

UNI