Market-oriented linkages must develop, AEZ redundant: Ramesh

Kolkata, Jul 28 (UNI) Market-oriented linkages should be developed to promote agriculture exports, based on PPP model, instead of Agri -Export Zone (AEZ), which is becoming a redundant concept, Union Minister of state for state Commerce&Industry Minister Jairam Ramesh said today.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Mr Ramesh said instead of AEZs, social organisations should be developed with the help of private entreprenuers to boost agri-export growth.

Bengal has the potential to export pineapple and it should be explored, he said.

Chief Minister Buddhdeb Bhattacharjee, who was present in the programme, said the marketing mechanism should be developed in the state to increase agri-exports.

''Around 30 per cent of the total produces perish due to lack of storage facilities. The cold storage infrastructure should also be modernised,'' the Chief Minister said.

In a bid to boost agri-exports from the state, value addition of the produces would help expand the export basket, he said.

UNI