Coir, spices exports unscathed by rising Rupee: Jairam

Kochi, Oct 1 (UNI) The export of coir and spices remained unscathed by the rising Rupee and India could expect to achieve an export target of Rs 1,000 crore for coir and USD one billion for spices by 2009, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said today.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Ramesh said spices exports between April and August this year had reached USD 420 million compared to USD 280 million in the corresponding period last year.

''This hike of almost 50 per cent is a remarkable development,'' he added. Chilli and mint were the leading export items, contributing 25 per cent each to the export basket.

The Spices Board had targeted exports of USD 875 million during 2007-08 compared to USD 795 million during 2006-07. ''We hope to reach a target of USD one billion by 2009,'' the minister said.

Similarly, coir exports were on the upswing and were expected to reach USD 165 million (Rs 750 crore) this fiscal compared to USD 136 million (Rs 605 crore) last year.

UNI