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 US$ 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 US$ 420 million compared to US$ 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 US$ 875 million during 2007-08 compared to US$ 795 million during 2006-07. ''We hope to reach a target of US$ one billion by 2009,'' the minister said.

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

UNI