Innovation, marketing key for nation's growth: Fernandez

Kochi, Feb 9 (UNI) Stressing the importance of inclusive growth of the Indian economy, Secretary to the President of India Dr Christy Fernandez today said innovation and marketing were the key factors that would take the country to greater heights in globalised world.

Delivering the keynote address at a workshop on 'Linking Rural India to Global Market-Value Addition through Fair Trade Certification' organised by EXIM Bank here, Dr Fernandez said ''countries should be fast to adapt themselves to succeed in this highly integrated world.'' He said rapid changes were taking place in every field, forcing business units in various countries to innovate and market more agressively.

''India is on a higher growth trajectory but we should note whether the fruits of growth are enjoyed by all sections of the society,'' he added.

Dr Fernandez said growth should be inclusive whereby people in the rural areas were part of the economy's success story.

Speaking on the occasion, EXIM Bank CMD T C Venkat Subramanian said the fair trade provided access to market, fair price, advice and support.

It helped the marginalised producers in the rural market to have access to a larger market, he said.

Mr Subramanian said the Bank's rural initiatives included poverty reduction through export linkages and providing benefits of globalisation to rural enterprises.

He said the Bank was working towards the possibility of exporting traditional Indian 'know-how' and technology to other developing countries.

UNI MA AJ 1540