Govt approves export development

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) The Governmet today gave its approval for the Export Development and Promotion of Spices Scheme with an outlay of Rs 192.69 crore for implementation during XIth Plan period by the Spices Board.

The Scheme is a continuation of similar scheme implemented by the Spices Board during Xth Plan period with some modifications in contents and outlay.

The main thrust of the scheme is to promote high tech and high end value addition in spice processing / packing and quality control facilities for producing the quality products.

The scheme will also look into the setting up of spices park having common processing facilities and world class infrastructure for facilitating growers and exporting community to improve the quality of spices and motivate new entrepreneurs, promote product research to establish the health and medicinal values of spices, support spice processors in the north East and organic spice producers elsewhere to enter into high-end value addition, trade promotion activities e.g. market research, surveys, mounting trade delegations, trade fair participation, publicity programmes etc. and strengthening market/trade information services.

Apart from other assistance, financial assistance to 150 exporters in the general area and 10 exporters in North East / Special areas to produce value added spice products of international standards and quality, to meet part of their expenditure on trade promotion activities like packaging development / bar coding etc, 100 exporters will be supported.

For providing common facilities for cleaning, grading, packing and storing, the scheme will have six such centres for quality improvement and value addition.

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