FIEO expresses concern over decline in manufacture exports

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) today expressed concern over the decline in share of manufactured items in country's exports from 67 per cent to 64 per cent as against the 28 per cent increase in 2007-08 at a time when share of manufactured items is gradually increasing in global merchandise trade.

FIEO President Ganesh Kumar Gupta suggested to reverse the trend immediately so that employment is not affected. While exprts have gone up substantially in 2007-08, last three months figure for sectors such as textiles and apparels, handloom, handicrafts, leather and marine products have showed a slow down of export of traditional sector, he added.

''Exports sector will be facing a major challenge due to high volatility in exchange rate and slow down in US and EU contributing to close to 35 per cent of total exports,'' Mr Gupta stated.

He opined that volume-wise growth is more crucial for India where employment is a major challenge both in urban and rural areas.

FIEO President has requested the intervention of the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Commerce and Industry Minister to continue with the relief package announced for exports sector till the end of financial year, failing which employment will be impacted in exports sector.

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