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Maharashtra to formulate its own export policy

Shiv Kumar in Bombay

Maharashtra will have its own export policy, even though import and export policies come under the ambit of the central government.

Officials say the Maharashtra cabinet took the decision this week. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who is said to be behind the initiative, has asked officials to target a 25 per cent annual growth rate in exports.

The state government has identified sectors that offer high potential for export growth. These include agricultural produce processing, horticulture, fisheries, electronics and software, chemicals, automobiles, hosiery, leather and jewellery.

Official sources say the government will constitute nine export promotion groups to help exports in these selected areas. Experts from government and industry would staff them.

Only 5 per cent of Maharashtra's exports comprise agriculture products. "There is tremendous scope for improving the share of agriculture exports from Maharashtra," a government official said.

The government is looking at the horticulture and floriculture industries to boost growth. It has tied up with Rotterdam Port in Holland to provide cold storage facilities for exporters of fruits and vegetables from Maharashtra.

The agriculture export promotion group will identify crops in demand in the international market and encourage farmers to grow these, officials say.

The state has already reported encouraging results in the export of grapes and mangoes to the West. Medium and large farmers from the interiors of Maharashtra are regular visitors to agricultural fairs abroad, where they have acquired expertise in water conservation techniques.

Maharashtra currently accounts for 27 per cent of all Indian exports.

Indo-Asian News Service

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