The Hindu Business Line : Focus on processed food exports: Kamal Nath

THE country must aim to increase its processed food exports to $10 billion in two years, which is double the present export value, representing a 42 per cent share in total agricultural export basket, the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, said on Wednesday.

This is not an impossible feat to scale, he said, given that global consumer trends towards organic food and herbal products would open up new export opportunities in areas where India is well positioned to compete, the Minister said which addressing the annual award function 2003-04, organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. He said the introduction of product patent regime could create greater export opportunities for processed food products from India. "With the passing of the Patent (Amendment) Bill by the Lok Sabha yesterday and even as we speak, the Rajya Sabha debating it today, the much-awaited product patent era has dawned. Indian companies in areas such as biotechnology and herbal products may look now to expand their product portfolio. Indian companies will have to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to fully; exploit the challenges of the new regime", Mr Nath said.

Referring to non-tariff barriers (NTBs) such as sanitary and phyto-santiary conditionalities based on real or imagined health and environment standards which could nullify efforts at agri exports, Mr Nath reiterated that while India was committed to supporting genuine environmental protection, it was opposed to NTBs with commercial intent.

This must be guarded against, he said, adding that he had taken up the issue very strongly with the G-20 as well as in various other international fora.

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