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Kolkata May 23 The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, in a recent study on `agri export zones (AEZs)', has pointed out that those in West Bengal have failed to meet the envisaged exports and investment targets in its half a dozen zones that were notified for commercial production some six years ago.

The other States that have been laggard in AEZs, according to Assocham, include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Assam.

It is stated that the shortfall on an average works out to over 50 per cent in most of the States.

Performers

It is pointed out that out of the 60 sanctioned AEZs, the performing States have been Karnataka, Punjab, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and to some extent, Gujarat.

The Assocham paper has felt it necessary to communicate the feedback of the domestic produce in the international market to the farmers and the food processors and exporters to encourage production of the right food-processing variety.

The study suggests that a separate fund be created for exclusive funding of AEZs and direct financing by Nabard on concessional terms be extended.

Separate fund

The findings reveal that in West Bengal, against an estimated target of Rs 1217.90 crore exports from AEZs, the actual proceeds have been only Rs 85.65 crore. Similarly, it could attract investments in AEZs of only Rs 59.28 crore against the targeted Rs 354.24 crore.

The AEZs were for pineapple, lychee, potato, mango, vegetables and Darjeeling tea.

According to the study, in the pineapple AEZ, the envisaged export was Rs 127 crore while in actual, the State could export pineapples worth only Rs 0.20 crore.

Miss targets

The AEZ could attract an investment of only Rs 35.59 crore against a targeted Rs 54.50 crore.

Surprisingly, the AEZs in Rajasthan have failed to attract even a single investment, against the targeted Rs 41 crore. Tamil Nadu, with its four AEZs, had a target of Rs 428.64 crore and Rs 75.68 crore for exports and investments respectively.

And against this, the State, according to Asssocham, has been able to attract only Rs 33.90 crore and Rs 28.78 crore respectively.

More Stories on : Exports & Imports | Infrastructure | West Bengal

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