The Hindu Business Line : State's export promotion policy by next year

Hyderabad May 18 Aiming to double its exports by 2010 and build-up `Brand Andhra' products in the global markets, the Andhra Pradesh Government is giving final touches to State Export Promotion Policy.

"The policy would be in place by next year. Feedback seminars had already been organised in association with Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and consultations are being held with all stake holders,'' Mr Raveen K. Reddy, Additional Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Andhra Pradesh, told Business Line.

One of the prime objectives of the policy is to facilitate rapid growth of exports from the State and to increase their share in exports from the country to 10 per cent from the current 5 per cent, he said.

Reasonable growth

In 2005-06, the total exports from the State were Rs 24,407 crore. Out of this, software products accounted for Rs 12,521 crore, followed by drugs, pharmaceuticals, allied chemicals and plastics with Rs 4,914 crore.

Though the figures for 2006-07 are yet to be ascertained, a reasonable growth is expected, the official said.

In the new policy, bulk drugs, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology would be given a major thrust.

In addition, push would also be given to software and IT-enabled services, agricultural and processed foods, leather, engineering goods, and automobile and auto, handlooms and textiles, among others, he added.

On the administrative front, some significant changes have been proposed.

The existing Commerce and Export Promotion wing of Commissioner Industries shall be converted into Export Promotion Board for better coordination and would also have a Web site, Mr Reddy said.

Board members

The Board could have the Chief Minister as Chairperson; Chief Secretary, Secretaries of finance, industry, textiles, etc. and Chairman of FIEO southern region and leading trade associations as members.

Further, the Andhra Pradesh State Trading Corporation is proposed to be made the AP Trade Logistics and Export Promotion Corporation with a mandate to develop logistics of export promotion parks, among others.

"More importantly, e-Governance support will be extended to the exporters in the State to establish a b2b exchange," he added.

Though the EXIM policy of the Government of India would provide a national framework, the State Government was planning to provide a focussed facilitation.

"It is in this context that a policy framework for capacity building and competitiveness becomes critical," Mr Reddy felt.

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