Exports to touch over $500 bn by 2014-15: FIEO

If exports maintain an annual growth trend of 25 per cent, Indian exports can cross $500 billion by 2014-15 from $220 billion expected in the current fiscal, said FIEO on Monday.

India’s apex exporters body Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Mr Ramu S Deora said emerging markets in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Middle-East countries would play an important role to achieve this ambitious target.

“Out of $500 billion exports, major chunk will be contributed by Asia with a share of $230 billion with ASEAN alone importing more than $100 billion from India. Exports to Africa and Latin America will zoom,” Mr Deora added.

Currently, the US and EU accounts for about 35 per cent of India’s exports. “Share of Europe and North America will be down to 15 and 10 per cent, respectively as growth in advance economies will taper off,” he said. India’s exports grew by 29.5 per cent to $164.7 billion during April-December 2010-11. In December 2010, the shipments grew by 36.4 per cent year-on-year. In 2010-11, the outbound shipments are expected to touch $220 billion.

Union Commerce Secretary Mr Rahul Khullar has said that demand for Indian goods is increasing in emerging markets. “Over $500 billion exports by 2014-15 would require a compound annual growth rate of about 25 per cent which is ambitious but definitely achievable,” he said.

“Quantum jump in investment would be required in roads, ports, airports, containers, power and telecommunications, cold storage and refrigerated vans and warehouses, so as to augment the installed capacity,” Mr Deora said.

He added that fluctuation in exchange rate hurts exporters and importers, so the government should consider full convertibility of Indian rupee to curb high volatility.