NE Exporters has to take challenges: DGFT

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Tough to meet $200 mn export target this yearNE Exporters has to take challenges: DGFT

Guwahati, April 21:: The exporters in the North East were assured of help to resolve all their export related problems by the Director General of Foreign Trade on Monday and also asked them to take initiatives.

"We are conscious of the North East. We are with you (exporters) to help and resolve your export problems, but you need to take the lead," said R S Gujral, DGPF.

"The export community too has to take the challenge. The government can only help. Look for products other than tea and coal, currently exported from the region," he said at a meeting with the members of the Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) N-E chapter and Federation of Industries and Commerce of Northeast Region (FINER).

The Centre was insisting on a stable policy regime by continuing with some of the earlier support mechanisms, he said.

"We should also try to involve the state governments in the NE to identify the items to be exported," he added.

"The FM P Chidambaram said by 2020 India should have 5 per cent of world's trade in goods and services. The export target for 2008-09 is US $200 billion," he said.

He said, a task force would be constituted soon and added, due representation should come from the NE to raise local issues.

With FINER pointing out that the NE was 1,100 km away from the nearest sea port and thereby suffered from locational disadvantage, Gujral said, "efforts are on to open a trade route with Myanmar to give access to a port at a short distance, Chittagong would be a good choice but diplomatic and political issues with Bangladesh have to be kept in mind."

The DGFT also assured that an FIEO office would be set up here to facilitate export activities in Assam.