He said this while meeting a delegation from the Thapar group here on Wednesday evening.

The minister further said that the large industrial houses should adopt a clear strategy to achieve definite exports target. Large industrial houses, he added, had the advantage of a production base, brand image, technological superiority and marketing and distribution expertise.

Hedge, however, regretted that these houses were not giving priority to exports. A study of the 500 Indian companies revealed that their average export intensity was only 8 per cent. On the other hand the small scale units accounted for 40 per cent of India's exports despite limitations of resources.

L M Thapar, who led the delegation, expressed the confidence that group would show substantial increase in its exports during the current fiscal. Theexports would include Rs 85 crore worth of export of three-wheelers to Sri Lanka.

Thapar identified the groups' biggest potential as an exporter of agro-products.

The minister informed the delegation about the proposal to set up a cold chain network in the major airports of the country. The first one was already inaugurated at the Indira Gandhi International Airport's cargo terminal earlier in the year. The second such facility will be inaugurated at Bangalore in September.

Commerce secretary P P Prabhu along with with other senior officials of the minister was present at the meeting.