The Orissa government today sought more assistance to the state under the Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) scheme.
Since the exports of the state are routed through ports located in other states, the state is deprived of getting adequate assistance from the Centre under this scheme.
The state was provided Rs 51.97 crore under the scheme between 2003-04 and 2008-09. “We are not getting sufficient funds from ASIDE scheme as our exports are routed through ports in other states. So the export of goods originating from Orissa should be reflected in the export of the state”, Saurabh Garg, secretary, industries, Orissa government, said.
Addressing the participants in an interactive session on Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14, Garg said, the Orissa government is focussing on the export from agri, handicraft and cottage industry sectors. Value addition is being given priority with focus on agri-products in the state. The state government will also organise buyers-sellers meet in February 2010 focussing on handloom and handicrafts products, he added.