CII organises export meet in Dehra Dun

International trade is a vital part of development strategy and it can be an effective instrument of economic growth, employment generation and poverty alleviation.

The need of the hour is to use international trade as an engine of growth, said Uttaranchal Principal Secretary (Finance) Indu Kumar Pandey at a CII seminar on promotion of exports.

While apprising the participants of core sectors like agri and medicinal plants, engineering goods, handicrafts and drawing, and survey instruments, which hold potential for exports from Uttaranchal, Pandey said in a competitive situation, along with good-quality goods and quality manpower, good infrastructure was also needed for meeting global standards to support the growth in exports.

"The key to a comprehensive development of exports is world-class logistics, enabling quick movements of goods resulting in economic gains," he said.

Chief Secretary M Ramachandran welcomed the CII initiative towards facilitation and promotion of exports in the state.

He suggested that the exporters should analyse their strengths and identify areas for improvement on a long-term basis for viable growth of exports.

He highlighted the various initiatives taken by the government towards the improvement of the road and rail network. He said the opening of the DGFT office at Dehradun would make a substantial difference towards export facilitation.

Industry Secretary Sanjiv Chopra in his address thanked CII for taking initiatives for enhancing exports in the state and complimented the National Small Industry Corporation (NSIC) for setting up its office at Dehradun.

He addressed various issues and queries raised by the industries in and around Dehradun.

Export Import Bank of India Chief General Manager Sunil Trikha made a presentation on exploiting export opportunities, improving competitiveness and finance for SMEs.

Trikha informed the participants that Export Import Bank of India handles the entire gamut of services related to exports and acts as a catalyst for trade promotion.

He further apprised the participants on the various initiatives taken by the Export Import Bank of India towards export development and its promotion.