Export-to-GDP ratio needs to rise substantially: Suresh Prabhu

New Commerce Minister says focus will be on promoting exports in shortest possible time

Terming the current scenario for exports as challenging, incoming Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has said that the export-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio should rise significantly.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, Prabhu said manufacturing growth can be leveraged through promoting exports.

For the first quarter of the current financial year, the rate of exports in the GDP calculated on current prices stands at 18.2 per cent, down from the 19.3 per cent rate in the corresponding quarter of financial year 2016-17.

Last week, the latest GDP data showed a three-year plunge in economic growth at 5.7 per cent in the