Lakhanpal: Industry Must Reach Critical Export Mass In 10 Years

Q&A

 <b>Q: The five-year Exim policy does not seem to have anything for turning around the dull exports scenario.</b>

 Every year we have certain key elements in the Exim policy that spell out the long-term thrust areas of the sector. Two years ago, we had given a major push to special economic zones (SEZs) and involved states in foreign trade, while last year the key announcements were agriculture export zones and market access initiatives. The Exim policy this year has identified industrial clusters as one of the key areas where more export initiatives have been outlined. The policy has also stressed the need for the country's exports to reach a critical mass after which they will not require any government support or assistance. The policy also aims at helping the industry tackle surplus in sectors like agriculture, steel, cement, aluminium, yarn and fabric, and petroleum products. If the policy can help move these surpluses out of the country, capacity utilisation within the country will go up.

 <b>Q: When will exports attain the critical mass that the commerce  minister mentioned?</b>

 Critical mass is a term borrowed from nuclear physics. Once a certain critical mass is achieved, the atomic reaction becomes self-sustaining. We want to help exporters reach a level of criticality, after which they will be able to tackle the international market on their own. After all, why don