India set for bumper Rabi harvest
There is going to be perceptible change in the global supply-chains post COVID-19 and India should work to capture significant share of the world trade.
This was a message given by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on 29 Apr 2020 through Video Conferencing to the Indian Export Promotion Councils (EPCs).
He told exporters to identify their strengths, potentials and competitive advantages in specific sectors, and focus on harnessing them in the world markets.
Goyal assured Indian industrialists and exporters that the Government will be a pro-active supporter and facilitator in their efforts.
The Indian Missions abroad can also play an important role in that, he added.
Incentives can be given, but they have to be justified, reasonable, and WTO-compliant, stressed the Minister.
Goyal informed that his Ministry is working on identifying specific sectors which can lead exports in the immediate future.
“India is going to have a bumper Rabi harvest this season, and our storage facilities are overflowing. At the same time, there are news stories that there is shortage of food items in several countries,” he observed.
Many places are not having food of appropriate quality, taste and quantity, due to disruptions in the supply chains because of Covid-19 crisis.
This seems to be a good opportunity for export of agricultural and processed food items, he said.
The Minister exhorted the export promotion councils to undertake brainstorming sessions with its members, and come up with similar actionable, big-ticket ideas.
The EPC members have made several suggestions, which may further facilitate their functioning.
The meeting was attended, among others, by FIEO, AEPC, SRTEPC, CLE, SEPC, Chemexcil, GJEPC, CEPC, Shefexil, CEPCI, PEPCI, Pharmexcil, ECSEPC, EEPC, TEPC, Capexil and Chemexcil. fiinews.com
