New Delhi (PTI): The Commerce Minister Anand Sharma is likely to announce measures to deal with slowdown in exports when he presents the Export-Import Policy for 2009-10 before the end of current session of Parliament.
Replying to questions in Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Indian exports have slowed down since October 2008 because of economic downturn and financial crisis in principal markets in North America and European Union.
European Union accounts for 36 per cent of the total exports by India, US 16-17 per cent and Japan 15-16 per cent.
These three main markets together account for 68 per cent of the country's exports and naturally any slowdown in these economies will impact Indian exports, he said.
There were no signs as yet of revival of economies of European Union and North America, he said.
Mr. Mukherjee said he has had discussions with Mr. Sharma on the contours of the Foreign Trade Policy (EXIM Policy) and couple of rounds of more discussions would follow. "I am confident that by the end of current session, Commerce Minister will be able to place the EXIM Policy."
Indian exporters should look at newer markets beyond North America, European Union and Japan to tackle slowdown, he said.
Mr. Mukherjee said a high-tech production export promotion scheme was announced in the Foreign Trade Policy 2007 but was operationalised only from February 19, 2009. "I admit there has been considerable delay," he said.
Source : The Hindu