Anand Sharma calls for integration of rural areas .

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma on Tuesday said that we have to integrate our rural areas with the economic processes that are transforming our country at a rapid pace

Addressing the India Rural Business Summit here, Sharma said: "If we are to ensure that growth is both inclusive and equitable then we will have to align and integrate our rural areas with the economic processes".

He further said stated that nearly 70 per cent of India's population resides in the rural areas and nearly two-third of the population is still dependent on the agriculture sector for sustenance.

Highlighting the details of various steps taken by the Department of Commerce to promote rural business, Sharma informed that under the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-2014, the focus is on increasing our percentage share of global trade and expanding employment opportunities.

He further said that under Special Focus Initiatives, rural employment intensive sectors such as (i) agriculture and village industries, (ii) handlooms (iii) handicrafts (iv) leather and footwear (v) exports from North-Eastern region, (vi) sports goods and toys. have been identified.

Sharma also informed that the Department of Commerce regularly supports Export Promotion Councils focussed on the rural sector such as Handloom Export Promotion Council, Shellac EPC, Carpet EPC, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Self Employed Women's Association SEWA).

Source : sify.com