New Delhi, Feb. 25 Merchandise exports from all the States declined in the first half of 2009-10, with the exception of Kerala (9.2 per cent growth) and Haryana (a paltry 0.1 per cent growth), according to the Economic Survey.
The survey also pointed out that the importance of States such as Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in the country's merchandise export sector is rising.
Kerala registered the highest export growth rate in 2008-09 thanks to increasing exports from its Special Economic Zones.
Kerala's exports in 2008-09 doubled to $4.75 billion from $2.36 billion.
Following Kerala was Uttar Pradesh with 76.3 per cent export growth in 2008-09 to $7.57 billion from $4.3 billion in 2007-08.
Delhi came third with its exports recording 63.4 per cent growth in 2008-09 to $8.47 billion from $5.18 billion in 2007-08.
The other States that registered high export growth rates in 2008-09 were Andhra Pradesh (33.3 per cent), Goa (28.4 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (25.1 per cent).
However, in terms of total exports, the leaders are Maharashtra ($44.7 billion, which was 24.1 per cent of India's exports worth $185.3 billion in 2008-09), followed by Gujarat (21.7 per cent or $40.27 billion), Tamil Nadu (10 per cent or $18.54 billion) and Karnataka (6.6 per cent or $12.3 billion).
Though all these states maintained their respective positions in April-September 2009 period, their export growth declined when compared to the same period in the last year. However, Kerala's exports grew by 9.2 per cent to $2.8 billion.
More assistance
To encourage exports by States, outlay under the Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) Scheme has been increased in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan to Rs 3,793 crore (tentative) as against the actual release of funds of Rs 2,050.5 crore in the Tenth Plan, the Survey said.
State-wise allocation of funds under the ASIDE scheme for the past few years shows that the highest allocation was to Maharashtra followed by Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Source : Business Line