Export target of US$500 billion in 2013 - 14 for India - FIEO Chairman Walter D’Souza

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 2, 2012: Walter D’Souza, the chairman of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), said that the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma had said that the foreign trade policy of 2009 – 14 has placed an export target of USD 500 billion for the financial year 2013 – 14 before India. 

Addressing reporters at a press conference held in the conference hall of Kanara Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Feb 2 Thursday, he said that this foreign policy envisages doubling of the country’s share of global exports by 2020. 

Further he said that 2012 is expected to be a tough year for world trade. According to the World Bank, world trade growth is 4.4 percent, but the IMF says it is 4 percent. He said that India is capable of beating these features if it has the proper infrastructure. 

Further, he said that FIEO, the apex body of Indian exporters, has more than 15,000 members. Besides facilitating export growth, FIEO has taken up exporters’ grievances before policy makers. 

He also announced FIEO’s decision to organize a conclave of state exporters on Feb 13 Monday in Mangalore in a bid to make the state an ideal destination for exponential export growth. Stating that this event is the first of its kind in the state, he said that its most important feature is the collaboration of the union ministry for corporate affairs. He also said that having such an event in Mangalore is the vision of Dr. Veerendra Moily, the union minister of corporate affairs. 

Speaking about the conclave, he said that it will comprise technical as well as plenary sessions and that plenary session will be addressed by the chief minister of Karnataka, the union minister for corporate affairs, surface transport, and commerce and industry, as well as the state minister for industry. The director general of foreign trade, the secretary of ministry of surface transport and corporate affairs along with the principal secretary of industry will address the technical sessions.
The conclave will be held in association with KCCI Mangalore, FKCCI Bangalore, NKCCI Karwar, UCCI Udupi, as well as other trade bodies in Karnataka. 

He also announced that FIEO will bring out a vision 2020 document for Karnataka, suggesting ways to increase its share from 6 percent to 10 percent in the total exports of the country. 

G. Mohandas Nayak, the president of KCCI, and Thejomaya were also present at the press conference.