The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Set deadline to end iron ore export: Jairam

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Sunday, Jul 02, 2006

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Set deadline to end iron ore export: Jairam

Staff Reporter

"We must move away from dependence on exports"

Minister opposes POSCO plan Orissa must diversify into labour-intensive sectors Minister opposes POSCO plan Orissa must diversify into labour-intensive sectors

BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh on Saturday urged the Centre to take a decision on stopping iron ore export after 2010.

"We must set a deadline for putting a full stop to exports. We can export steel, but not iron ore," he told a press conference here. Companies, domestic or foreign, should be given support to produce steel within the country.

Mr. Ramesh opposed Korean steel maker POSCO's plans to take ore from India for its overseas mills.

"I am not against POSCO setting up a steel plant in the country but it should not be allowed to take away iron ore."

Fifty five per cent of India's exports to China were iron ore. "This is unacceptable. We must move away from our dependence on export of iron ore," he said. A majority of members, cutting across party lines, had in a Parliament discussion favoured a "go slow" approach to iron ore exports.

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Set deadline to end iron ore export: Jairam