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Mineral exports alone will not help: Jairam

Special Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said Orissa should stop laying emphasis on export of its minerals and instead focus on improving its non-traditional exports.

Talking to presspersons after his meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here, Mr. Ramesh said of the State’s

total exports in 2005-2006, 50 per cent was iron ore and chrome ore, 35 per cent was steel and steel products, 7 per cent was engineering and 5 per cent was software. The remaining three per cent comprised marine products, handicrafts,handlooms, horticulture, spices, coffee, cashew and other products, Mr. Ramesh said.

Observing that Orissa would continue to be poor as long as the government thinks mineral exports would help eradicate poverty, Mr.

Ramesh said it was high time the State should work hard to Increase its export in the last `three per cent category’ that was generating two-third of the total employment.

The Union Minister, however, said that Centre would extend all possible help to the State to create necessary infrastructure for increasing export of fish, other marine products and the rich variety of turmeric which was being grown in the State through organic farming.

Mentioning about the State’s potential in gemstones, Mr. Ramesh said that a training centre would be established in Ganjam district with active support from Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister urged Mr. Ramesh to extend necessary Central assistance to help the State increase in exports inmarine products to Rs. 1000 crore in the coming five years.

Mr. Patnaik also underlined the need for setting up of units for processing of ginger and turmeric in Kandhamal district. Organic cultivation of coffee should be encouraged in Koraput as it had great export potential, he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for setting up of a cold storage near the Bhubaneswar airport.

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