TN targets GI-tagged products to boost exports

CHENNAI:
Manapparai Murukku, Thuthukudi Macroni, Udankudi Palm Jaggery and Panruti cashew and jack fruit could soon be relished by people across the globe as the state government is looking to boost exports through these products after getting Geographical Indication (GI) tag, according to Chief Minister M K Stalin.

The products though unique in the state are among the 24, which are awaiting GI tags. The state already has GI tags for for 43 products. These include include Tanjore paintings, plates and veena, Coimbatore Kora cotton sarees, Kovilpatti burfi. Salem Pattu,  Erode Turmeric, Niligiris Tea,  Srivillipuththur Palkova,
Palani Panjamirtham,  Sirumalai Mountain banana, Stalin stated while speaking during the Federation of Indian export Organisations (FIEO) Southern region Export Excellence Awards.

"These products have a good response in foreign countries. We should increase their production without compromising on the quality. Considering the ability and resources we have, the state can see several fold improvement in exports," he said.

The Chief Minister said that District level export centres have been set up to ensure unique products in the respective districts are marketed at the global level.

Highlighting various projects announced by the state government to boost exports, Stalin urged FIEO to start an Export Buying House with private participation which can free the problems in improving the products to export quality and also source them from various production centres.

Stalin also called upon the captains of industries to step up the exports from $26 billion to $ 100 billion and meet the government's ambitious target of achieving $ one trillion dollar economy by 2030.
  "I had unveiled plans in September last year on export promotion and the government is taking several steps in this direction. To name some, efforts are on to establish a Knowledge City, State Export Promotion Committee, and International Furniture Park," he added.

He said during 2020-21 fiscal, Tamil Nadu stood third in the country by exporting to the tune of Rs 1.93 lakh crore, contributing 8.97 per cent to the nation's overall exports and wanted this share to be increased every year. "This government's desire and also my ambition is make Tamil Nadu first among Indian States in exports," the Chief Minister said.
       

"Exports are very crucial to achieve economic growth. Currently, the southern zone has a share of about 27 per cent in India's exports. I am sure in five years, this will increase to 35 per cent," the Chief Minister said.
  He also urged FIEO to ensure the Central government scheme of One District One Product (ODOP) is implemented in all the districts in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, Federation of Indian Exports Organisation regional chairman Israr Ahmed said that Tamil Nadu accounts for 40pc of all exports from southern states. He said that southern region states contribute 23 per cent share in India's export basket of which the state accounts for nine per cent. Dr A Sakthivel, president of FIEO, highlighted various industry friendly initiatives of the state government.