Govt. seeks to improve exports, create job opportunities: Nirmala Sitharaman

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the newly elected government seeks to improve exports and create job opportunities for the youth

Sitharaman, who took charge of office earlier today, said economic condition of the country demanded more jobs for talented youth.

"We aim to improve on Indian exports and ensure that job opportunities emerge because that has been a very important plank on which we have contested the recent elections. The economic situation of this country demand that more jobs be provided for the young, talented, and well educated and even the semi-skilled and unskilled," said Sitharaman.

She was, however, non-committal on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country. She said she would study the commitment made in the manifesto of the party before taking any steps.

Along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 45 other members were inducted into the new council of ministers, a third smaller than the previous government.

"It is indeed my great pleasure and I feel very humbled that I have been given this responsibility and I shall ensure, I will give best of my time and will be supported by a set of very efficient officials in this department with which I am sure this department will bring in a lot of hope," said Sitharaman.