High quality services at affordable cost a challenge: Sitharaman

Though India was emerging as a hub for global services, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the challenge was to provide high quality services at affordable prices.

"Value for money is a very important criterion for the services sector," Sitharaman said at the valedictory session of the Global Exhibition on Services (GES).

The exhibition was organised by the ministry in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Services Export Promotion Council at the India Expo Centre and Mart here.

Branding does not mean expensive pricing, she said.

Sitharaman said the Indian healthcare sector was ready to take on the global challenges.

The minister said the government also recognises services as very important for India and was keen to skill people to international standards.

Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia said the Department of Commerce was taking various steps to encourage the services sector and increase its share in global trade.

These include trade policy measures, addressing issues of competitiveness and providing more accurate data on services.

--IANS

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