Khanna Calls For Positive Outlook On Export Policy

A positive outlook in formulation and implementation of the export policy and the creation of a business-friendly environment were imperative to accelerate the growth of export in the country, outgoing commerce secretary Tejendra Khanna has said.

Speaking at a farewell organised in his honour by officers and staff of the commerce ministry, Khanna, who retired on Tuesday, said the ministry must play a pivotal role to provide an export-friendly environment to the country's industrialists and traders.

According to an official press release, commerce minister B B Ramaiah, who was also present on the occasion, praised Khanna for the contribution he made as the country's commerce secretary in the national and international arena, including his recent participation in the recent ministerial conference of the WTO in Singapore.

Recalling Khanna's contribution, several speakers referred to the sustained growth in exports in the last three years as also his role in the formulation and implementation of liberalised exim policies over the past several years in his capacity both as the commerce secretary and chief controller of imports and exports.

Sanjeev Reddy, director general of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, recalled Khanna's role in the process of integration of the Indian economy with the global economy and his articulation of developing countries' concerns at recent bilateral and multilateral meetings. Regional cooperation initiative during his time were also recalled including the South Asian Preferential Trade Arrangement, Asean, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum and the Indian ocean rim initiative, the release said.