Export zones planned in Uttaranchal

With exports being seen as a means to generate employment besides turning in foreign exchange, the Uttaranchal government has decided to set up medicinal, agro-food export zones and create its own dry port facilities in the state.

The move follows a visit by Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh to Dehra Dun yesterday. After holding interaction with top industrialists and government officials in the state, Ramesh announced measures and said the Centre would provide all possible assistance to improve infrastructure facilities in the state.

"We have asked the government to prepare detailed project reports on setting up these export zones in the state," Ramesh said.

Stating that Uttaranchal had the potential to become the "medicinal capital of the country", Ramesh said 10 herbs, including sarp gandha and kutki, had been identified, which have the tremendous potential for exports. These herbs would be commercially cultivated and sent abroad, Ramesh said.

Referring to agro-food export zone, the minister said the export of litchis and apples had good scope.

Noting that there was a need to strengthen connectivity and infrastructure facilities including road and rail links to Dehra Dun, Ramesh also said the centre would back the state government in its efforts to improve the infrastructure including telecommunication links.

In the face of growing demand from the industry for dry port facilities, Ramesh announced that two new dry port facilities would be set up in Dehra Dun and Pant Nagar.

Significantly, the Indian Industry Association (IIA) put up this demand before the minister yesterday, chamber President Pankaj Gupta said. Meanwhile, Ramesh said a regional office of the directorate general of foreign trade would also be opened in Dehra Dun shortly. "Earlier, exporters were travelling all the way to Moradabad for availing themselves of DGFT facilities. Now, a regional office of the DGFT will be opened in Dehra Dun," Ramesh said.