Increase efficiency, export value-added products: Expert

February 13, 2012

Mangalore, February 13: Export expert Anup K Pujari has laid emphasis on the need of increasing efficiency and exporting value-added products to new markets to increase the nations export.

Speaking at a question and answer session at 'Karnataka: Export Vision-2020,' a convention of exporters organised by the Southern Region of Federation of Indian Export Organisations, he said that increasing port capacity would also be helpful in increasing exports.

Mr Pujari, who is the Director General Foreign Trade (DGFT), Union Ministry of Commerce, said that exporters must sell value-added products if India's exports should hit $ 300 billion-mark by the end of this financial year and $ 500 billion in two years.

He also suggested that instead of yarn, fashion garments could be exported.

Rafeeque Ahmad, president, FIEO, said that for exports to move up the value chain requires faster transport and clearances. While exporting traditional commodities could afford a time of two months and a further delay of a fortnight, clusters must be very active to reach consumers quickly.

He said exporters should identify clusters or combine two to three places into a cluster (so that they can send products together to containers and get clearances faster from the Ministry of Commerce).

Ajay Sahay said the Ministry of Commerce was studying clusters of exporters and their proximity to ports. The Government was looking at 70 clusters and their connectivity to ports and airports. The report would be ready by March 31, he said. In Chennai, despite units being close to the port, export products were going to ports other than Chennai, he said.

Earlier, inaugurating the convention, Mr. Ahmad said that if India had to increase exports to $ 500 billion by 2014, the Centre and the States must work together and States should think of exports as priority. States should not levy taxes on imports used in (production of goods meant for) exports. Exports should be treated as a public utility to avoid flash strikes (within export units), he said.

The concerns for exporters in Karnataka were a deficit of power and power quality, need for an air cargo complex with a cold chain in Mangalore, exports going through Chennai, which had a congested port, and lack of infrastructure.

M. Veerappa Moily, Minister for Corporate Affairs, said that if India had to reach a share of 4 per cent of global trade by 2020, that is $ 2,480 billion, it would require massive capacity building in infrastructure and human resources. India's merchandise exports might fall short of the target of $ 300 billion set for 2011-12, he said. If companies in the U.S. and European Union reduced their IT budgets, it might affect prospects for India's software exports, he said.

Mr. Moily said that each district should have a research and development cell for exports, which should work on innovating exports. He said that Karnataka ranked lowest in the development of infrastructure among Southern States.

Speaking about the export potential of Mangalore, he said the city would be the gateway and the second commercial capital of India after Mumbai.

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Agencies
March 28,2025

Udupi: Deputy Commissioner K. Vidya Kumari has directed officials to expedite land acquisition for designated industrial zones in the district to facilitate new industries. She issued these instructions during a meeting at Rajatadri on Wednesday.

Lands have been identified across various taluks for industrial development. The DC emphasized that KIADB must acquire these lands and ensure essential infrastructure—electricity, roads, and drainage—to attract industries and generate employment.

A total of 77 acres of private land has been acquired and compensated, including 31.2 acres in Kerebettu village, Hebri taluk, and 45.7 acres in Shivapura village. However, approval for 36.5 acres of government land is still pending. She instructed the forest department to assess whether this land falls under an eco-sensitive zone.

For the Belapu Industrial Area, the DC urged officials to accelerate minor land acquisitions for road expansion and commence construction at the earliest. She also mandated rainwater harvesting systems for all units in the Miyaru Industrial Area to tackle water scarcity.

Currently, 22 export-based units operate in the district. The DC encouraged further promotion of exports and an increase in their number.

The meeting was attended by Joint Director of Industries Nagraj V. Naik, KIADB Development Officer Srinivasa Murthy, Small-Scale Industries Association District President Harish Kunder, Deputy Director of the District Industrial Center Seetharam Shetty, District Skill Development Officer Arun B., and others.

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coastaldigest.com news network
March 20,2025

Mangaluru International Airport (MIA), Karnataka’s second busiest airport, has seen 148.5kg of gold smuggled between 2019 and December 2024, with 90% arriving from the UAE. Customs officials recorded 346 cases, averaging 30kg of gold seized per year (2.5kg per month). Most smugglers are from Kerala and Bhatkal.

A senior customs officer revealed that MIA sees at least five gold smuggling cases per month. Numbers dropped during the pandemic but surged after flights resumed. Many offenders are first-time carriers, while some are habitual smugglers. With fewer flights, customs thoroughly checks passengers, making smuggling harder.

Smugglers constantly innovate concealment methods. Hiding gold in the rectum remains common, but gold is also found in trolley bags, mobile covers, chocolate boxes, milk powder, biscuit packets, and clothing layers. Electronic devices like car speaker magnets, LED bulbs, AirPods, wristwatches, and ballpoint pens have been used.

Unusual tactics include hiding gold in a woman’s hairband, a baby’s diaper, and even a kheer mix packet (347g). In one case, a passenger attempted to smuggle 100g in his mouth under a mask but was caught.

Officials note that while the UAE remains a key source, smugglers now bring gold from other Gulf countries, continuously adapting to evade detection.

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News Network
March 27,2025

nandini.jpg

The Karnataka government has announced that Nandini milk will become ₹4 costlier per litre starting April 1, 2025. This is the second price hike this year.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna and Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh said the increase is meant to support dairy farmers by covering the rising costs of producing and processing milk.

Officials also said that:

>> The extra money from the price hike will go directly to the milk producers.

>> The earlier ₹2 price hike (announced on June 26, 2024) will be withdrawn.

>> The new price hike of ₹4 will apply to both 500 ml and 1-litre packets.

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