India intends to double the exports of marine products to Rs. One lakh crore from now on for more than Rs. 50,000 crores over the next five years, said the Minister of Trade and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Distribution and Fabric, Shri PiyushGoyal in Kochi today.
“These targets will be achieved through sustainable fishing, quality assurance and diversity, promotion of coastal vessels and aquaculture, and support for the entire fishery,” Shri Goyal, speaking to the media at Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Kochi. Shri K.N. U -Raghavan, Chairperson, of MPEDA, presented a road map to maximize the Rs 1 lakh crore export benefit.
Shri Goyal said the Free Trade Agreements have been finalized with the UAE and Australia, while talks are ongoing on such an agreement with the UK and Canada. The minister said talks to reach the FTA with the EU would begin in Brussels on the 17th of this month. He said the effort was to provide market access and new opportunities for local traders and as a result give fishers a better future. The Minister also ruled out the possibility of removing the MPEDA office in Kochi.
Earlier, the Minister had liaised with the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) at MPEDA and had extensive discussions on various issues, challenges and solutions facing the sector. He also met fishermen from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karnataka. The Minister confirmed the intervention from the Minister to reduce barriers to the sale of raw materials in order to increase value so that India can be transformed into a seafood processing center soon. Shri Goyal urged foreign traders to educate, assist and encourage fishermen to follow sustainable fishing practices and to maintain a high standard of fishery for a better return. Indian equipment abroad is intended to assist traders in expanding their trade, he added.
The Minister also had discussions with stakeholders in the Rubber sector at MPEDA. He reaffirmed the government’s support for the continued development of the sector and called on all stakeholders to work to make India independent of rubber. He also stressed the need for increased production and production to close the gap between the production and use of rubber in the country. Shri K.N. Raghavan, Chief Executive Officer, Rubber Board unveiled road map to enable India to become self-sufficient in rubber production.
Shri Goyal later visited the Spice Board Office in Kochi and consulted with various stakeholders. Various issues affecting spices and their exporting were discussed. The Minister of Trade Unions has urged participants to rely on quality and sustainable growth. Shri A. G. Thankappan, Chairman, Spice Board and Shri D Sathyan, Secretary, Spice Board were present at the event.
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