More sops for exporters in January: Sharma

The government will announce more incentives in mid-January for the export sectors that continue to languish in the global market, commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma said today. Consultations between the commerce department and various export sectors are over and inputs are now being analysed.

"In the first half of January, further interventions will be made and we will announce more incentives for sectors that need it," Sharma said addressing reporters.

Industries that might receive fresh incentives include carpets, tea, textiles, leather, handicrafts and some engineering goods, although exports from many of these sectors have now started to grow.

The commerce department has lavished a series of sops on exporters, especially labour-intensive ones, ever since the global economic slowdown hit the country's exports in November 2008. While most exports sectors have now come out of the red with a recovery in demand in the US and many European countries, some sectors still remain vulnerable.

Commerce secretary Rahul Khullar and director general of foreign trade Anup Pujari had detailed talks with various export promotion councils and other export groups on their present situation and future prospects.

The input received will now be analysed to decide which sectors need more incentives.