Karnataka wants to reach third position in merchandise exports in the next five years, according to SR Satheesha, Managing Director of the Bengaluru-based Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre, a Karnataka government organisation.

Addressing an interactive meeting with exporters at the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Mangaluru on Friday, he said that Karnataka stands fourth in merchandise exports in the country. Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu are in the first three positions, respectively.

Gap in export volume

Though Karnataka is in the fourth position, the gap between it and the third position is huge. Karnataka needs to more than double its merchandise export to reach the third position in the next five years. In this regard, an export strategy is being worked out for the State, Satheesha said.

Stating that Karnataka’s Industrial Policy 2014-19 will come to an end by September, he said the government is in the process of preparing the new industrial policy.

Since there will be a chapter on exports in the industrial policy, inputs are being collected from the exporters in various parts of the State. He said that VTPC (Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre) conducted such interactive sessions at Dharawad and Belagavi recently.

Stressing the need for skill development, Prakash Kalbavi, one of the exporters from the region, said both industry and academia should work closely in this matter. The new industrial policy should take this into consideration, he said.

Problems for exporters

Highlighting the problems faced by exporters on various platforms, he said a cell should be set up at Chief Minister’s office to address issues related to exports.

Gaurav Hegde, president of Kanara Small Industries Association, said the government should focus on improving the road and rail connectivity between New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) and Bengaluru to boost exports from the State.

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