Uttarakhand chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh met the Union commerce secretary Anoop Vadhawan at the Secretariat here on Wednesday and discussed ways to increase the volume of export from the State. Singh said that there are ample opportunities of investment in the realms of Yoga and Ayush in Uttarakhand.

He further said that he expected the Centre to act on the proposal of the State Government for setting up of Spiritual Economic Zones and instructed the secretary concerned to send the proposals to the Union Government.

Mention worthy, the State export accounts for 0.5 per cent of the national export rate in agriculture, pharma and other products.

CS requested the Centre to help in reducing the logistic costs to double the volume of the State’s export. He also put forth a proposal for help in extending cargo facilities for mushroom produced in the State. The Union commerce secretary said that a meeting between the Air India and the State Government officials would be held soon on the matter. Besides, the chief secretary had a telephonic conversation with the vice-chancellor of Pantnagar University to expedite the work of certification in a bid to boost exports of agricultural produce. Notably, the Centre has authorised the Pantnagar University for certification of agriculture produce for exports.

Chief secretary said that the State Government expected necessary cooperation in its proposed projects related to the export-linked infrastructure development under the Trade Infrastructure For Export Scheme (TIES) of the Government of India. Secretary, Commerce asked the State Government to send maximum proposals under the scheme.

CS also drew the attention of the secretary towards the delay in GST refund to the exporters to which the latter assured prompt action to resolve the matter.

Secretary Commerce said that during his talks, rice exporters of the State had demanded the merchant exporters in the State be allowed concession in Market Fee. “I have asked the chief secretary to consider the matter,” he said after the meeting was over.

It was also informed at the meeting that the export policy of the State would be brought before the Cabinet soon.

The meeting was attended by the president APEDA Paban Kumar Bor Thakur, Union joint secretary Commerce Keshav Chandra, executive director  FIEO Ajay Sahay, Uttarakhand secretary R K Sudhanshu, D Senthil Pandian, R Meenakshi Sundaram and director Industries Sudhir Nautiyal among others.

Aside from the meeting, the Union commerce secretary chaired a discussion oragnised by Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) and Industry Directorate, Dehradun on the issue of “Export policy of Uttarakhand” with the exporters, trade organisations and different departments in Dehradun.

During the discussion, the exporters apprised the officer of the difficulties related to export and infrastructure such as multimedia logistic parks, CFC facilities-testing laboratory connectivity, customs and GST. The Union commerce secretary said that all the points relevant for the export should be included in the export strategy of the State. He also informed that as the share of  Uttarakhand is 10 per cent, 15 per cent and 40 per cent share in the agriculture, industry and services sectors respectively there is tremendous potential for increasing export in these sectors especially in agriculture and MSME industries.

He stressed on the farmers being made aware of organic production to meet the demands of such produce from the Western countries.