Imphal, July 18 2010: Among the states of the country in the northeastern region unable to avail funds specially funded by the Centre in export of agriculture and its allied sectors, said principal secretary (commerce and industries), O Nabakishore today.

Speaking at a One-day Awareness Workshop organised by the Directorate of Commerce and Industries in association with Agricultural Processed Food Production Export Development Authority (APFEDA) held at Hotel Classic as chief guest, the principal secretary asserted that Central government is investing a huge amount of funds for the development of export of agricultural and allied products.

However, in the state, none take interest in efforting to avail the funds and as such the state becomes the weakest state in the northeastern region of country that cannot avail the funds released under the scheme, he added.

Nabakishore further revealed that the state is abound in naturally available orchids, ginger, fruits etc.

and also have a favourable climatic condition to grow many other pants of these kinds imported from outside the state.

These naturally grow and imported plants and fruits can be cultivated well and export its products outside the state and earn a good income.

India government is investing a huge chunk funds for creating infrastructures for exporting the items outside the state and country as well.

Many of the states in the northeastern region had availed the benefits but in Manipur, except one person, Dr Rorroh of Mao, no other individuals come forward to avail the benefits.

He had availed around Rs 3 crore under the scheme, he added.

He also stressed the need for extensive awareness on the exports of agricultural products outside the country as the closest road to reach Asian countries from the country is Manipur.

Former director of state agriculture department, B Haridas who attended as guest of honour in the inaugural session of the programme observed that for exporting state's products outside the state, the materials for packaging and other equipments required in packing the items are needed to import from outside the state again.

This is the main concern area.

Apart from this, exporters are facing loss of their products when they could not deliver the items to the importers timely due to uncertainty on the national highways connecting the state with other states of the country, he said stressing the need for having a authority to deal with the situation.

In this speech as guest of honour, regional manager of APFEDA, Guwahati, Bidyut Baruah said that, APFEDA is the authority to deal with the export of agricultural items outside the country functioning under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries.

He further said that orchids, hot chili, rice, medicinal plants which can be exported outside the country are growing in Manipur.

Apart from this, many schemes under APFEDA can be taken up in the state.

The inaugural session was presided over by director of commerce and industries, T Panmei.

He said, it is not the people in the teaching profession, police personnel and other who could produce our day to day need food.

With their income, people can live without starvation but it will not possible to bring forward the state towards development, said the director observing that it is the business that can earn income from outside the state.

If an individual wanted to become a rich man, he should do business.

But in the state, the most important department, commerce and industries is like an untouchable department.

No one related with trade and commerce comes to the office, he added.

Many other experts spoke on the related topic during the technical session of the workshop.

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