Traders and industry experts elated as exports from Rajasthan surge

Jaipur, Sep 11 (ANI): Traders and industry experts here expressed their delight as Rajasthan, a major contributor to the country's export sector, registered a tremendous growth of 17 percent in the current year.

Despite the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) slipping down by 1.1 percent, the state recorded a substantial jump in export of readymade garments, antique furniture, handicrafts and other goods.

"Like I told you, there has been an upsurge in the exports sector. In fact, the exports are constantly rising. Our exports have risen by 17 percent in comparison to last year, in the last few months. We are hopeful that the exports would rise even further," said Nazakat Hussain, Commissioner, Customs and Excise, Rajasthan.

"We mainly export furniture, sandstone, readymade garments, bags and shoes," he added.

According to recent reports, Rajasthani goods are sought after in the offshore markets. This trend is rapidly increasing, soon after the global slowdown came to an end in 2009.

"We have been exporting various traditional commodities from Rajasthan, like minerals, handicrafts and jewellery. Gradually, engineering goods are also being exported. So, there is been a rise in the exports sector in the last couple of years," said Kishore Khaitan, exporter and spokesperson of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Rajasthan.

"There are a lot of exporters in Jaipur. So, the export culture exists in Rajasthan. People have become professional now and their skills have been upgraded, so this helps the export sector," he added.

Indian products have already surpassed Chinese goods, in terms of quality, durability and innovation.

The increase in the tourist influx has also helped the traders to promote Rajasthani goods in the international market. (ANI)