The Government is launching a major drive for promotion of exports from Kerala, the Industries Minister, P. K. Kunhalikutty, said here on Monday.

The Minister told mediapersons that the Government was expecting an assistance of Rs. 100 crores from the Centre for setting up various infrastructure and other facilities for exports. An amount of Rs. 16.5 crores had already been released for works to be undertaken this year.

Mr. Kunhalikutty recalled that the new exim policy had stressed the importance of participation of State Governments in export promotion efforts. Accordingly, the Government was taking a number of steps realising the importance of exports in a globalised economy. Through these measures, the Government expected to increase the value of annual exports from Kerala to Rs. 10,000 crores in two years.

In Kollam, the Government proposed to upgrade the laboratory for testing of cashew and other food products at a cost of Rs. 6 crores. Rs. 1 crore had been allocated under the Central-assisted scheme for this. Rs. 10 lakhs has been earmarked for setting up a modern weighbridge at Cochin port.

A modern laboratory for testing marine products would be set up in Kochi at a cost of Rs. 350 lakhs. This would be established under the supervision of the Sea Food Exporters Association of India with guidance from European Union and United States Food and Drugs Administration.

The Minister said that Rs. 6.10 crores had been earmarked for a major project of the Marine Export Promotion Development Agency (MPEDA) costing Rs. 14.20 crores. The project proposes establishment of about 30 pre-processing centres, upgradation of the MPEDA laboratory in Kochi and development of fishing harbours in Kochi and Munambam.

Besides, Rs. 1.95 crores had been sanctioned to the State Industrial Enterprises for development of export bay at the Air Cargo Complex in Thiruvananthapuram airport. Rs. 3.62 crores would be spent for water supply schemes of the Kinfra Techno industrial park at Kakkancheri in Malappuram district. The Government also had plans to set up an Indian Institute of Export Management at Kalamassery.

Mr. Kunhalikutty said the special export promotion zone coming up on the land given by the Kochi Port Trust would bring about major advances on the export front. A blue print was being prepared for increasing export of food products from Kerala. A masterplan for industrial development of the State would be presented at the Global Investors Meet in Kochi on January 18.

Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra), nodes-agency assistance to states for development of infrastructure for export (AIM) system of Kerala, has received proposals worth Rs 33.98 crore for the establishment of infrastructure exporting State.

They have since approved for assistance under the State-Level Export Promotion Committee (SLEPC) is with the sanction under the regulatory powers, the government said sources Business Line.

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), Cashew Export Promotion Council (CEPC) and Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) are among those who have submitted their proposals.

Kinfra himself proposed a RS-7.25 crore water supply project for its Techno-Industrial Park in Kakkanchery in Malappuram circle.

The park provides facilities for the treatment of foodstuffs.

The regulation provides for the implementation of water from the Kadalundi river, 13 km.

The Thiruvananthapuram-Institute for Human Resources Development (IHRD) has proposed an Indian Institute of Management in export Kinfra High-Tech Park in Kalamassery with a total cost of Rs 7 crore

Of which, RS 4.2 crore be made available under the scheme purpose.

Kinfra and IHRD in each chip RS 1.4 crore for the first capital.

The Institute will seek to train professionals for the management of foreign trade logistics and human resources development, to meet the demand of the industry.

It is used by an association duly registered in possession of the Government of Kerala and IHRD Kinfra and member of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).

The CRC has proposed in a modern laboratory for testing Cashew Kollam and other products.

The total cost for construction and equipment were crore RS 6.

The CRC has another proposal to install an electronic scale, the Pont de Cochin Port Trust premises at a cost of Rs 18 lakh.

KSIE a Rs 3.95 crore project for the expansion of exports to the Bay of Thiruvananthapuram Air Cargo complex and for the provision of necessary equipment.

This is in conformity with the safety specifications published by the Office for the Safety of Civil Aviation under the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The base Kochi Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) has proposed the creation of a central quality control laboratory for testing specializes in seafood according to EU standards against a tax of Rs 3.5 crore on

The proposal in the context of the controversy concerning a ban on exports of seafood latest from India in terms of quality reasons.

The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) requires technical support schemes for industry in India, it is therefore necessary for the establishment of the laboratory.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), the governed, that imports must be from a processing plant unit of the practice and implementation of HACCP by the entire production chain .

The European Union is also insisting on the check-clean “system based on HACCP.

MPEDA has proposed the creation of 30 pre-treatment in the major centres of fish processing in the regions of Kerala at a cost of Rs 9 crore, for which a grant of Rs 90 lakh are made available under the scheme BUT .

U.S. President George W. Bush visit to Hyderabad, it is expected that the thrust to another Hyderabad the overall image of the city as a new ideal and objective investment indicate leader.

A journey through the city on Friday, one of the most powerful men Hyderabad help gain recognition at international level, and open the door to new investment in this capital of Andhra Pradesh, famous for its pearls, palaces and delicious dishes like the computer -, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, they say.

“Bush is visiting to contribute to what the city on the map. It offers trade spin-off benefits and open the doors to foreign direct investment, “said Shakti Sagar, managing director of ADP Private Limited.

Sagar, former president of Hyderabad Software Exporters Association (HYSEA), hopes that all sectors, including the benefits of this visit. “The visit will help the city grow faster,” he said.

With the four Bush-and-a-half-hour visit Hyderabad deserve the distinction of being the only city next to New Delhi to visit the two U.S. presidents.

Although Bush has visited the city HITEC computing hub, and will interact with farmers and researchers at a university of agriculture and businesses on the Indian School of Business, Business leaders hope that the visit is emphasis on the city, as was the case during his predecessor Bill Clinton to visit.