India's merchandise exports during the current financial year from April 2005 to February 2006 have touched almost US $ 89 billion, indicating a record growth rate of over 26 percent, Shri Kamal Nath, Minister of Commerce and Industry, disclosed at the Third Meeting of the Board of Trade here this afternoon. This is on the already high-base of 26 percent of last year, which itself was a record breaking rate of growth.
“Two years ago, we spelt out a bold vision to double India's share in world trade within five years. The current trade figures indicate that India is not only on the right path but approaching the goal at an accelerated pace”, he said.
Shri Kumaramangalam Birla, who heads the Board of Trade, chaired the meeting.
Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Commerce; Shri S.N. Menon, Commerce Secretary; Shri D P Singh, Secretary (Textiles); Shri N N Khanna, Chairman & Managing Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO); Shri G K Pillai, Special Secretary; Shri K T Chacko, Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and other members of the 39-member Board of Trade including representatives of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Associated Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ASSOCHAM), Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), NASSCOM and Chairmen of various Export Promotion Councils, representing all the major export sectors in the country, participated in the meeting.