CM Raja Virbhadra Singh said that export was one of the important area where the State was concentrating and working on a strategy to increase share in the export basket of the country.

He was speaking on the occasion of inaugural function of Interim facility of Regional Centre of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) for Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector at HIPA, Shimla today.

The Chief Minister said that Himachal was naturally endowed for production of fruits, vegetables, spices and other plantation crops which has vast export potential provided rights strategies should be put in place. He said that despite being a geographically challenged, State was often cited as a classic example of rapid transformation from a backward to relatively advanced State of the Country.   He added that the development process of the State example of inclusive development stands out among all Indian State wherein we have continuously registered a positive growth rate especially in sectors such as agriculture, service and Industry ensuring optimal and balanced distribution of economic resources.

Shri Virbhadra Singh said that the State Government had provided the required support for setting up of MSME centre in Shimla so as to fulfilled specific needs of enterprises to scale up their operations to international market arena wherein IIFT would be providing them with adequate inputs and training. He said that the exporters from the State especially the MSMEs would be immensely benefited from IIFT, which have vast knowledge and expertise in the field of foreign trade.

He appreciated the initiative of the IIFT to start this centre in Himachal Pradesh and hoped that it would gave impetus to the efforts of the State to excel in export sector as well in addition to other sectors of our economy which would help in generating additional employment opportunity in the State.

Earlier, Chief Minister also released the broucher of Regional Centre for MSME studies and opening of the Website of the Centre.

Dr. Surjit Mitra Director and Vice Chancellor IIFT New Delhi welcomed the Chief Minister and said that IIFT since its inspection has a National mandate to enhance India’s external trade. He said that in pursuance of this commitment, IIFT has established a Centre for MSME studies in New Delhi which had emerged as a leading knowledge Centre facilitating growth of MSMEs in the Country.   He said that in order to extend our out-reach in the Himalayan Region for the MSMEs who have vast potential, IIFT had decided to open an exclusive centre at Shimla for capacity building and empowerment of exporters. He hoped that this initiative transforms the dynamics of exports from Himalayan Region.

Dr. K.Rangaranjan Head Regional MSME Centre and Dr. Tamanna Chatruvedi, Co-ordinator IIFT also briefed out various future programmes, activities and  strategy which would be under taken by the Centre to promote export activities in the State.

Industries Minister Sh. Mukesh Agnihotri, Principal Secretary Industries Sh. R.D. Dhiman, Director Industries Sh. Rajender Thakur, Director Administrative Reforms Smt. Purnima Chauhan, Advisor Industries Sh. Rajinder Chauhan and other senior officers of the State Government were also present on the occasion.