Question : EXPORT OF COIR PRODUCTS



(a): whether the Government proposes to restore the minimum support price for coir products;

(b): if so, the details thereof; and

(c): the measures being taken to boost the export of coir products?

Answer given by the minister



MINISTER OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES & AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES(SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)


(a)&(b): There is no proposal under consideration of the Government to restore the minimum support price for coir and coir products.

(c): In order to boost the export of coir and coir products, the Government has taken the following measures:

(i) A Scheme titled, `External Market Development Assistance` has been introduced in 2000-01 to provide financial assistance to small exporters in the coir sector. This assistance consists of providing Government grants to meet major parts of the expenditure on air travel and rentals of stalls by exporters and their delegations to participate in buyer-seller meets, trade fairs and exhibitions abroad. The scheme also provides financial assistance to individual small exporters for undertaking sales-cum-study tours and participation in trade delegations, trade fairs, exhibitions, etc., abroad.

(ii) The Coir Board of the Government similarly participates in trade fairs/exhibitions, product promotion programmes and catalogue shows abroad, in order to promote export of products which do not get otherwise displayed by individual exports, etc.