Modi For Impetus To Exports, Promotion Councils For States

"Until we join manufacturers in export promotion, and unless States and Centre work together, we cannot achieve new heights in exports," he said. Modi stressed the need for shifting focus from port development to 'port-led development' model to maximise gains.

The government, he said, had conceived 'Sagarmala', an ambitious project for maritime states, envisaging not merely port development, but port-led development which would include ports, SEZs, rail, road, air and waterway connectivity with the hinterland, including linkages of cold storage and warehousing facilities.

Noting that two-third of all global trade and 50 per cent of container trade happens through the Indian Ocean, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the ports sector. "Ports can become gateways to India`s prosperity," he added. 

Drawing from global experience where nations with good port facilities have achieved faster growth, Modi said coastal states in India should also seize the opportunity.

Speaking at the function earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said 23 of the 146 SEZ applicants in the state had abandoned their plans due to unfavourable policies.

Clarity of taxation, especially on the dividend distribution tax, was a key hindrance, Chavan said, requesting the Centre to bring about necessary policy changes.

In his speech, Modi said he wondered as to why the state government was unable to persuade the previous Congress-led UPA government to effect these changes.

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