Gangtok,August28: Observing that Sikkim has great potential to export various goods ranging from cash crops to handicrafts, a top official of Exim bank today advised the state government to ensure value addition to these products for them to fetch international market and accruing revenues.The Himalayan State grows 90 per cent of cardamom of the country, a substantial quantity of ginger, and horticulture produces like orchid flowers with all these produces being in demands in foreign countries, the EXIM Bank Chairman T C Venkat Subramanian said at a seminar here.
Besides, the state has created its own niche in the domestic market as the producer of various handicraft products like carpets, woolen garments, toys and wooden items, he said, adding these products have good demands in foreign countries which the state government can tap by way of export to earn substantial revenue.
The EXIM Bank official said that the state government should ensure value addition to these products by obtaining geographical identification (GI) certificate for them to maintain their distinct identity for the purpose of export.
The bank will give 50 per cent assistance to the state government towards the expenses on GI certification on various home grown products of Sikkim, Subramanian said, adding that it will also provide other assistance to the state to market the local products internationally.
(PTI)
