Indian minister of State for Commerce Shri Jairam Ramesh has called for a greater strengthening of employment intensive export sectors.

According to a recent study conducted by RIS, a Delhi-based group, in 2004-2005, the export sector accounted for nine million direct jobs and seven million indirect jobs. The study estimates that this could double in the next five years.

Shri Ramesh said that greater priority will be given to employment intensive sectors such as leather, handlooms and handicrafts in the ongoing department of Commerce’s MDA (Market Development Assistance) and MAI (Market Access Initiative) which involves a total outlay of Rs100 crore ($21.5 million) in 2006-2007.  

Leather projects in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh and handicrafts projects in Chattisgarh are being taken up for product development, design and marketing with the help of women’s self-help groups.