Hardware exports are likely to emerge as a key area for growth in the future. This was announced by commerce secretary Dipak Chatterjee in New Delhi on Monday.
"Indian IT and services exports have registered a growth of 20 per cent, and is expected to touch 25 per cent by the end of the current fiscal. Keeping the present trends in view, hardware is expected to emerge as a key area in future," Chatterjee said.
Speaking at the launch of E-Trade Bridge for SMEs - a joint initiative of ITPO and Geneva-based International Trade Centre, he said that reducing costs for SMEs was crucial for ensuring their competitiveness.
Urging the International Trade Centre to provide assistance in creating a web-site dedicated for small and cottage industries, he said even the Exim Policy announced in March 2002 had incentives to encourage the SSI sector, particularly handicrafts to make use of the web to market their products.
Denis Belisle, executive director of International Trade Centre, said the initiative would attempt to create awareness among the SME sector, help build e-skills and create competence.