EEPC in export push to Asean

KOLKATA: As the deadline for signing the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Asean countries draws near, Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) has started its groundwork to step up engineering goods exports to that region. With small and medium enterprises (SMEs) constituting 60% of its total member strength, EEPC is keen to hone their skills to take on competition from other Asean members after the scheduled inking of the FTA in July.

In the endeavour, it has decided to conduct a series of workshops in 15 cities across the country. The prime objective is to enhance capacity of Indian SMEs post-FTA. In sync with the objective, the workshop module has been structured with focus on matters like quality improvement, adoption of cost-effective technology, IT-driven logistics and better finance management. The workshops also seek to sensitise SME engineering exporters to get themselves rated by internal and international agencies for their creditworthiness and risk management as well.

Taking these factors into consideration, the EEPC has roped in ICICI Bank, HCL Infosystems, the eastern India chapter of the Norway-based Det Norkse Veritas (DNV), Tata Teleservices and Fitch Ratings, as its partners in the awareness workshops.

Addressing the third workshop of its kind, organised by EEPC on Friday in Kolkata, EEPC chairman Rakesh Shah said with a population of 545 million, combined GDP of almost $800 billion, a total trade of about $850 million and high growth rate, Asean offers exciting commercial opportunity to Indian engineering goods exporters. So, Indian SMEs must gear up to penetrate the huge market post-FTA pact with Asean.