Pranab Mukherjee will guide both country and govt: FIEO

NEW DELHI: Apex trade body Federation of Indian Export Organisations today said Pranab Mukherjee, who has become the 13th President of India, would be able to guide the government as well as the country.

Congratulating Mukherjee, who assumed office today, FIEO said the most suitable candidate has been elevated to the highest constitutional post.

"As one of the most experienced and senior leaders of the country, Mukherjee will be able to provide guidance to the government as well as the country," FIEO President Rafeeq Ahmed said in a statement.

The 76-year-old Congressman from West Bengal has wide and rich experience of working in key ministries, including finance, defence and commerce, making him a visionary, he said.

Over the years, FIEO had interactions with Mukherjee on various occasions, especially in seeking his help for the exports sector.

During his tenure as commerce and finance minister, he announced a bunch of measures and that improved the competitiveness of India's exports, FIEO said.

India's exports grew 21 per cent and marginally crossed the target at USD 303.7 billion in 2011-12 over the previous fiscal. The government is looking at exports of USD 360 billion in the current fiscal. PTI RK RAM RAH sa DKR 07251346